Hello once more everyone, and welcome to the first Writer's Guild article for 2003!

As I have been doing for the last few issues, I will this week go over Descriptions, or how to make all those little details come alive and make a place feel as real as, well, real life!

But how does one accomplish this? Thats a good question. Over my years of writing, I have found this to be one of the more difficult aspects of writing, as I think really good writing is found not only in the heart of the people, but in the ability to make things seem so real as to see, touch, taste, smell and hear. While I will be going over settings later on in this series, for now I will focus on a more personalized approach. With my story, Cry of Echoes, I found the best thing to do with my story, which is focused right now on the Starship Nelson, is to make as best I could the sounds and sights of the bridge around my characters. With the addition of the "beeps" and "rumblings" on the bridge, I can create a sense of calmness, security and strength. By adding in crashes, sparkings, and deep explosions you can now increase tension and action tenfold.

Also, the addition of smell can add to the realism of a place. The smell of burnt ozone mixed with the frying of electric wiring can certainly send you a different image that roses and spring air.

Then of course is the description of place, the setting, using sight and touch to help add to the image you create. With touch, I kept adding in the tapping of controls, having the captain grip his armrest as the ship rocked back and forth under him. Mix in the sight aspect watching lights blink on and off, the lighting changing from soft white to blood red, can all add to the aspect you create with the senses.

While I know I could, and maybe should, continue on and add in more, I had to keep some things out for next time, when we go over what I think is the best aspect of my writing. The Setting!

May the stage be ready for us when we return! Go Carefully everyone, and Good Tidings!