Welcome to Gaia! ::

READ THIS FIRST POST SO YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO.

In my high school creative writing class, we have to complete a daily Sense Book entry. Thus, I decided to post a Sense Thread in the Writers Forum.

NISHIN, WHAT DO I DO?
Abstract Words & Concrete Words
1. Someone/Anyone posts an abstract adjective or an abstract noun (emotions come to mind, but not always the case).
2. Anyone else quotes the word and, using the five senses, writes concrete imagery that he/she associates with the contributed adjective or noun.

In other words, when someone posts an abstract adjective or noun, others use the five senses to make said abstract adjective or noun into concrete imagery. The point of this thread is to share ideas and critique other's responses.

Key words here are MAKE ABSTRACT THINGS INTO CONCRETE IMAGERY. Do not contribute a concrete noun or adjective (ex: clouds). It must be abstract (ex: integrity).
*Try your best to stay away from cliches. Try to be original.* Yes, more than one person can use the same word, and you do not have to do the last suggested word in this thread; you can do the words in the previous pages.

Also, as a courtesy to others, try to distinguish your proposed word by bolding it, underlining it, coloring it, all caps, etc.

Here is an actual example:


(Some of YunieCookie's could actually be more concrete, but this is the fundamental gist of the game.) Let's say that I then suggested the word "Love." Someone else could do Love, but can do Crazy instead, or both. It's basically word-association: associate the abstract thing with something concrete.

You don't have to post a new word for others, but it is a courtesy since this thread serves to help all who participate. Yes, more than one person can do the same word, and you do not have to do the last suggested word in this thread; you can do the words in the previous pages.

You can suggest words even if they have been suggested before. This thread is quite large, and it is impractical to keep track of every single suggestion. Suggest words on the assumption that it has not been done before.

I'm sorry, but you have to think in this thread. As things come up, if they ever do, I will clarify the rules. But so far, everyone has the gist of it.

Have fun!

Oh, and try to keep off-topic chatter to a minimum. You're free to discuss imagery and writing, other people's posts, etc. as long as it stays relevant. Debate of connotative and denotative meanings of words is always welcomed, as my creative writing class frequently transitions into such topics. Critiques must be constructive.

NISHIN, WHAT IS THIS SUPPOSED TO DO?
I'm particularly fond of original concrete imagery, as a writer and a reader, but that's just me. Often times, in an attempt to show and not tell (which is always recommended), a writer sometimes has a brain fart when trying to describe something as abstract as an emotion in an original way. Using this Sense Thread, see what others come up with or, preferably, what you come up with.

Use as many senses as you can; you don't have to use them all if you really can't think of one.

NISHIN, I'M DRAWING A BLANK! WHAT ARE THE FIVE SENSES?
Sight, touch, sound, smell, and taste.
Looks like....
Feels like....
Sounds like....
Smells like....
Tastes like....
You may also put it into prose form.

NISHIN, WHAT IF I CAN'T THINK OF A WORD?
If you are at a loss of words and want to propose a word, try one of these links:
http://dictionary.reference.com/ <A basic dictionary with thesaurus capabilities
http://www.onelook.com/reverse-dictionary.shtml < A reverse dictionary that allows you to put in a definition and it will spit out words that are close, if not the exact, to the meaning.

~*~

NO SELF-PROMOTIONS unless, of course, in your signature. I want to promote my own writing blog all over the place, but I save that for my other social media accounts.

NISHIN, CAN I QUOTE THE FIRST PAGE? Yes and no. Only sections to prove a point about the rules of this thread should they ever be in dispute while I am not here. You cannot quote the entire thing; that's just annoying.


NISHIN, YOU POST SO MUCH ON GAIA. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR GOLD IF YOU DON'T QUEST FOR STUFF?
I've decided that I will donate at least 1000 gold to regulars of this thread who tell me via their siggy or profile or Journal entry that they are questing for things. Of course, that is only if I have at least 1000 gold. Depending on the size of the quest, what you have at the moment, and what I have, my donations will vary. I may even donate things to sell on the Marketplace and such (something is better than nothing).






We should try to keep it alive as long as possible, which we can do through participation and a bump if this falls off the first page. For concrete imagery everywhere, I require optimism for keeping this alive (or at least in a zombie state)!
If this thread does get kicked to the Shadow Realm, wherever that may be, then refer to Endrael's ever-useful link list. But yeah, thanks for giving this thread the kiss of death.
It gets by with a little help from its faithful fans.
I love you for loving me.
And it's here to stay, it seems. biggrin








IF THIS DOES GET KICKED TO WHEREVER-VILLE, I HAVE ONLY THIS TO SAY IN MY DEFENSE:

I do believe that, since this thread will help others develop their ability to write concrete imagery, this thread does belong in this forum. Yes, I did copy and paste this from the rules announcement and changed nothing in it (except the formatting to highlight my defense).

~*~
RULES LAST UPDATED: 6 March 2014 -- Slightly modified the rules. You may NOT suggest a concrete noun/adjective because that defeats the purpose of the game.

Exhaustion looks like old bruises clouding a pale cover of skin.

Exhaustion smells like stomach acid in an old, rotting alleyway, with the bricks deteriorating into dust.

Exhaustion sounds like the ringing of a bass drum long after it has been struck.

Exhaustion tastes like melted pills on the back of the throat, without any water to wash away the vile feeling.

Exhaustion feels like all the energy inside is being dragged out and fed to some insidious dark force which watches from the shadows.