creative writing about a crowded place

Writing Nestling

How To Describe A Crowded Place In Writing (10 Important Tips)

In the intricate dance of storytelling, the ability to vividly portray a crowded place is a skill that breathes life into the pages of literature.

Describing a bustling, teeming environment requires a delicate blend of observation, atmosphere creation, and the adept use of language.

From the pulse of the crowd to the subtle interplay of individual stories, the art of capturing a crowded place in writing goes beyond mere enumeration; it delves into the realm of sensory engagement, transporting readers to the heart of the bustling scene.

In this exploration, we will unravel the techniques that transform words into a living, breathing tapestry, where each detail contributes to the vibrant atmosphere and the collective energy of the crowd becomes a palpable force.

Join us on a literary journey as we uncover the nuances of describing crowded places, discovering the keys to unlocking immersive and evocative storytelling.

Table of Contents

How To Describe A Crowded Place In Writing

Certainly! Describing a crowded place in writing involves capturing the sights, sounds, and atmosphere to convey the sense of busyness and congestion. Here’s a step-by-step process:

Observation

Begin by carefully observing the crowded place. Take note of the people, their activities, and the overall environment. Pay attention to details such as clothing, facial expressions, and gestures.

Setting the Scene

Start your description by setting the scene. Mention the location, time of day, and any relevant context. This provides readers with a foundation for imagining the crowded place.

Sensory Details

Engage the senses by describing what you see, hear, and feel. Mention the colors, shapes, and movement of the crowd. Include sounds like chatter, footsteps, and background noise. Describe any tactile sensations, such as the warmth of bodies close together.

Focus on Individuals

Highlight specific individuals in the crowd to add depth to your description. Choose a few people and describe their appearances, actions, or emotions. This helps readers connect with the scene on a personal level.

Movement and Flow

Describe the ebb and flow of the crowd. Discuss how people navigate through the space, whether smoothly or with difficulty. Mention any bottlenecks or areas of congestion.

Emotions and Energy

Convey the emotions and energy of the crowd. Are people excited, stressed, happy, or impatient? Use descriptive language to capture the overall mood and atmosphere.

Comparisons and Metaphors

Use comparisons and metaphors to enhance your description. For example, liken the crowd to a swarm of bees or a sea of humanity. This adds richness to your writing and helps readers visualize the scene.

Organize Your Description

Arrange your observations in a logical order. You may want to start with a broad overview and then zoom in on specific details. Consider the flow of your writing to guide readers through the crowded place.

Avoid Clichés

Be mindful of clichés and try to use fresh, original language. Instead of relying on common phrases, find unique ways to express the intensity and density of the crowd.

Editing and Revision

After the initial draft, review and revise your description. Ensure that your language is vivid and evocative. Trim unnecessary details and refine your writing to create a clear and immersive picture of the crowded place.

Observational Techniques

In the intricate dance of storytelling, observational techniques are the virtuoso notes that compose the symphony of vivid description.

Imagine wielding a magnifying glass as your pen, zooming into the minutiae of existence to reveal the pulsating heartbeat of life.

It’s not just about seeing; it’s about peering beyond the surface, noticing the imperceptible tremors that ripple through the ordinary.

It’s the art of capturing the delicate interplay of light and shadow, the fleeting expressions etched on faces, and the subtle choreography of movement that brings a narrative to life.

Observational techniques are the alchemy of perception, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary, and allowing the writer to paint with the colors of nuance and detail, creating a world so palpable that readers can almost feel the heartbeat of the words on the page.

Detailed Observation

Detailed observation is the compass that guides the writer through the uncharted territories of storytelling. It’s the commitment to unwavering attention, a conscious decision to not merely glance but to immerse oneself in the rich tapestry of surroundings.

It’s about dissecting the ordinary and discovering the extraordinary in the nuances that might otherwise slip unnoticed into the background.

Detailed observation unveils the secrets woven into the fabric of existence, peeling back layers to expose the vibrant core of authenticity.

It’s a journey into the microscopic, a deliberate act of seeing beyond the obvious, where every flicker, every crease, and every whisper of existence becomes a brushstroke in the masterpiece of description.

Through detailed observation, the mundane transforms into the extraordinary, and the writer becomes a meticulous curator, selecting and presenting the world in all its intricacy to captivate the reader’s imagination.

Creating a Vivid Atmosphere

Creating a vivid atmosphere is akin to being a literary sorcerer, conjuring realms of emotion and sensation with the stroke of a pen.

It’s not just about words on a page; it’s about orchestrating an entire sensory symphony that wraps readers in a tapestry of immersive experience.

Imagine the atmosphere as a living, breathing entity—birthed from the fusion of time, weather, and the very essence of a place.

It’s the warm embrace of sunlight on a bustling street, the ominous shroud of fog weaving through ancient alleys, or the electric buzz of anticipation in the air before a storm.

Through the magic of vivid atmosphere creation, a story transcends its narrative boundaries, inviting readers to not only read but to inhale, feel, and taste the very essence of the world unfolding before them.

It’s an art that goes beyond description; it’s an invitation to step into the pages and dance within the atmospheric dreamscape.

Setting the scene is the writer’s invitation to the reader, a carefully crafted portal that beckons one to step into the canvas of imagination.

It’s the art of sculpting the initial impression, a delicate dance between words that paints the backdrop against which the narrative unfolds.

Picture it as the first brushstroke on a blank canvas, setting the tone for the entire masterpiece. Whether it’s the soft glow of dawn casting long shadows across a sleepy village or the neon-lit hustle of an urban junction at midnight, setting the scene is about more than just time and place; it’s about cultivating the atmosphere that breathes life into the story.

Through this narrative threshold, readers are transported to worlds both familiar and fantastical, where the air is thick with anticipation and every detail, from the creaking floorboards to the distant hum of traffic, plays a crucial role in shaping the immersive experience.

Capturing the Essence of Crowds

Capturing the essence of crowds is akin to sculpting with chaos—a delicate dance between the cacophony of individual stories and the collective heartbeat of a bustling hive.

It’s not just about numbers; it’s about distilling the vibrant kaleidoscope of humanity into a potent elixir of energy and diversity.

Imagine a tapestry woven from the laughter of children, the hurried whispers of lovers, and the rhythmic footsteps of passersby, each thread contributing to the grand narrative of the collective human experience.

It’s about encapsulating the ebb and flow, the choreography of movement, and the symphony of overlapping conversations that compose the urban ballet.

In the midst of this human tapestry, the writer becomes a storyteller-architect, constructing narratives from the mosaic of lives converging and diverging in a ceaseless dance of existence.

Capturing the essence of crowds is not just a literary endeavor; it’s an immersive plunge into the heartbeat of the human mosaic.

Describing Movement

Describing movement is akin to translating the silent poetry of existence into the language of motion. It’s about capturing the dance of life, the rhythm that courses through the veins of both animate and inanimate.

Imagine the fluidity of a city street during rush hour—the pendulum-like sway of pedestrians, the balletic choreography of vehicles navigating the urban symphony.

Movement is the heartbeat of a scene, the invisible force that shapes the atmosphere and lends vitality to the narrative canvas.

Whether it’s the graceful flutter of leaves caught in a whimsical breeze or the purposeful stride of a character crossing a room, describing movement is about more than just locomotion; it’s about evoking the very essence of existence, where every step, every gesture, becomes a brushstroke in the living painting of a story.

It’s the art of imbuing stillness with rhythm, turning moments into a choreographed spectacle that pulses with the heartbeat of life.

Managing Point of View

Managing point of view is the narrative tightrope walk, where the writer dons the shoes of an omnipotent puppeteer or slips seamlessly into the skin of a singular protagonist.

It’s not merely a choice between “I” and “they”; it’s the architectural blueprint that shapes the reader’s lens into the story’s soul.

Imagine the writer as a skilled illusionist, masterfully revealing and concealing perspectives, unlocking secret chambers of emotion or guarding them with a literary sleight of hand.

Managing point of view is the deliberate act of framing the narrative through a specific prism, whether it be the intimate confessions of a first-person narrator or the panoramic omniscience that spans the entire universe of the story.

It’s about orchestrating the unveiling of truths and mysteries, inviting readers to be either confidantes or voyeurs in the grand theater of words.

In the realm of storytelling, managing point of view is not just a stylistic choice; it’s the wielder of narrative power, shaping perceptions and unraveling tales with the finesse of a literary sorcerer.

Choosing the Right Perspective

Choosing the right perspective in storytelling is akin to selecting the perfect lens for a captivating photograph; it frames the narrative and shapes the reader’s connection to the unfolding tale.

It’s a deliberate decision that molds the very essence of the story, determining whose eyes the audience will peer through and, consequently, whose emotions and experiences will be intimately shared.

Picture the writer as a cinematic director, carefully choosing between the intimacy of first-person narration, offering the raw, unfiltered emotions of a single protagonist, or the panoramic vista of third-person omniscience, providing a broader canvas to explore diverse characters and intricate plotlines.

The chosen perspective is the narrative compass, guiding readers through the labyrinth of the author’s imagination.

In this literary realm, selecting the right perspective isn’t just a technical choice; it’s the alchemy that transforms words into immersive experiences, forging a unique connection between storyteller and audience.

