In a new post on Writers in the Storm, Ellen Buikema offers more advice on using sensory language in your writing, this time focusing on the sense of taste.
“Using the power of taste in writing evokes emotions that may send readers all over the emotional map, from disgust to delight,” Buikema says. “Like smell, taste can serve as a trigger for memories.”
As practice, Buikema suggests having a taste test. Take a bite of different foods with your eyes closed and make note of your sensations. How does the food taste? How does it make you feel? She also suggests looking through your favorite books for any sentences or paragraphs that reference taste. How did the writer describe the sensation or utilize food in this scene?
Also consider how you’d use taste in various genres. The sense of taste in horror would be a considerably different experience than taste in romance or humor. Buikeman also suggests a few helpful references for describing taste:
