As a writer, I spend a lot of time describing things, as I’m sure that you do.
I’m always looking for new and exciting ways to do it.
Through my research and experimentation, I have found that narrating sounds can be a powerful tool to describe a scene or set the tone of a work.
Narrating sounds is the easiest way to improve the vividness of your descriptions.
I feel that sounds add a lot of subtle richness to your writing.
But, of course, you should always use words that sound natural in the world of your story.
Words about sounds
- Bang
- Bark
- Beep
- Bellow
- Big
- Blare
- Blast
- Blat
- Bleat
- Boisterous
- Bong
- Boom
- Bray
- Buzz
- Cackle
- Cacophonous
- Cheep
- Chime
- Chirp
- Clack
- Clang
- Clank
- Clap
- Clatter
- Click
- Clink
- Cluck
- Clunk
- Crack
- Crackle
- Crash
- Creak
- Ding-dong
- Drip
- Drum
- Fizz
- Glug
- Gnash
- Gobble
- Grate
- Grind
- Groan
- Growl
- Grumble
- Grunt
- Gurgle
- Hiss
- Hoot
- Howl
- Hum
- Jangle
- Jungle
- Knock
- Mew
- Moan
- Moo
- Murmur
- Neigh
- Patter
- Peal
- Peep
- Ping
- Pop
- Pound
- Pow
- Pulse
- Purr
- Put-put
- Rap
- Rat-a-tat
- Rattle
- Ring
- Rip
- Roar
- Rumble
- Rush
- Rustle
- Scream
- Screech
- Scrunch
- Shriek
- Sizzle
- Slam
- Snap
- Snarl
- Snort
- Splash
- Splutter
- Sputter
- Squawk
- Squeak
- Squeal
- Squish
- Stamp
- Swish
- Swoosh
- Tap
- Tear
- Throb
- Thud
- Thump
- Thunder
- Tick
- Ticktock
- Tinkle
- Toot
- Trill
- Twang
- Wail
- Wheeze
- Whine
- Whir
- Whisper
- Whistle
- Yap
- Yelp
- Zap
Writing about sounds can be easy or difficult depending on how you approach it.
I hope that the prompts I gave here will help you write more vivid stories with sounds that come alive.
If you still have a morning commute, I find that being alone in your thoughts while going through the motions is an educational opportunity to work on your novel, poem, or screenplay by making you more observant.
There are myriad sounds that you can work with and name on your own.
Who knows, you might even come up with a word that’s not on this list.
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