Balancing Detail and Focus

Balancing detail and focus in writing is akin to wielding a finely tuned camera, where the aperture must delicately adjust to capture the nuances without drowning the audience in a visual cacophony.

It’s a dance between the microscopic and the panoramic, a literary tightrope act that allows the writer to unveil the intricacies of a scene while maintaining a sharp, coherent narrative edge.

Imagine crafting a mosaic where every tile contributes to the larger picture without overshadowing the central theme.

Balancing detail and focus is the art of selectivity, akin to a master chef choosing the perfect ingredients to concoct a culinary masterpiece.

Too much detail can overwhelm, like an overzealous brushstroke, while too little may leave the canvas barren. It’s about finding that elusive equilibrium, where each descriptive element is a note in the symphony, harmonizing to create an immersive and resonant reading experience.

In the realm of storytelling, the balance between detail and focus isn’t just a technical feat; it’s the secret recipe that transforms words into a vivid, living tapestry.

Selective Detailing

Selective detailing in writing is the art of wielding a finely honed scalpel, surgically extracting the most potent elements to illuminate a narrative without drowning it in excess.

It’s the literary equivalent of capturing the essence of a moment through a keyhole, revealing only what is essential for the reader’s imagination to construct the complete scene.

Imagine a painter choosing brushstrokes with meticulous care, creating texture and depth with each deliberate stroke.

Selective detailing is not about drowning the reader in a surplus of information but rather inviting them to become co-creators of the narrative, allowing their minds to fill in the gaps.

It’s a dance of omission and revelation, where every chosen detail serves a purpose, resonating with significance and contributing to the overall atmosphere of the story.

In this intricate dance, the writer becomes a curator, presenting a carefully curated collection of details that, when woven together, create a tapestry that is both evocative and immersive.

Crafting Engaging Dialogue

Crafting engaging dialogue is akin to composing a symphony of spoken words—a delicate harmony that resonates with the rhythms of the human experience.

It’s not merely characters exchanging sentences; it’s the art of infusing conversations with the electricity of authenticity, the ebb, and flow of emotions that ripple through every spoken syllable.

Imagine the dialogue as a vivid tapestry woven from threads of personality, each character a distinct hue in the verbal palette.

Crafting engaging dialogue is about more than conveying information; it’s about revealing the intricate dance of relationships, the unspoken tensions, and the unsung melodies that linger between spoken lines.

It’s a choreography where words become a tangible force, propelling the narrative forward with the pulse of genuine human interaction.

In this realm, the writer transforms into a linguistic virtuoso, orchestrating dialogues that are not just exchanges but resonant notes in the grand composition of storytelling.

Utilizing Overheard Conversations

Utilizing overheard conversations in writing is akin to discovering a hidden treasure trove of authentic human expression.

It’s the art of eavesdropping on the unscripted symphony of life, where snippets of dialogue become the raw, unfiltered cadence of genuine communication.

Imagine wandering through a crowded cafe, each whispered confession and animated discussion a brushstroke on the canvas of inspiration.

Utilizing overheard conversations allows a writer to capture the spontaneity of real-life exchanges, infusing narratives with the rhythm and idiosyncrasies of authentic speech.

These fragments of dialogue carry the weight of truth, injecting an air of realism that resonates with readers, as if they, too, are surreptitiously sharing a clandestine moment in the lives of characters.

It’s more than transcription; it’s the alchemy of turning everyday conversations into narrative gold, breathing life into characters and adding a layer of richness to the storytelling tapestry.

Addressing Emotional and Psychological Aspects

Addressing emotional and psychological aspects in writing is akin to delving into the labyrinth of the human soul, where ink becomes the mirror reflecting the complexities of our innermost realms.

It’s the art of sculpting emotion with words, chiseling away the superficial to reveal the intricate architecture of feelings and thoughts.

Imagine the writer as a psychological architect, constructing characters not just with flesh and bone but with the intricate blueprints of their hopes, fears, and aspirations.

Addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of a narrative is not about merely narrating events; it’s about orchestrating a symphony of sentiment that resonates within readers.

It’s the exploration of the shadowy corners of the mind, where the light of empathy shines brightly, inviting readers to traverse the corridors of joy, pain, and everything in between.

Conveying Emotions

Conveying emotions in writing is akin to distilling the intangible into the tangible—a nuanced dance that transforms the ephemeral landscape of feelings into palpable words .

It’s about weaving a tapestry of emotion through carefully chosen phrases, where the resonance of every sentence echoes with the heartbeat of the characters and the pulse of the narrative.

Imagine the writer as an emotional alchemist, transmuting raw sentiments into a language that resonates universally.

It’s not just about telling readers what a character feels; it’s about inviting them to experience the emotional kaleidoscope firsthand.

Through well-crafted prose, the subtle nuances of joy, the weight of sorrow, the electric jolt of excitement, and the quiet ache of longing are not just described but are lived and felt.

Conveying emotions is an art of empathy, a bridge connecting the writer’s imagination with the reader’s heart, forging a bond that transcends the boundaries of the written page.

Concluding the Description

Concluding the description is akin to the final stroke of a painter’s brush, where every carefully chosen detail finds its place in the mosaic of imagery.

It’s the grand curtain call, the moment when the narrative whispers its last secrets and gracefully exits the stage.

Imagine the writer as a literary architect, placing the cornerstone of the conclusion with precision and purpose.

This is not a mere wrapping up; it’s the art of leaving lingering imprints on the reader’s imagination. Like a masterful magician revealing the grand finale, concluding the description is about balancing revelation and restraint, offering closure while leaving room for the echoes of possibility.

It’s the final chord in a symphony of words, resonating in the minds of readers long after the last page has turned.

In this concluding act, the writer bids farewell to the crafted world, allowing the story to linger like a wistful melody that refuses to be forgotten.

Summarizing Key Impressions

Summarizing key impressions is the writer’s penultimate act of distillation, a meticulous process of capturing the very essence of an intricately woven narrative.

It’s like crafting a literary snapshot, condensing the vivid tapestry of details into a concentrated elixir that lingers in the reader’s mind.

Imagine a storyteller as a curator, carefully selecting the most poignant strokes from the canvas of words. This summary isn’t a mere recapitulation; it’s a deliberate curation of impressions that have left an indelible mark on the reader’s senses.

It’s about distilling the emotional crescendos, the sensory nuances, and the characters’ defining moments into a concentrated bouquet, allowing readers to savor the lingering aftertaste of the narrative journey.

Summarizing key impressions is the art of crystallizing the story’s soul, leaving readers with a resonant chord that echoes long after the final word has settled.

Editing and Polishing

Editing and polishing are the sculptor’s meticulous touch, refining the raw marble of a narrative into a masterpiece.

It’s the alchemical process where words are not just rearranged but are meticulously chiseled, sanded, and polished to reveal their true brilliance. Imagine the writer as an artisan, carefully crafting each sentence until it gleams with precision and purpose.

This is not a mere exercise in grammar; it’s the surgical precision of a literary surgeon, removing the extraneous to expose the story’s beating heart .

Editing and polishing transcend the realm of correction; they elevate the prose to a symphony of language, where every word resonates in harmony with the narrative cadence.

Like a jeweler with a precious gem, the writer refines each sentence until it sparkles, leaving readers with a polished gem of storytelling that shines with the brilliance of careful craftsmanship.

Fine-Tuning Language and Tone

Fine-tuning language and tone is akin to a composer adjusting the notes of a melody until it resonates with the perfect harmony.

It’s the writer’s refined brushstroke, delicately applying nuances to language and tone to evoke the precise emotional response intended.

Imagine words as musical notes, and tone as the rhythm that guides their dance. This process is more than a cosmetic touch-up; it’s an orchestration of words, ensuring that every syllable and intonation contributes to the symphony of the narrative.

The writer becomes a linguistic sculptor, molding the prose into a vessel that carries not just meaning, but the very mood and atmosphere of the story.

Fine-tuning language and tone isn’t just about correctness; it’s the art of infusing the narrative with the subtlest shadings, creating an immersive experience that resonates deeply with the reader’s sensibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions about How To Describe A Crowded Place In Writing

How can i effectively capture the atmosphere of a crowded place in my writing.

To convey the atmosphere, focus on sensory details—describe the sights, sounds, and even tactile sensations. Engage your readers by illustrating the colors, movements, and energy of the crowd.

Is it necessary to include specific individuals in my description of a crowded place?

While not mandatory, spotlighting individuals adds depth. Choose a few people and describe their appearances or actions. This personalizes the scene, making it more relatable for readers.

How can I portray the movement and flow of the crowd in my writing?

Discuss how people navigate through the space. Highlight any congestion points or smooth pathways. Using terms like “ebb and flow” helps convey the dynamic nature of the crowd.

What role do emotions play in describing a crowded place?

Emotions are crucial! Capture the mood of the crowd—whether excitement, stress, or impatience. Integrating emotional elements adds a layer of realism to your description.

Are comparisons and metaphors effective in describing crowded places?

Absolutely. Use creative comparisons to enhance your description. For instance, liken the crowd to a bustling marketplace or a swirling vortex of activity. Metaphors provide readers with vivid mental images.

Should I start with a broad overview or immediately focus on specific details?

