Matter-of-fact: usually used if the person speaking knows what they are talking about (or absolutely think they know what they are talking about).
Monotonous: this kind of voice is boring and unpleasant due to the fact that it does not change in loudness or become higher/lower.
Nasal: someone with a nasal voice sounds as if they are speaking through their nose.
Penetrating: a penetrating voice is so high or loud that it makes you slightly uncomfortable.
Raucous: a raucous voice or noise is loud and sounds rough.
Ringing: a ringing voice is very loud and clear.
Rough: a rough voice is not soft and is unpleasant to listen to.
Shrill: a shrill voice is very loud, high, and unpleasant.
Silvery: this voice is clear, light, and pleasant.
Singsong: if you speak in a singsong voice, your voice rises and falls in a musical way.
Smoky: a smoky voice is sexually attractive in a slightly mysterious way.
Soft: someone who is soft-spoken has a quiet, gentle voice.
Stentorian: a stentorian voice sounds very loud and severe.
Strangled: a strangled sound is one that someone stops before they finish making it.
Taut: used about something such as a voice that shows someone is nervous or angry.
Thick: your voice is thick with an emotion.
Throaty: a throaty sound is low and seems to come from deep in your throat.
Tight: shows that you are nervous or annoyed.
Tremulous: if your voice is tremulous, it is not steady; for example, because you are afraid or excited.
In an undertone: using a quiet voice so that someone cannot hear you.
Wheezy: a wheezy noise sounds as if it is made by someone who has difficulty breathing.
Whispery: using a quiet voice so that someone cannot hear you.
Wobbly: if your voice is wobbly, it goes up and down, usually because you are frightened, not confident, or about to cry.
Quavering: if your voice quavers, it is not steady because you are feeling nervous or afraid.
Sensory Words
* * *
Author Sue Coletta has shared the following list of sensory verbs, compiled by Cristina Malinn. These verbs are a great way of bringing immediacy to your descriptions.
Hearing
Loud
Soft
Speech
Crash
Thunder
Yell
Blare
Thud
Boom
Bang
Smash
Explode
Roar
Scream
Screech
Shout
Whistle
Whine
Squawk
Bark
Bawl
Bray
Rage
Grate
Slam
Clap
Stomp
Stamp
Jangle
Clash
Deafening
Pierce
Whisper
Sigh
Murmur
Snap
Patter
Swish
Giggle
Sing
Snort
Chatter
Drawl
Whisper
Whir
Rustle
Twitter
Patter
Hum
Mutter
Snap
Hiss
Crackle
Bleat
Peep
Buzz
Zing
Gurgle
Rush
Chime
Tinkle
Clink
Hush
Stammer
Giggle
Guffaw
Laugh
Sing
Scream
Screech
Snort
Bellow
Growl
Chatter
Murmur
Whisper
Whimper
Talk
Speak
Drawl
Other Senses
Touch
Taste
Smell
Sight
Cool
Cold
Icy
Lukewarm
Tepid
Warm
Hot
Steamy
Sticky
Damp
Wet
Slippery
Spongy
Mushy
Oily
Waxy
Fleshy
Rubbery
Tough
Crisp
Elastic
Leathery
Silky
Satiny
Velvety
Smooth
Soft
Woolly
Furry
Feathery
Fuzzy
Hairy
Prickly
Gritty
Sandy
Rough
Sharp
Thick
Pulpy
Dry
Dull
Thin
Fragile
Tender
Oily
Buttery
Salty
Bitter
Bittersweet
Sweet
Hearty
Mellow
Sugary
Crisp
Ripe
Bland
Tasteless
Sour
Vinegary
Fruity
Tangy
Unripe
Raw
Alkaline
Medicinal
Fishy
Spicy
Peppery
Gingery
Hot
Burnt
Overripe
Spoiled
Rotten
Sweet
Scented
Fragrant
Aromatic
Perfumed
Heady
Fresh
Balmy
Earthy
Piney
Odorous
Pungent
Tempting
Spicy
Savory
Sharp
Gamy
Fishy
Briny
Acidy
Acrid
Burnt
Gaseous
Reeking
Putrid
Rotten
Spoiled
Sour
Rancid
Sickly
Stagnant
Moldy
Musty
Mildewed
Damp
Dank
Stench
Dark
Dismal
Rotted
Old
Used
Worn
