Since I am writing a magical novel, I am using more lyrical language than usual in my prose. I am also a huge fan of poetry—both reading and writing. I love lyrical language. I am using it to world-build, create scenes, describe the landscape and the mood. I naturally have a bit of a lyrical bend to my work, but I wanted to push things a bit, so I created some basic exercises for myself. One of the exercises I am doing is the following:
Prompt: Describe a doorway 3 ways: enchanted, threatening, sacred. The key is to engage all the senses. The following is a brief example of my sacred door attempt.
At the end of a narrow, cobblestone street, tucked between cracked buildings The relentless noise of the traffic, and laundry lines, there is a small ashram almost hidden, as if the city itself had forgotten it. The doorway is low and crooked. Faded pots hold murky water and pink lotus buds, guardians of the narrow steps. Someone has scattered rose petals and marigolds across the threshold. I pause at the entrance and take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of flowers and gasoline—an attempt at shaking off the city.
Sight Example: Teacups drying on a towel in the kitchen though no one has used them today.
Sound: The faint whoosh of wind down the chimney, carrying the scent of saltwater.
Smell: A faint perfume lingering in the hallway — not current, but like it’s soaked into the wallpaper.
Touch: Smooth banister worn satiny by decades of hands.
If anyone feels like sharing or discussing their writing process, I would love to hear from you.
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