It depends on your writing style, but consider starting with a broad overview to set the scene before zooming in on specific details. This allows readers to grasp the context before delving into the intricacies of the crowded place.

How do I avoid clichés when describing a crowded place?

Be conscious of overused phrases. Strive for originality by finding fresh ways to express density and intensity. Instead of relying on clichés, use unique language to capture the essence of the crowd.

Is there a recommended order for organizing the description of a crowded place?

Arrange your observations logically. Start with a general portrayal and then delve into specific details. Ensure a smooth flow that guides readers through the crowded place, creating a coherent and engaging narrative.

How can I make my writing about a crowded place more immersive?

During editing, refine your language for vividness and clarity. Trim unnecessary details, and focus on creating an immersive experience by emphasizing key sensory elements that draw readers into the crowded environment.

Are there any tips for balancing detail and conciseness in describing a crowded place?

Strike a balance by including enough detail to paint a vivid picture without overwhelming readers. Prioritize significant elements that contribute to the overall atmosphere while avoiding unnecessary minutiae.

In conclusion, describing a crowded place in writing is an art that involves a thoughtful blend of observation, sensory engagement, and creative expression.

By focusing on the sights, sounds, and emotions within the bustling environment, writers can create a vivid and immersive portrayal.

Incorporating specific details about individuals, movements, and the overall atmosphere enhances the reader’s connection to the scene.

Utilizing comparisons, metaphors, and original language adds richness and uniqueness to the description, steering clear of clichés.

Whether starting with a broad overview or diving straight into specifics, a well-organized narrative ensures a smooth flow that guides readers through the crowded place.

Finally, during the editing process, refining language for clarity and immersion allows the writer to strike a balance between detail and conciseness, delivering a compelling and memorable depiction of a crowded setting.

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SkyLightRain

For writers, daydreamers and innovators, how to evoke a sense of place.

Judy Darley offers advice on capturing the essence of a place in journalistic and creative writing.

As a travel and fiction writer I have a strong awareness of the importance of a sense of place in all kinds of writing. Sights, sounds and smells all add up to an evocative image for the reader, and keep them interested in the story, whether it’s a piece of fiction or a feature.

Open any story or feature with a few words of description about where your scene is taking place, and you immediately provide the reader with a tangible image to hold on to as your tale unfurls. A location can set a tone, a mood, and conjure up an atmosphere far more adeptly than a lengthy description of your main actors’ feelings and actions.

Transport your reader

Storytelling is about transporting the reader, which makes the ability to create a believable setting one of the most important skills for a writer, whether the piece you are writing is factual or fiction, set in a real location or a fantasy land you’ve dreamt up. Handled well it can provide you will a wealth of metaphors, both overt and utterly subtle, that will enrich the tale you are trying to tell, and help add weight to the point you are making, and to exemplify the themes of your story.

One writer who was very good at doing this was JRR Tolkein. The Lord of the Rings  trilogy is largely about the conflict between good and evil, and Tolkein used his description of fictional settings to underline this in each scene. Think about the “new green of Spring”, “shimmering in the fields and on the tips of the trees’ fingers” in the Shire inhabited by hobbits, compared with bleak Mordor’s “dead land, silent, shadow-folded, waiting for some dreadful stroke.”

Consider the context

In my short story Restoration two sisters are volunteering at a restoration project in a Victorian cemetery; if they had been volunteering at the local charity shop or donkey sanctuary the restoration of their relationship would have taken a very different tone. The setting is key in providing a sense of mortality, and underlying the problems in the relationship between the women.

Highlight your characters’ emotions

The location for your story can also offer a means of highlighting your characters’ states of mind, with a grey, dreary cityscape providing the perfect backdrop for an emotional breakdown. Equally effective is a setting that sits at odds with the protagonist’s inner turmoil, such as a character in mourning wandering through a beautiful summer garden where everything is bursting with colour and life.

These kind of details slide into the reader’s mind without them really registering it, but it will ensure that they soak up your character’s sorrow, happiness or fear all the more successfully.

Drive up the drama

In Willy Russell’s play Shirley Valentine , which was made into a film with Pauline Collins in the title role  in 1989, the exotic setting of Greece served as a strong contrast to Shirley’s humdrum existence in the UK. The two, vividly different, backdrops emphasises the emotional changes Shirley goes through as she blossoms from a downtrodden wife who’s so bored with her life that she talks to the wall to a gleeful, skinny-dipping vixen who has rediscovered a more spontaneous, confident side of herself.

David Charles Manners is the author of In the Shadow of Crows , published by Signal Books . Like Willy Russell, he uses the location in his novel to represent both the physical and emotional backdrop of his characters. “In the Shadow of Crows the protagonists are forced by circumstances beyond their control to abandon all that is familiar, taking the reader with them into alien worlds of constantly changing landscapes, cultures and languages. I wanted the reader to experience something of the intensity of that shifting sense of place, in order that they might share the characters’ awe, bewilderment and, at times, alarm as they pass through these foreign realms in their search for refuge and personal redemption.”

Give your location a voice

Monica Ali, the author of the award-winning Brick Lane , Alentejo Blue  and In The Kitchen , has always found the setting of her novels as important as the characters. While Brick Lane  and In The Kitchen  both unfold in the UK, Alentejo Blue  is set in the Portuguese region of Alentejo, which provides a completely different palette for her descriptions.

“Sense of place is really important to me. In Alentejo Blue  it was almost the main character, given voice by the multitudinous characters of villagers and visitors. To give voice to a place you need to develop a chorus. A sense of place comes through an accretion of detail.”

A setting gives you ample opportunities for using colourful adjectives – think beyond the clichés of blue skies to shocking azure, rich cobalt. For a hot summer setting, think hibiscus, bougainvilleas, geraniums and orange blossom, while in a English autumn consider the smell of damp leaves on the ground, cars hissing by on wet roads, breath misting in the air.

Engage all your senses to draw an evocative scene – what herbs can you smell, what birds and insects can you hear, how does the ground feel beneath your bare feet? How does the scent of roasting coffee taste in the back of your throat?

Capture the essence

During a trip to the Alentejo region so well captured by Monica Ali, I made notes about the desserts made from egg yolks, ground almonds and sugar. Though I don’t have a sweet tooth myself, I knew they would offer my readers a shortcut to the type of places I was visiting, the evidence of Moorish influences that still remain and the simple pleasures the inhabitants enjoy.

Yes, views of ancient villages, wheat fields, olive groves and cork forests are all important ingredients of the portrait of the Alentejo, but those vast, sweet sticky cakes seem to contribute something no amount of glossy descriptions can.

The sense of taste is almost as firmly linked to memory as smell, which makes it the perfect tool for a writer intent on conjuring up a credible scene, as the reader fills the space between the lines with their own experiences of places similar to the one the writer describes. The more convincingly the writer does this, the more successfully the completed novel, travel feature, short story or poem will resonate with the reader.

Enjoy the journey

With straightforward travel writing, as opposed to travel memoir, your editor will often have a particular focus in mind, and whether that’s gastronomy, property or a particular hotel group, it will necessarily underpin your depiction of a place. Word counts need to be strictly adhered to, which means that each and every sentence needs to be as tight as possible, which puts a stop to lengthy descriptive passages, and relies more than ever on your ability to inject a sense of place into a few brief sentences.

Hannah James, the former editor of Real Travel Magazine, understands this only to well, both through the features she edits and those she writes herself.

“A great trick to help evoke a sense of place is to provide more than simply factual information. Try and take the reader there, include information about every sense – not just sight. Tell them what is sounds like; describe the smells that wafted towards you; how does if feel – is it humid, cold, crowded, empty? This literally brings a place to life. Readers want to be taken away, whether it’s to a fictional destination or a factual one. Evoking a real sense of places is exciting and makes your writing become real.”

4 thoughts on “ How to evoke a sense of place ”

Really enjoyed this post. Makes me want to write about my travels!

Indeed, place or setting can be a ‘character’ in its own right. It can not only convey the mood of a character, by the Pathetic Fallacy (‘the clouds glowered at him’), but it can also influence a character’s actions as emphatically as an actant in the story. ‘If the clouds had not glowered at me that morning, I might have taken a stroll and escaped the horror that followed.’

It’s a great mistake to drop in ‘setting’ like a backdrop to a stage drama. Make it work hard!

Lovely – just what I was searching for.Thanks for taking the time to write and post it.

Thanks, that is what I was looking for.

Comments are closed.

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How to Describe a Market in a Story

By A.W. Naves

Are you writing a chapter set in a busy market? Make it vivid by using the tips below on how to describe a market in a story. We’ve included 10 adjectives that you use.

1. Bustling

Lively, busy ; full of activity and energy.

“The market was bustling with vendors and shoppers, all haggling for the best deals.”

“The bustling market was so infectious that you couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement.”

How it Adds Description

The word “bustling” suggests that the market is crowded with people, vendors, and goods, all in a constant state of motion. It can create a feeling of chaos or suspense as the characters navigate through the crowds to reach their destination or it can serve as a backdrop for an important event or conversation between characters.

2. Colorful

Vibrant, vivid ; full of bright colors and hues.

“The market was a riot of color , with vendors selling fruits and vegetables in every shade.”

