Simple images give your writing 3 vital levers.

1) Power
2) Depth
3) Momentum to write more! :)

What people are drawn by are not clever intellectual statements, but sensory experiences. Use the “cartwheel approach” in your composition. It’s simple and can be done by anyone, anwhere anyhow.

Choose a central character……………say James

Write 1 simple observation, James was waiting at the bus stop.

Then describe in turn what he saw, heard, felt (as in physical touch,) tasted and smelt.

Make it up as you go using one sense and then moving to the next.
You earn the right to make an abstract statement by offering concrete images first

Here’s my example:

James was waiting at the bus stop for his routine journey into the city to go to work. James s stood at the bus stop, umbrella (black) in hand raised in salute to a grey sombre sky frowning down at him. He tasted the vestiges of last night’s chilli vindaloo curry still scorching his mouth. He smelt the unmistakable but not unpleasant blue smoke that was churning out of his neighbour’s rollie. The rain poured down its metal fists beating a cacophony of sounds against the tin roof of the bus shelter. He felt the wind and smog batter against his face and turned away from the assault.

And then the abstract comment…James was about to embark upon a journey to a day from hell. OR James had left his girlfriend and the truth of the matter was that he was relieved. Very relieved.

All the Best!

Dr Jonathan Hardy
23 August 2008