Untidy
Shabby
Messy
Cheap
Ugly
Ramshackle
Tired
Exhausted
Arid
Awkward
Crooked
Loose
Curved
Straight
Orderly
Formal
Crisp
Pretty
Heavy
Flat
Stout
Wide
Rigid
Narrow
Overloaded
Congested
Cluttered
Crowded
Jammed
Packed
Bruised
Tied
Stretched
Tall
Erect
Lean
Slender
Supple
Movement
Fast
Slow
Hurry
Run
Scamper
Skip
Scramble
D
art
Spring
Spin
Stride
Streak
Propel
Trot
Gallop
Drive
Dash
Bolt
Careen
Rush
Race
Zoom
Zip
Ram
Speed
Chase
Hurl
Swat
Flick
Whisk
Rip
Shove
Swerve
Smash
Drop
Plummet
Bounce
Dive
Swoop
Plunge
Swing
Fly
Sail
Creep
Crawl
Plod
Slouch
Lumber
Tiptoe
Bend
Amble
Saunter
Loiter
Stray
Slink
Stalk
Edge
Sneak
Stagger
Lope
Canter
Waddle
Drag
Sway
Soar
Lift
Drift
Droop
Heave
Other sensory words
Lithe
Lively
Muscular
Sturdy
Robust
Hardy
Strong
Healthy
Frail
Fragile
Pale
Sickly
Small
Tiny
Miniature
Timid
Shy
Nervous
Frightened
Wild
Bold
Dramatic
Tantalizing
Irresistible
Energetic
Animated
Perky
Arrogant
Imposing
Regal
Stately
Elegant
Large
Huge
Immense
Massive
Gigantic
Showy
Decorative
Dazzling
Opulent
Jeweled
Lavish
Exotic
Radiant
Fiery
Blazing
Fresh
Clean
Scrubbed
Tidy
Handsome
Pleasant
Calm
Serene
Using Smell
* * *
Author Rayne Hall has the following suggestions when it comes to smell:
The place reeked/stank of AAA and BBB.
The odours of AAA and BBB mingled with the smells of CCC and DDD.
Her nostrils detected a whiff of AAA beneath the smells of BBB and CCC.
The smell of AAA warred with the stronger odour of BBB.
The air was rich with the scents of AAA and BBB.
The smell of AAA failed to mask the stench of BBB.
The stench of AAA hit him first, followed by the odour of BBB.
Beneath the scent of AAA lay the more ominous odours of BBB and CCC.
The scents of AAA and BBB greeted her.
The smells of AAA and BBB made his mouth water.
He braced himself against the stink of AAA and BBB.
The sweet sting of gas knifed into his nose.
His nostrils flared.
(Smell) attacked his nostrils.
Professional Examples
These examples show how authors have used this technique in their fiction.
The room smelled like stale smoke and Italian salad dressing. (Michael Connelly: The Poet)
I took a couple of deep breaths, smelled rain, diesel and the pungent dead-fish-and-salt stench off the river. (Devon Monk: Magic to the Bone)
The place smelt of damp and decay. (Jonathan Stroud: The Amulet of Samarkand)
A rare south wind had brought the smell of Tyre to last night’s landfall: cinnamon and pepper in the cedar-laced pine smoke, sharp young wine and close-packed sweating humanity, smouldering hemp and horse piss. (Mathew Woodring Stover: Iron Dawn)
The smell hit her first: rotting flesh, ancient blood. (Kristine Kathryn Rusch: Sins of the Blood)
The air reeked of hot metal, overheated electronic components, scorched insulation – and gasoline. (D. Koontz: The Bad Place)
The air held the warm odours of honey and earth, of pine resin and goat sweat, mingled with the scents of frying oil and spice. (Rayne Hall: Storm Dancer)
As the off cuts fell into the dust below they released the smell of new timber that was like spring (Philippa Rees: Blerie Fockin)
I pulled in a breath, savored that heavy tang of ancient earth mingled with long-standing water (Beem Weeks: Jazz Baby)
Ways to Describe Crying
* * *
Blooming Azaleas of QuoteTV has compiled the following list of ways to describe crying, and the differences between them:
Bawling: Noisy crying, usually with whining and/or heavy breathing.