“The colorful displays of merchandise and goods were a feast for the eyes.”

The word “colorful” implies that the market is full of different types of people, goods, and experiences. It suggests that the market could be home to unsavory characters or illegal activities that foreshadow a pivotal scene in the story where a character faces a challenge or obstacle that must be overcome.

3. Traditional

Classic, old-fashioned ; keeping with long-established customs or practices.

“The market was filled with traditional crafts and goods, made by skilled artisans using age-old techniques.”

“The traditional foods on offer at the market were a throwback to an earlier time.”

The word “traditional” suggests that the market has been established for a long time and adheres to customary or historical practices. It implies a sense of familiarity, consistency, and reliability, and may connote a slower pace of change or resistance to innovation. It may emphasize a sense of nostalgia or loss if the market is being threatened by outside forces or changing times.

Loud, raucous ; full of shrill sounds and commotion.

“The market was noisy with the sounds of vendors shouting and people bargaining for deals.”

“The noisy market could sometimes be an assault on the senses.”

The word “noisy” insinuates that shoppers are talking loudly, vendors are calling out to potential customers, and various sounds of merchandise being sold can be heard. It can create a sense of tension or chaos in the scene or reveal something about the character’s personality or perspective, such as if they find the noise overwhelming or energizing.

Unusual, unfamiliar ; not of native origin.

“The market was filled with exotic spices and fruits from far-off lands.”

“The exotic textiles and fabrics on display were unlike anything I had ever seen before.”

The word “exotic” suggests that the items being sold there are unusual. This can create a sense of intrigue and interest in the market, as well as imply that the characters in the story may be exposed to new and exciting experiences. The market might also be used as a source of valuable items or information that the characters need to progress in a quest or to solve a mystery.

6. Aromatic

Fragrant, perfumed ; full of pleasant smells.

“The spices and herbs at the market were aromatic , wafting through the air and tantalizing the senses.”

“The aromatic odor of freshly baked bread filled the market, drawing in buyers with its delicious scent.”

The word “aromatic” is often used to describe the pleasant, distinctive smell of certain foods, spices, and herbs. It creates a sensory experience for the reader, allowing them to imagine the scents and flavors of the various products being sold. This can help to create a sense of atmosphere and set the scene for the action that is to come.

7. Multicultural

Diverse, varied ; reflecting different cultures and ethnicities.

“The market was a multicultural hub of activity, with vendors and shoppers from all over the world.”

“The multicultural atmosphere of the market was a celebration of diversity and inclusivity.”

The word “multicultural” indicates that the market in the story is diverse and includes people from many different backgrounds. This can lead to interesting encounters, conflicts, or collaborations between those who visit the market. It may also suggest that the story will touch on themes of cultural identity, diversity, and inclusivity.

Loud, thunderous ; full of busy sounds.

“The market was a noisy cacophony of sounds with shoppers haggling and chatting.”

“The noisy atmosphere of the market was a reflection of its lively and bustling character.”

The word “noisy” conveys a sense of chaos, commotion, and activity. It can be used to show a character who is trying to navigate through a crowded market to reach a specific stall, or trying to eavesdrop on a conversation to gather information with the noise and activity making it more difficult for them to find their way. This can add depth and texture to the story.

9. Eclectic

Diverse, varied ; combining elements from a variety of sources.

“The market was an eclectic mix of goods from around the world, with vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry to exotic spices.”

“The eclectic atmosphere of the market was a testament to its diversity and inclusivity.”

The word “eclectic” describes a market that is composed of a diverse range of items, styles, or sources. It suggests that the market is not just a typical place to buy goods, creating opportunities for the plot to develop in unexpected ways, such as the character discovering an important clue, meeting a key character, or encountering a major obstacle.

10. Organic

Natural, unprocessed ; grown or produced without synthetic chemicals.

“The market was a haven for organic produce, with farmers selling fresh fruits and vegetables grown without pesticides or other chemicals.”

“The organic market was a welcome break from the processed and packaged foods found in most grocery stores.”

The word “organic” suggests that the products sold at a market are natural and wholesome. It conveys themes of health, sustainability, and consumerism in a story. A character seeking healthy food options or trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle might be drawn to the organic market as a source of high-quality, environmentally friendly products.

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How To Write About Place In Creative Nonfiction

Dec 26, 2017 by Kayla Dean published in Writing

You may have seen the title of this post and thought I was going to talk about travel writing . But that’s not the only genre of creative nonfiction in which you can write about place! A common misconception about writing about place in creative nonfiction is that you have to write about particularly exotic spaces. Consider that debunked : as we previously discussed, you don’t have to be a world traveler to write about your life. Everyone has unique experiences and takeaways that can be gleaned from their work.

Creative nonfiction presents some great opportunities to write meaningfully about the places you’ve lived in and traveled to as well as place your unique stamp on a locale, even if it is well-known. Like Virginia Woolf in London, Balzac in Paris, and Joyce in Ireland, you can write about place, too!

Define Place

In his essay, “How to Write Creative Nonfiction: Writing about Place”   Dave Hood reminds us to expand beyond physical location by including elements like culture, language, values, and customs:

“In creative nonfiction, the place or location where the event or experience took place is more than just about the name of the place. It is also the physical location of the place, the physical attributes, such as the urban setting of crowds, pollution, public transit, traffic jams or the rural setting of open spaces, fewer people, fields, farms, and small communities.”

Don’t just treat the places you write about as a backdrop or an image. Place can be both setting and character, and the implications of that can be far-reaching in our work. When given its due consideration, place can make the early lines of a piece dazzle. Use this to your advantage by brainstorming sublime, unusual, or even pedestrian experiences to provide that ideal impetus for the beginning of your work.

Hood adds that writers should also consider the meaning and significance of a place for them, and includes a great checklist to print out and tape to your desk when writing about place.

Interweave Other Narratives Into Yours to Compare/Contrast

If you haven’t been somewhere, you can’t write about it as if you have. But you can approach writing about a place by summarizing, analyzing, and weaving narratives together from writers who have visited or lived there. Above, I mentioned seminal writers and the places they are commonly associated with. Read writers that are affiliated with the places you want to write about. What point of view did they lend to our understanding of that place? Did they unfairly obscure its reality or open the door to greater understanding?

Right now, the essay form is one of the most malleable there is: You can include other experiences, literary works, historical perspective, philosophy, or science in your narrative. While this may range depending on the publications you wish to write for, it’s possible to lend texture to your work by adding these varied cultural pieces to your own perspective while still relying on moments from your life as a lens. And of course always make sure to cite properly if you quote an author!

Take a Walker’s Perspective

Besides looking at photos, you may feel that you have to stick with your imagination to remember a place. But the vast range of resources online makes it possible for us to envision space beyond even our memories. Just as you might write about a place you’ve never been in a fiction piece, walk it in Google Maps. Has the place changed since you’ve visited? Does it look different in earlier views? This could be potential material.

If you can access the place, it may also be helpful to simply take a walk. Although many of us do write on keyboards indoors, don’t limit yourself to your living room when considering narrative possibilities. What sights, smells, and sounds are out there? How do you feel as a walker on that street? What stands out to you? Asking questions are helpful to a city walker. Also, your unique perspective as a walker can lend a lot to your narrative. It may not feature as the main point, but can do a lot for your approach to the story you want. As Rebecca Solnit writes in Wanderlust: A History of Walking,

“Walkers are ‘practitioners of the city,’ for the city is made to be walked. A city is a language, a repository of possibilities, and walking is the act of speaking that language, of selecting from those possibilities . Just as language limits what can be said, architecture limits where one can walk, but the walker invents other ways to go.”

This is not entirely literal: writers are walkers, navigating their own path towards a narrative that works. Sometimes there are snags because we get lost and scrap material, but this does not have to be a bad thing. Solnit helps us understand that we are selecting from those possibilities and should shift to view writing as a freeing rather than frustrating exercise. This might also allow you to come up with new things to notice and new inventions that don’t rely on older realities.

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How to Describe a City in Writing (100+ Best Examples)

Crafting compelling descriptions of cities is a skill that can vividly immerse your readers in your narrative.

Here’s how to describe a city in writing:

Describe a city by considering its size, culture, age, geography, architecture, infrastructure, economy, climate, landscape, and nightlife. Each characteristic offers a unique perspective, allowing you to craft a vivid, engaging description. Tie your description to your theme.

This article will guide you through the process of describing a city, focusing on ten crucial elements that add life and color to your descriptions.

10 Elements for Describing a City in Writing

Table of Contents

When describing a city in writing, you need to know these 10 elements:

Architecture

Infrastructure.

Next, let’s explore each of these elements in more detail and provide examples of how to apply them to your own stories.

Size refers to the scale of a city in terms of its physical extent and population.

By mentioning the size, you set a foundation for the readers, giving them a sense of the city’s vastness or compactness.

Words to Describe the Size of a City in Writing

• Densely populated
• Medium-sized

Examples of Describing a City by Size

• Sprawling across the landscape like a behemoth, the metropolis swallowed the horizon whole.
• With a population exceeding millions, the city buzzed with ceaseless activity.
• The dense network of streets formed a compact, labyrinthine cityscape.
• It was a small city, where everybody knew everybody.
• The city was vast, its boundaries stretching as far as the eye could see.
• Its towering skyscrapers were a testament to its grandeur and size.
• Nestled in the valley, the city covered a small area, yet housed a myriad of cultures.
• The size of the city was deceptive; it was more densely populated than it appeared.
• The city was a sprawling canvas of urbanity, cutting across county lines.
• The petite city was neatly crammed into a pocket of the mountainside.

Culture comprises the beliefs, traditions, arts, and history that influence a city’s way of life.

Highlighting the culture paints a vivid picture of the people, customs, and ethos that define the city.

Words to Describe the Culture of a City in Writing

• Traditional
• Cosmopolitan
• Multicultural
• Conservative
• Progressive

Examples of Describing a City by Culture

• The city was steeped in ancient traditions, echoing its ancestral roots.
• Its lively arts scene painted the city with an irreplaceable cultural vibrancy.
• The city was a melting pot of diverse cultures, blending seamlessly into one another.
• The annual festival was a cultural extravaganza that transformed the city into a carnival.
• The city was synonymous with classical music, its soul resonating in symphony.
• The local cuisine, a testament to the city’s rich culture, left a tantalizing aroma in the air.
• An artistic hub, the city was a cradle of avant-garde movements.
• The city’s cultural tapestry was woven with threads of countless ethnicities.
• The city wore its history like a proud badge, its culture speaking volumes of its glorious past.
• The city was a cultural cocktail, stirred with vibrant arts, and timeless traditions.

The age of a city refers to how long it has existed, which is often reflected in its architectural style, infrastructure, and historical landmarks.

Describing the age can transport your reader back in time or into the future.

Words to Describe the Age of a City in Writing

• Prehistoric
• Contemporary

Examples of Describing a City by Age

• The city’s ancient walls were steeped in history, whispering tales from centuries ago.
• The futuristic skyline was a testament to its recent establishment.
• Age-old monuments punctuated the city, standing tall as symbols of its venerable past.
• The city was a blend of old and new, where modernity met antiquity.
• Modern skyscrapers towered over the city, evidence of its recent urban development.
• The city was an enduring relic of the Medieval Age, its cobblestone streets weaving tales of yore.
• With buildings dating back to the Victorian era, the city was an open history book.
• Despite its youthful age, the city wore an old soul.
• The city was a testament to the future, a spectacle of cutting-edge technology and sleek architecture.
• Age-old traditions thrived amidst the modern cityscape, telling tales of a city that respected its past.

Geography describes the city’s location, its physical features, and how these factors influence the city’s character and lifestyle.

Words to Describe the Geography of a City in Writing

• Mountainous

Examples of Describing a City by Geography

• The city was built on hills, its houses twinkling like stars on an undulating landscape.
• Its coastal location made the city a paradise for beach lovers.
• Tucked between mountains, the city was a serene oasis in a rugged setting.
• The desert city was a mirage of golden sands and sparkling oases.
• The city was a confluence of rivers, forming a scenic waterfront that buzzed with life.
• Surrounded by dense forests, the city was an island of urbanity in a sea of wilderness.
• The coastal city was a playground of surf and sand, where the sea kissed the cityscape.
• The city was a picturesque valley carved into the heart of the mountains.
• A city of islands, it was a constellation of vibrant urban life amidst the tranquil sea.
• The city was an urban jewel nestled in the heart of the vast plains.

Architecture refers to the style and character of the city’s buildings and structures.

It speaks to the city’s history, culture, and technological progress.

Words to Describe the Architecture of a City in Writing

Examples of describing a city by architecture.

• Gothic spires and Romanesque arches painted a canvas of architectural marvels.
• The cityscape was a fusion of Brutalist concrete and sleek glass towers.
• Traditional thatched cottages adorned the city, a spectacle of rustic charm.
• The city was a palette of Art Deco buildings, their geometric patterns a testament to its rich architectural legacy.
• Modern skyscrapers dotted the city skyline, interspersed with green terraces and solar panels.
• The city was a sprawling labyrinth of narrow alleys, flanked by ancient terracotta houses.
• The city was a spectrum of architectural styles, from Victorian houses to modern lofts.
• The city’s architecture was a reflection of its sustainable ethos, with green roofs and walls covered in foliage.
• The city’s colonial architecture narrated tales of a bygone era.
• Futuristic architecture characterized the city, with self-sustaining buildings and smart infrastructures.

Infrastructure speaks to the functionality of a city – its roads, bridges, public facilities, and utilities.

It provides insights into the city’s level of development and organization.

Words to Describe the Infrastructure of a City in Writing

• Well-developed
• Sustainable
• Disorganized

Examples of Describing a City by Infrastructure

• The city boasted an intricate network of subways, making commuting a breeze.
• Its wide boulevards were lined with trees, merging functionality with aesthetics.
• The city had a robust public transportation system that kept its lifeblood flowing.
• Advanced telecommunication infrastructures turned the city into a global hub of digital innovation.
• Its well-planned bike lanes made the city a paradise for cyclists.
• The city was illuminated by solar-powered streetlights, a testament to its green infrastructure.
• The city’s skywalks connected buildings, forming a labyrinth above the hustle and bustle.
• The city’s efficient waste management system kept its streets clean and green.
• The city’s infrastructure was a seamless blend of urbanity and nature.
• The city was a beacon of technological prowess, its infrastructure speaking volumes of its progress.

The economy of a city speaks about its wealth, main industries, and job opportunities.

It gives the reader a sense of the city’s prosperity or lack thereof.

Words to Describe the Economy of a City in Writing

• Impoverished
• Agricultural
• Technological

Examples of Describing a City by Economy

• The city was a bustling hub of commerce, its markets buzzing with activity.
• It was an industrial city, its skyline punctuated with factories and smokestacks.
• The city’s booming tech sector attracted talent from around the globe.
• Its struggling economy painted a city in decay, with boarded-up storefronts and desolate streets.
• The city was a hub of finance, home to towering banks and bustling stock exchanges.
• A rich agricultural economy defined the city, its verdant farms a testament to its wealth.
• The city thrived on tourism, its bustling streets a carnival of foreign faces.
• The city was an emblem of prosperity, its thriving economy lifting people out of poverty.
• Despite the economic downturn, the city held onto its vibrant spirit, a testament to its resilience.
• The city’s economy was a vibrant tapestry of trade, services, and manufacturing.

Climate characterizes the city’s weather patterns throughout the year.

It can deeply influence a city’s culture, lifestyle, and even architecture.

Words to Describe the Climate of a City in Writing

• Mediterranean
• Continental
• Subtropical

Examples of Describing a City by Climate

• The city was blessed with a temperate climate, keeping it lush and vibrant all year round.
• Its harsh winters painted the city in shades of white, with frost-etched buildings and snow-blanketed streets.
• The tropical climate kept the city in a perpetual state of summer, with azure skies and sun-kissed streets.
• The city was a desert, its climate oscillating between scorching days and frigid nights.
• The city’s Mediterranean climate filled it with fragrant breezes and clear, sunny days.
• The city was caught in an eternal spring, awash with blooming flowers and chirping birds.
• The city experienced four distinct seasons, painting a vivid palette of changing landscapes.
• The city was infamous for its torrential rains, transforming its streets into rivulets.
• The city’s harsh climate made it a fortress of solitude, its cold winters keeping outsiders at bay.
• The city’s mild climate was a relief to its residents, offering respite from extreme weather.

Landscape refers to the natural and artificial features that shape the city’s terrain and overall visual appearance.

Words to Describe the Landscape of a City in Writing

Examples of describing a city by landscape.

• The city was a symphony of undulating hills and glass-and-steel towers.
• Its landscape was punctuated with verdant parks, like emeralds set in concrete.
• The city was a mosaic of picturesque canals and charming footbridges.
• The city’s landscape was a spectacular blend of towering cliffs and sweeping beaches.
• The city’s landscape was dominated by a majestic mountain that stood as a silent sentinel.
• The city was a concrete jungle, a dense matrix of buildings interspersed with occasional pockets of green.
• The city’s vast plains stretched to the horizon, a vast checkerboard of farmland and urban clusters.
• The city was characterized by its dramatic coastline, where jagged cliffs met the roaring sea.
• The city was nestled in a lush forest, its buildings camouflaged amongst the towering trees.
• The city’s landscape was a harmonious blend of the old and new, where verdant vineyards met sprawling shopping malls.

Nightlife includes the after-dark activities that a city offers – from dining, music, and theater to clubs, bars, and other entertainment venues.

It reflects the city’s vibrancy and energy when the sun sets.

Words to Describe the Nightlife of a City in Writing

• Nonexistent
• Underground
• Sophisticated

Examples of Describing a City by Nightlife

• The city came alive at night, its streets pulsating with lights and music.
• The city’s nightlife was a whirlwind of neon signs, lively bars, and pulsating dance floors.
• The city was famous for its jazz clubs, their sultry tunes wafting into the night.
• The city’s vibrant night markets were a treasure trove of culinary delights.
• The city’s nightlife was a spectrum of opera houses, theaters, and art galleries, enriching the cultural fabric.
• The city’s skyline glittered with rooftop bars, offering panoramic views of the starlit cityscape.
• The city’s after-hours was a playground for night owls, teeming with nightclubs and music venues.
• The city’s tranquil nights were a respite from the bustling days, its streets bathed in the soft glow of streetlights.
• The city was a nocturnal paradise, its nightlife teeming with gourmet restaurants and wine bars.
• The city’s night scene was a melting pot of cultures, its streets resonating with music from around the world.

