Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The Seven Senses

JUST CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN.



I had everything in the mountains. My family. Breathtaking sights. Incomparable scents. The taste of food cooked over a campfire. The feel of a flower placed in my hands. The sound of water tumbling, quakie leaves singing in the breeze, kids laughing. 

Heaven for my soul. 
Ambrosia for the senses. 

I want to build a cabin there right now. Why not? I'll go stake a claim like in the good old days. Have me a good 'ol cabin raising. 

Sigh. I wish, I wish, oh how I wish. 

I grew up camping in the mountains. They're a deep part of me, of my feelings for my family—my parents, siblings, and now my husband and children. 

You know what? 

I can use my experience in the mountains to fuel my writing. I don't have to leave it all behind. I'll remember the ambrosia to my senses and include every sense in my book. I'll ratchet up the happiness factor with deep, emotional ties—like how my family made my mountain experience truly heaven. And I'll add conflict and trauma because yeah, it's there too. It's all there and it's all going in my book.

MAKE YOUR BOOK AMBROSIA TO THE SENSES. 


THE SEVEN SENSES. 


YEAH, FIVE SENSES DOESN'T CUT IT — I'M INCLUDING THE MIND AND THE HEART IN THE COUNT. WHAT THEY SENSE IS RICH, LAYERED AND VITAL, AND THEY GIVE THE OTHER SENSES POWER.


AH, HEAVEN!



14 comments:

Angie said...

It does sound heavenly! I want some mountain camping right about now. Don't think it's going to happen, though. You're right about seven senses. Five just isn't enough. Thanks, Brenda.

Abby Fowers said...

I love this Brenda. I am a huge mountain lover too and pray for the day I can build a cabin! It's pure heaven! I love the 2 senses that you have added. They are so vital and important. I wonder why nobody has added them before?

Danica said...

The mountains are so beautiful! I love reading books with more senses than just sight, It makes it much more real and easier to imagine.

Kim said...

Nature really is a great source of inspiration... And plus, you get smores, too :)

Kimberly Krey said...

I love this post! I love the seven senses; it's just as it should be - truly brilliant! I enjoy camping with my family too. The mountains are amazing - definitely heaven! :)

L.L. Muir said...

Yes! Camping memories are great, especially for historical road trip scenes.

...wish I were writing one of those today!

Tara Tyler said...

i love hikes and babbling brooks, and babbling =)

Chantele Sedgwick said...

I'm glad you had a good time! Being with family is the greatest. There is nothing like it. :)

Stephanie Black said...

Beautiful!

Jessie Humphries said...

I prefer the beach...but I know what you mean. Ahhh... I need a trip too!

Julie Flanders said...

What a gorgeous picture! Love the correlation between writing and the trip, fantastic idea!

Peggy Eddleman said...

That does look like heaven! I love how a trip into the mountains can make you feel like everything is right with the world, and fuel everything.

J.C. Martin said...

It does look heavenly! I know the feeling. Just got back from a little slice of paradise myself, a tiny tropical island off the coast of Malaysia, rich in wildlife and natural beauty!

Katie Dodge said...

Nature and the peace I find there definitely bump up my creativity. Great to see you the other day! :)