Blubbering: Unattractive, loud crying. Characterized by mutters, truncated, erratic breathing, clinched facial expressions and hunched posture.
Crying: The act of distress when tears (usually) appear.
Hyperventilate-Crying: Forceful crying causing heavy breathing, resulting in the inability to speak or produce sounds even resembling words.
Scream-Crying: Violent crying accompanied with bouts of yelling or sometimes shrieking. May also include slapping, punching or other physical expressions of distress.
Silent Tears: Soft, inaudible crying that does not draw attention. May manifest only in a single tear rolling down one’s cheek (a beat, however, that is considered overdone in literature).
Sniffling: The act of sniffling repeatedly when crying, usually after a big crying fit.
Sniveling: Audible, but soft crying, also prone to muttering and erratic breathing; May also show signs of drool or mucus.
Sobbing: Heavy crying with a large volume tears flowing steadily. Generally audible but not inappropriately loud.
Weeping: A gentler version of sobbing; Involves soft, steady stream of tears with some times lightly audible signs of distress.
Whimpering: Soft crying usually including few or no tears at all. It often incorporates muttering and/or high-pitched sighs.
Ways to Describe Snoring
* * *
Author Charles E. Yallowitz has come up with these nice similes that cover snoring.
He snores like…
a goose getting strangled underwater.
running chainsaw put through a woodchipper.
gargling mouthwash.
standard sawing of log.
a choking thing that makes me think she’s in trouble.
the gasp from a dramatic movie that requires you put your hand to your chest.
a baby elephant blowing bubbles in chocolate milk.
a tweety bird.
Ways to Describe Writing
* * *
Author Lucy Mitchell (aka Blondewritemore) has come up with these exciting ways of describing her writing progress:
“Tonight I wrote 456 words!”
“Today I nailed 1,290 words!”
“This afternoon I banged out 1,456 words!”
“I only managed to cobble together 45 words today”
“I scraped together 100 words this afternoon”
“Today I conjured up 2,500 words!”
“Tonight I rattled off 567 words!”
“This morning I whipped up 800 words!”
“Today I pumped out 765 words!”
“Tonight I hammered home 987 words!”
“I churned out 309 words!“
“Today I could only squeeze out 154
words”
“This afternoon 1,300 words gushed out of me!”
“Today I belted out 1,899 words!”
“Today I pounded out 1,900 words”
“This afternoon I blew past my goal with 1,300 words”
“This morning I coughed up 456 words”
“Today 2,300 words shot out of me”
“Boom!” (exploding fist hand action) “2,090 words!”
Acknowledgments
* * *
I wrote this book with Electra’s encouragement and for all the wonderful friends, authors and bloggers I’ve met since starting to write. Among many others, this book contains beats by:
Alicia Dean
Angela Ackerman
Beem Weeks
Blondewritemore
Charles E. Yallowitz
Cristina Mallin
C.S. Lakin
D. Wallace Peach
David Wind
Don Massenzio
Eamon Gosney
Elizabeth George
Elle Boca
Jennifer Owenby
Lara Eakins
MacMillan Dictionary (click for more ways to describe looks)
Mark Nichol
MMJaye
Paula Cappa
QuoteTV
Rayne Hall
Sue Coletta
WriteWorld (click for more alternatives to “walking”)
Writing Helpers (click for more ways to describe voices)
Thank you for sharing your beautiful words with us.
I am also grateful to Elle Boca, D.G. Kaye, Maria Messini, Rachael Ritchey and Gabriele for pointing out the mistakes in the original manuscript.
Once again, I have Alex Saskalidis and Dimitris Fousekis to thank for their beautiful art. I should also mention all fellow Indie authors—I know how hard it is what you do—and my wonderful social media followers.
To them, to my parents and to the many teachers who have taught me so much in this life, as well as to my readers, without whose support this endeavor would matter but little, I offer my deep gratitude.
About the author
* * *
Nicholas Rossis lives to write and does so from his cottage on the edge of a magical forest in Athens, Greece. When not composing epic fantasies or short sci-fi stories, he chats with fans and colleagues, writes blog posts, walks his dog, and enjoys the antics of two silly cats and his baby daughter, all of whom claim his lap as home.
His children’s book, Runaway Smile, has won the Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award among other distinctions. You can check it out for free on his blog.
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