Here is a good video about how to describe a city in writing:

3 Full Examples of City Descriptions in Writing

Here are three full examples of how to describe a city in writing.

Nonfiction Essay

Los Angeles is a sprawling city, spreading across a vast, flat coastal plain nestled between mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Its multicultural nature is palpable, a melting pot where hundreds of cultures converge to create a rich tapestry of humanity. From Little Tokyo to Olvera Street, the city offers cultural enclaves that transport visitors to different corners of the world.

The architecture of Los Angeles tells a tale of its age and history.

From the contemporary designs of downtown skyscrapers to the Spanish Colonial Revival structures that pay homage to the city’s early days, LA offers a visual feast of architectural styles. Infrastructure-wise, Los Angeles is a car-centric city, known for its iconic freeways, yet, it is also actively expanding its public transportation system.

The climate in LA is Mediterranean, providing its residents with sunshine nearly all year round.

This, combined with the city’s picturesque landscape of rolling hills and sandy beaches, contributes to the quintessential Southern Californian lifestyle. The nightlife in Los Angeles, known for its glitz and glamor, mirrors the city’s reputation as the entertainment capital of the world.

Mystery Novel

The city of Edinburgh, ancient and mysterious, was shrouded in a veil of fog.

Narrow, winding streets wound their way up and down the city’s undulating terrain, past centuries-old Gothic buildings that seemed to hold whispered secrets in their cold stone. The towering Edinburgh Castle, perched atop an extinct volcano, cast long, eerie shadows across the Old Town, lending an air of mystique.

Despite the Scottish capital’s gloomy weather, the city was alive with culture. The annual Fringe Festival transformed the streets into a vibrant tapestry of theatre, music, and dance. Meanwhile, tucked away in the corners of the city were hole-in-the-wall pubs, where folk music hung heavy in the air.

Even in the dead of night, the city refused to sleep.

The pubs and clubs of the Royal Mile, teeming with locals and tourists alike, created an eclectic nightlife. The cobblestone streets echoed with faint laughter, ghostly footfalls, and the faint skirl of bagpipes, imbuing the city with an aura of enchanting mystery.

Romance Novel

Venice, with its endless maze of canals and charming footbridges, seemed to have been woven from dreams.

It was an intimate city, its compact geography fostering a unique, close-knit culture. The melodies of the gondoliers’ serenades drifted through the air, their words telling tales of age-old love stories.

The city’s Gothic architecture, ornate and elegant, reflected in the shimmering waters of the Grand Canal. The iconic Rialto Bridge, a testament to Venice’s architectural prowess, served as a lover’s meeting spot, its stone balustrades bearing witness to countless stolen kisses.

The Venetian economy thrived on tourism and the arts, its numerous mask shops, and glass-blowing factories testifying to the city’s artisanal heritage.

Venice was a city that never hurried. Its pace was defined by the gentle ebb and flow of its canals.

As twilight descended, the city transitioned from a bustling tourist hub to a serene sanctuary. The street lamps flickered to life, casting a romantic glow on the cobblestones. The serenade of the gondoliers intertwined with the soft whispers of the wind, composing a nocturnal symphony that was the heartbeat of this city of love.

Final Thoughts: How to Describe a City in Writing

Before you type “THE END” to your story, essay, or piece of writing, consider how your city weaves into the tapestry of your narrative.

Particularly, how your city embodies and exposes the theme.

Related Posts:

• How to Describe a Dog in Writing (100+ Examples)
• How to Describe the Wind in Writing (100 Words + Examples)
• How To Describe a House in Writing (21 Tips for Beginners)
• 400+ Words to Describe a Flower Garden: Best Writers Guide

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How Having a Writing Community Stimulates Creativity

Mary gannon and kevin larimer on finding your people.

Whether it’s found in crowded rooms or email folders, Twitter threads or Facebook group chats, community is as deeply necessary to a writer as reading. It is a source of assistance, understanding, and camaraderie. It is an exchange of ideas, a wellspring of inspiration, and sometimes, quite literally, a lifeline. But community is also give-and-take; it’s collaborative, mutual, organic. This idea of community —and the notion of being a good literary citizen within that community—is tossed around so often that we can lose track of exactly what we mean when we use those words. So let’s take a moment.

For most of us, two opposing forces are exerting pressure within our minds as writers. Not quite seismic in strength, they nevertheless result in a paradox that each of us must resolve in our own way. We can all agree that in order to write, one must work, at least the majority of the time, in relative solitude. Editing, revising, and publishing are collaborative, no doubt, and even some kinds of writing (such as the exquisite corpse, in which a poem or story is collectively assembled) are accomplished with others, but for the most part it’s you, and you alone, using the tools of your trade: your intellect and your emotions, your eyes and your fingers. You might be writing by candlelight in a remote cabin somewhere in the Adirondacks, or behind the closed door of your pantry turned office in the middle of the night, or on the couch while the baby takes her afternoon nap.

Even if you’re writing in a crowded Starbucks, finishing the fourth tercet of your villanelle while the barista yells out the name of the person whose Triple Venti Half Sweet Non-Fat Caramel Macchiato is ready, you’re still acquiescing to the seclusion your writing requires, albeit in a very modern setting: At its core, this is between you and the words on the page or the screen, no one else, at least in the first stages of drafting a piece of writing. And of course there is something very, very exciting about that: You are the author of that world.

Writing is a solitary act, but as writers, as creative people, we also crave feedback, we want company (as long as it comes at the right time), we want validation, and we want to feel like we’re not alone in our compulsions. It is our very solitude that fuels our desire for solidarity, for community. At some point in your life, you first felt the excitement—mixed with the relief—of realizing that you were talking to someone who understands a little something about your life as a writer, with all of its demands, routines, superstitions, eccentricities, confusions, and wonders. Isn’t that a tremendous feeling? Maybe not as great as the realization or confirmation that you’ve just written a truly great poem, or the thrill of typing the final period of your novel, but still worth chasing.

First, it’s helpful to attempt a deeper understanding of why community is important to us.

One could say that by virtue of being a writer you are automatically a member of the community of writers in this country. But this loose affiliation, awesome in a Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon sort of way, is pretty limited. If you’ve ever felt like a stranger walking the aisles of a huge bookfair—like the annual one organized by the Association of Writers & Writing Programs, held in a different city each year and typically attended by more than ten thousand people—you know that it can be exciting, but perhaps not as personally rewarding as we need it to be. (Are we the only ones who feel a little anxious walking into a massive crowd of people who comprise our “community” at its most general level?)

Still, it is important to recognize our community on that scale for two reasons. It affirms our commitment to writing (See, I’m not crazy, look at all these other fools blindly pursuing a dream that rarely pays dividends!) and it shows us the size and strength of the infrastructure that exists to support writers: how many resources, activities, and energies are devoted to writing and the various industries that have grown up to celebrate, support, and capitalize on it.

Just by virtue of being a published author one can join the Authors Guild, “a professional organization dedicated to supporting and protecting the writing life for all working and aspiring authors.” There is certainly a degree of validation—perhaps a sense that you’ve “arrived,” not to mention benefits such as contract reviews and legal advice—that comes from being a card-carrying member of such an organization; the Authors Guild represents community in a broad sense of the term. As does a subscription to a trade magazine or literary journal. It feels like you’re participating in—and caring about and supporting—a shared project of literary expression. It would be difficult to overestimate the power and importance of such a feeling. If you’re surrounded by family members who don’t read books for personal enjoyment, or who don’t value “clarity of thought and feeling,” as Tracy Kidder and Richard Todd put it, you know how important it is to get that magazine in the mail every two months, or to visit the website that’s devoted to the work of writers just like you, who hold it as one of life’s principal values.

But these days, when so much of our “social activity” is accomplished by tapping a heart or a thumbs-up icon (which is not to say that plenty of writers aren’t able to cultivate meaningful followings on social media, where real expressions of emotion, reasoned opinions, and constructive criticism are possible, if not common), writers are more hungry than ever for in-person interactions and a sense of community that is marked by an actual conversation or collaboration and is punctuated by a handshake or even—come on, let’s admit it, we all need one once in a while—a hug.

Whether it’s a huge industry event or a more intimate gathering of friendly writers, community is a feeling that you are among your people. Maybe it’s a group of literary essayists who grew up in the same relatively underserved area of Oklahoma talking about the geography of memory, or it’s fiction writers in Alaska who want to address the issue of climate change through their work, or it’s essayists who gather to discuss markets for their writing, or poets who meet to talk about prison writing and the language of incarceration. Or it’s an open mic held in the back room of a hotel bar every other Tuesday evening. Or a writing group that shares work online every week and meets in person every month for a submission party. From community you can get a sense of belonging, but you can also clarify your sense of self. You can get motivation from community, accountability, support. You can feel recognized, and you can feel a part of something larger than yourself.

