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Health & Fitness

Blogging from A to Z Challenge: S is for Senses

My theme for the Blogging from A to Z challenge is Creativity. To be creative, we rely on our senses, and many creative processes make use of a few or all of the senses.

I have to remind myself to incorporate all the senses into my writing. Descriptions of setting, for instance, are richer and more realistic if you describe the entire environment. This is a helpful article about descriptive writing and the five senses.

The five senses are also important to other creative endeavors.

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Sculptors and potters use a strong sense of touch in their work. Sound is important to those who use chisels or other tools. I imagine those who work with clay enjoy that smell.

I know when I paint, just the smell of the acrylics or oils gets my creative juices flowing.

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Musicians, of course, rely on sound, but the feel of the instrument is a big part of playing: the pressure of the keys on a clarinet or piano, for instance. I’m not a singer, but I imagine they feel a vibration or resonance in their throats.

Cooks use all the senses: the sizzle of the onions striking a hot pan, the smell of chopped herbs, the taste of a tangy vinaigrette dressing, the blast of heat on your face when you open the oven door, and the sight of a composed salad: dark green spinach glistening with olive oil, plump red strawberries, and white crumbled feta.

Can you think of other ways the senses are used for creativity?

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