Tactile Imagery: A description that involves the sense of touch. It tells how something physically feels to the skin.
An Example from Literature: H.G. Wells, The Time Machine
At once, like a lash across the face, came the possibility of losing my own age, of being left helpless in this strange new world.
My Try: The scratch of the sofa on the backs of her legs reminded Netty of the synthetic scrub of that shag carpet all those many years ago. In the same way that she had been abandoned there by indifference, she was again today. She wanted to feel the warm grasp of saving hands taking her by the shoulders and relieving her of this burden, but only an invisible cold palm pressed against her back, turning her toward, or maybe away from - she couldn't tell - a sharp corner. The nubs of the Berber carpet jutted up under her feet. Odd, she thought, to notice that now.
Lou Ellen waited.
"My mama, before she crawled into that freezer at the church, she left a letter. For me. For us." Netty felt the palms of her hands moisten. "It explains some things."
What do you think the letter from Netty's mama says?
(This blog post is brought to you as a part of the April A to Z Challenge.)
April 25th - Understatement
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9 comments:
Thanks for writing in depth about a subject I knew almost nothing about. wonderful,
Happy Easter.
Yvonne.
I too am finding your series on the blog very interesting. We often forget the touch sense when writing and it's so important. Now, what did Mama's letter say? Must be something about why Netty feels so unloved.
Great 'touchy feely' post - the letter is obviously a pivotal point in some way ... ummm ... oh, go on - show us it !!
Hi again
Don't know how else to answer your query about whether your comment posted on my blog - afraid it didn't ... only the one asking if it did, if you see what I mean :-)
Senses are so important to bring the reader in. I like your snippet!
I don't know what the letter would say but it's enough to give the character sweaty palms so it's either something exciting full of news that she's been waiting for all this time or it's probably something tragic that she'd never imagine. Either way, this is a good starting point.
The Madlab Post
Ooh! This should be an exciting week of revelations! I'm so looking forward to it!
Awesome post to remind us to use our senses in writing.
You did a great job, especially with this line, 'The scratch of the sofa on the backs of her legs reminded Netty of the synthetic scrub of that shag carpet all those many years ago.'
Ellie Garratt
I love your example!
Tactile imagery is something I will need to try in my own writing.
New follower... :)
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