Community is also an important part of the creative process because it stimulates us and our thinking, sometimes pushing us further and deeper into our projects. In his book Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation , Steven Johnson explains how everything that happens in your brain is, technically speaking, a network, and that good ideas have signature patterns in the networks that make them:

“To make your mind more innovative, you have to place it inside environments that share that same network signature: networks of ideas or people that mimic the neural networks of a mind exploring the boundaries of the adjacent possible. Certain environments enhance the brain’s natural capacity to make new links of association.”

We would argue that a healthy, stimulating community is the perfect example of an environment that promotes creative thinking. Like an organic, flesh-and-blood version of the commonplace book, a community allows for connections among writers and their ideas and observations. To say nothing of the emotional support, educational exploration, and camaraderie that community can provide.

For some writers, that feeling of validation, of support and community, can fill a void created by generations of marginalization, by institutional racism and the failure of social, political, and literary institutions to acknowledge and extend their missions and services to underserved communities. In recent decades there have been a number of literary organizations that have been formed with the express goal or mission of providing support and a sense of community for specific, historically underrepresented groups of writers such as African American poets (Cave Canem), Asian American writers (Kundiman and the Asian American Writers’ Workshop), Latinx writers (CantoMundo), Arab American writers (Radius of Arab American Writers, or RAWI), queer writers (Lambda Literary Foundation), and disabled writers (Zoeglossia). These organizations and many more like them—see the list of 15 National Organizations Serving Writers and Writing at the back of this book—host readings and organize retreats, sponsor literary prizes, maintain websites that offer valuable information, and/or offer other literary activities that can be life-changing.

Poet and attorney Reginald Dwayne Betts saw the retreat sponsored by Cave Canem, a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 “to remedy the under-representation and isolation of African American poets in the literary landscape,” as a kind of home. “Cave Canem opened up the space to think about who I was, and for me that meant it gave me permission to chase the thing that might make me weep. And what is writing, if not this?” he writes. The retreats organized by Kundiman, a nonprofit founded in 2004 to provide “a safe yet rigorous space where Asian American poets can explore, through art, the unique challenges that face the new and ever changing diaspora,” fostered a similar feeling of belonging in Duy Doan, winner of the Yale Series of Younger Poets prize for We Play a Game . “I would never be able to overemphasize the positive impact that the Kundiman retreats have had on me—writing, musing, connecting with other Asian–Pacific Islander American writers, being taken in by a richly talented and generous community,” he writes.

The point is, community means different things to different people, but for everyone it’s a vital source of some key ingredients of the writing life. It’s easy enough to say that writing is all about placing yourself in a chair and grinding it out, you and the words, applying pressure to the rock until diamonds appear in the dust. Solitary seduction, suffering, and success. And it is that—until it isn’t. Then there is a need to share, commiserate, question, discover, inspire, and be inspired with others. When you find the right people, it’s a beautiful, necessary miracle: Your world opens up, the universe expands, and guess what? You’re no longer alone.

__________________________________

From The Poets & Writers Complete Guide to Being a Writer by Kevin Larimer and Mary Gannon. Copyright © April 7th, 2020. Reprinted by permission of Avid Reader Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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Descriptive Essay

Descriptive Essay About A Place

Writing a Descriptive Essay About A Place - Guide With Examples

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Are you writing an essay about a place and need to know where to start?

The beauty of the world lies in its diversity, and every place has something unique to offer. A descriptive essay can bring these places alive for readers. But the question is, how do you write one?

Don't worry! We've got the right answer for you!

With a few examples and some tips on crafting your own essay, you can write it easily.

So read on to find good samples and tips to follow!

• 1. Understanding Descriptive Essays
• 2. Examples of Descriptive Essay About Any Place
• 3. Tips for Writing an Excellent Descriptive Essay About A Place

Understanding Descriptive Essays

A descriptive essay is a type of writing that aims to describe and portray an object, person, or place. The essay typically includes sensory details to help the reader imagine its contents more vividly. Descriptive essays can be written about a person , place, or other themes like nature , autumn , food , or even yourself .

A descriptive essay about a place should provide enough details for the reader to build a mental image of it. To do this, you need to include vivid descriptions and relevant information that could paint a picture in their minds.

Let's read some examples to see what a good descriptive essay looks like.

Examples of Descriptive Essay About Any Place

Here are some descriptive writing about a place examples:

Example of a Descriptive Essay About a Place

Descriptive Essay About a Place You Visited

Descriptive Essay About a Place Called Home

Descriptive Essay About a Place You Loved as a Child

Descriptive Essay About a Place of Interest I Visited

Descriptive Essay About a Favorite Place

Do you need more sample essays? Check out more descriptive essay examples t o get inspired.

Tips for Writing an Excellent Descriptive Essay About A Place

Now that you've read some examples of descriptive essays about places, it's time to learn how to write one yourself. Here are some tips on writing a great essay:

Choose The Right Topic

The topic of your essay should be something that you have a strong connection to or feeling about. It could be a place you've visited recently or a place from your childhood. Moreover, make sure that it's something that you can write about in enough detail to make your essay interesting.

Check out this blog with 100+ descriptive essay topics to get your creative juices flowing.

Gather Information

Gather as much information as possible about the topic of your essay. This will help you craft vivid descriptions and portray an accurate picture for your readers. Gather your observations, research online, and talk to people who have visited the place you're writing about.

Make sure to research the topic thoroughly so you can provide accurate and detailed descriptions. Read up as much as you can about the history of the place, and any interesting facts or stories about it.

Structure Your Essay

Outline your descriptive essay before beginning to write so all points flow logically from one to another throughout the entire piece.

Make sure to include a strong introduction and conclusion, as well as several body paragraphs that help support your main points.

Include Sensory Details

Use sensory language by including details such as sights, smells, tastes, sounds, etc. This helps to engage readers and transport them into the setting of your essay.

When writing a descriptive essay, make sure to include vivid descriptions that involve all five senses. This will help create a more engaging and immersive experience for your readers.

Use Vivid Language

Make sure to use strong and powerful words when describing the place you're writing about. Use metaphors and similes to bring your descriptions to life and make them more interesting for readers.

Proofread Your Essay

Proofreading is an important step in any writing process, especially when it comes to descriptive essays. Make sure to check for any typos or spelling errors that may have slipped through in your writing.

You also need to make sure that the flow of your essay is logical and coherent. Check if you've used a consistent point of view throughout, and make sure that all ideas are well-supported with evidence. 

Follow these tips and examples, and you'll be well on your way to writing a great descriptive essay.

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Describing a Place| Tips, Techniques, & Examples

Describing a place paragraphs.

When describing a place , you have to be able to use all of the five senses so that the readers feel as if they are there too. An easy way to do this is by using adjectives to describe what you see, hear, touch, taste and smell while you are in the environment . The human brain is a powerful instrument , one that we shouldn’t take for granted.

Descriptive Writing about a Place- Some Techniques to Describe a Place

If you want to describe a place, you will need to use some specific adjectives and verbs . To start, you might want to use general words like “beautiful,” “serene,” or ” majestic.” However, these words alone will not give your reader a clear picture of the place. You will need to be more specific. For example- If you are describing a mountain, you might say that it is “covered in snow” or that it has “a jagged peak.” If you are describing a forest, you might say that it is “dense with trees” or that it has “a thick canopy of leaves.” By using specific adjectives and verbs, you can give your reader a much clearer picture of the place you are trying to describe. So finally let’s sum up –

When describing a place, it is important to include as many sensory details as possible. Describe what you see, hear, smell, and feel.

Be sure to use vivid language to bring the reader into the scene. Here are some tips on how to describe a place: 1.Use all five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste means if you ate something at the place you are describing. 2.Be as specific as possible with your adjectives. Instead of saying “nice,” try “splendid,” “gorgeous,” or “wonderful.” 3.Create a mental image for the reader by including as many sensory details as possible. What does the place look like? What does it sound like? What does it smell like? What does it feel like? 4.Use active verbs and strong adjectives to create an engaging description. 5.Vary your sentence structure to keep the reader engaged. Use simple sentences, complex sentences, and short paragraphs. 6.Paint a picture with your words and help the reader feel like they are there in the moment with you.

There are many different ways to describe a place. Some people might describe the physical features of the place, while others might focus on the emotions that they feel when they are there.

