5 Alive: Tapping Your Senses

Good writing thrives on sensory detail! This workshop prompts you to use each of your five senses to generate new work. At the outset, GrubStreet will provide a selection of objects to touch and ask you to choose one, then write whatever comes to mind. The same for smell. Then the class go outside to find sights and sounds. Here, you’ll be prompted to make a list of 5 sights and 5 sounds, then write about one of each.

The class concludes with a selection of snack foods to use as prompts for taste. The practice using each of your senses in your writing will pay off when you want to incorporate sensory detail in longer, more polished pieces.

You will leave with a handout of excerpts from authors who effectively use sensory detail.