Here are a few examples of how you could describe a place:

Example of Describing a Happy Place like Beach- The sound of the waves crashing against the shore, the smell of salt in the air, and the feel of sand between my toes; these are some of the things that come to mind when we think of a happy place like beach. Example of Describing a Happy Place like Home- To me, home is a place where I can be myself and relax. It’s a place where I am surrounded by people who love and support me. It’s a place where I feel safe and secure. Example of Describing a Happy Place like Park- The park is my favorite place to go to clear my head. It’s a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city, where I can forget about my troubles and just enjoy nature. Here are some examples of adjectives and phrases that could be used to describe different places: Example of Describing a Comfortable Cottage by the Sea Side A small, cozy cottage by the sea: The cottage was small and cozy, with whitewashed walls and a thatched roof. It sat right on the water’s edge, with a small dock where you could tie up a boat. The waves lapped at the shore, and seagulls cried overhead. Example of Describing a Bustling Busy City Street: The street was busy and noisy, with cars honking and people shouting. The sidewalks were crowded with people rushing to get where they were going. The air was thick with smog and the smell of garbage. Example of Describing a Peaceful Forest: The forest was quiet and peaceful, with tall trees shading the path. Birds sang in the branches, and squirrels chattered in the leaves. A cool breeze drifted through the woods, making the leaves rustle softly. Example of Describing an Uncomfortable Place like a Small Room: The room was small and cramped, with bare walls and a single window. It smelled musty, as if it hadn’t been aired out in months. The only sound was the drip of water from a leaky faucet. The air was heavy and oppressive. The floor was cold and damp. Example of Describing a Nice Place like Garden: The garden was a riot of color and scent. Flowers of every hue filled the air with their fragrance. Birds sang in the trees, and insects buzzed among the flowers. The grass was soft and cool beneath my feet. Following are a few links for the examples of describing a place. Click the links below and learn-

1.Describing Place: An Angry Mob

2.describing place: a railway station, 3.describing place: my school, 4. describing place: a visit to a historical place, 5. describing place: hill station, 6. describing place: indian village, people also ask:.

1. How do you describe a beautiful place? Ans : When giving a description of a place, the use of all five senses will help make it come alive. Consider what you see, the sounds that surround you, what you smell and taste, and how it feels to be in this place. Using as many adjectives will create an immersive experience for your readers.

2.What words best describe a place? Ans : The best words to describe a place would be the adjectives that can be used to describe it. These would include words like beautiful, stunning, majestic, and so on.

3. How do you describe a place in a short story? Ans : You can use all five senses to describe a place in a short story. For example, you can describe the sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and textures of a place. You can also use similes and metaphors to describe a place.

Search for creative inspiration

19,890 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,964 themes

Streets - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

• a car on a highway
• a city dweller
• crowded place
• longboarding
• notice board
• paving stones
• People walking
• storm in the city
• street dance
• street music
• tarmac road
• troubled times
• wheels turning

The blacktop streets absorb the spring sunshine as if intent upon sending heaven's warmth back through my soles.

The streets absorbed the emotions in the air, the city as the steady and reassuring mother.

The streets were a marriage of sounds, from bicycle wheels to chattering.

In the refreshing light of early daytime, the streets had the hues of artistic dreamtime, soft yet bold pastels.

Cobbled streets flowed as happy rivers in sunlight.

The streets are the most private of public spaces, much the same as walking in a country lane in some rural place. Yet if you are okay with solitude, if you matured passed the point of loneliness to feel your own worth, there is a vibrancy here that can uplift the soul. All around there are moments of kindness, fleeting smiles and gestures of appreciation that are the beauty on this canvas of weathered grey. We are separate, it's true, but we are together too. These streetlamps that light the way in every nighttime are ours, as brilliant as any landing strip for skyborne pilots.

Street food made these roads our home in ways that bind the soul.

These streets grow skyward as if each home were an oak of ancient times.

Those streets that bore our soles, bore our souls, for they were the spaces of free music, dance and song.

The rain-washed blacktop streets carried us home.

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[IELTS Speaking] Describe a Crowded Place

Posted by David S. Wills | May 17, 2021 | Speaking | 0

In the midst of this awful pandemic, it may be hard for many of you to remember crowded places. I live in the countryside and so I generally don’t visit many places that are full of people, but of course it is sensible for everyone to try to avoid such situations.

Still, for IELTS you might be asked to describe a crowded place you have visited . This is a cue card that may appear in part 2 of the speaking test. In today’s lesson, I am going to show you how to answer it fully and effectively.

Table of Contents

Cue card: describe a crowded place, talking about crowded places, structuring your answer.

It is impossible to predict IELTS cue cards but you can use old ones to practice because often they will be similar to ones that appear in the future. They can give you an idea of the topic or style of cue cards that you may encounter in your next test.

As such, let’s look at a cue card that has reportedly been used in IELTS exams in the past:

Describe a crowded place you have been to. You should say: – where the place is – when you went there – with whom you went there and explain how you felt about this crowded place.

When you read your cue card, you should quickly analyse it:

• What do you have to talk about? A crowded place .
• Is it one you have been to before? Yes .

This might seem obvious, but it is easy to panic and overlook these things. You should not talk about a crowded place you want to visit or a place you have visited that is not crowded.

As for the bullet points, these are mere guidelines, but I generally recommend talking about them unless you are really confident in your abilities to describe things. They can help you to answer fluently for the required time.

The first thing you should do is think of a crowded place. I lived in China for eight years, so I can think of many! It seems like almost everywhere there is crowded!

Once you have thought of that place, you should then start thinking about how to describe it. Don’t try to cram in any so-called advanced vocabulary. Instead, let the vocabulary arise organically from your description. This is more likely to be correct, natural, and appropriate.

However, there are definitely some words we can use to refer to crowded places:

• Mobbed (v. informal)

Note that all of these words essentially mean “crowded” but they have slightly different connotations, so they can be used in different ways. Some of them mean “very crowded” and others mean “just a little crowded.” I have also marked one as very informal.

These are all things you need to think about and have control over in your IELTS test. You might be tempted at times to look up words in a thesaurus, but do be careful because the results aren’t always brilliant:

In this list, you can see various words that simply wouldn’t work. A busy train station, for example, could never be “populous” or “up to here.” To say that a place was “lousy with (certain people)” is a bit offensive and “sardined” is uncommon, informal, and kind of weird. As for SRO, I don’t even know what that means!

In the end, it is important to only use words that you understand and can confidently add to an answer in a grammatically and logically correct way. Accuracy is the most important thing.

When giving your answer for IELTS speaking part 2, you should think a little about providing some sort of structure. Although it is not as important as it is in an essay, structure helps give descriptions more depth and can impress the examiner.

I like to think of my answers as stories . Even though you are not necessarily asked to tell a story, it can make it easier to give a good answer that 1) contains lots of appropriate detail, and 2) lasts for more than one minute.

In the sample answer below, I will tell a story rather than give a simple description. This will make my job easier and also make my answer more interesting and natural. I want to talk about a crowded bus station, but it is good to avoid the trap of a boring, predictable answer. In other words, don’t just say:

Today I want to talk about a crowded place I have visited. It is a bus station…

Instead, I’m going to talk about myself and my own experience. The story is fundamentally about me trying to go on holiday but having to navigate my way through a horrible, crowded bus station in China. By doing this, I will have many chances to give my feelings about the place and present lots of description.

This gives the answer a natural framework and also helps me to remember things. This is important! Let’s say I just want to give the usual boring answer. Well, I could easily run out of things to say. However, by telling my story, I can imagine or recall all the things I saw and then just talk about them. It also helps me to give a good start and finish to the story.

Sample Band 9 Answer – Describe a Crowded Place

I used to live in China, which is a very overpopulated place, so it seems that nearly everywhere is crowded. In particular, transportation hubs tend to be jam-packed with people almost all of the time, and that made travelling around the country very unpleasant. Unfortunately, I often had to go from one city to another, and that meant going through a train station, bus station, or airport.

In particular, I remember one journey I made to a remote mountain. Ironically, I wanted to escape the busy city, but that meant going through what was surely the most packed bus station in the world. When I arrived, I was so intimidated by the seething crowd that I wanted to leave. I just didn’t think that it was possible to get through it and find my bus.

The worst part was that I was already running slightly late. The big waiting room was crammed full of people and, because this was China, no one was queuing and everyone was just pushing and shoving to get ahead of each other. It was my worst nightmare. It was hot and filthy and no one seemed to care about anything except pushing to the front.

I was with two good friends and so it was important that we all got to the bus together, which made the challenge even greater, but somehow we managed to make our way through the tightly-packed mass of people and got to the bus just in time. It was a huge relief.

All in all, it was an adventure and I was glad to get on the bus and have a holiday, but honestly I was so put off by the whole experience that I would never do it again. I continuously felt on the brink of a panic attack and simply could not deal with the heaving crowd of very rude and aggressive people. I am glad to now live in a much more relaxed and pleasant environment.

Here are some of the phrases I used to show crowding:

• overpopulated place
• everywhere is crowded
• jam-packed with people
• the most packed bus station in the world
• seething crowded
• crammed full of people
• tightly-packed mass of people
• heaving crowd

These phrases can add a little colour and flair to the description. It is not important to use any particular words, but having ones that accurately and appropriately reflect the topic is definitely a great way to improve your score for Lexical Resource .

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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9 Creative Writing Tactics to Enrich Your Travel Writing

My Top Travel Writing Secrets I Probably Shouldn’t Share

I have been writing about travel for two years now four years now ( update 2022 ). When I started this blog, I wrote about personal growth and life inspiration. But because I travel constantly and I relish writing about nature, people, and experiences, I began writing travel articles on On My Canvas. ( I’m an itinerant writer now.)

When I first ventured into travel writing, I panicked every time I put down my solo excursion tales and travel guides. I didn’t know how to write about traveling. I didn’t have the right tools. I remember telling my partner it would be a long time before I write good, relatable travel stories readers will enjoy. ( my ideas about good writing .)

But even as a beginner travel writer, I wrote subjective articles such as  why I travel  and how can we stop ourselves from turning into the worst dictators (inspired by Cambodia). I have always preferred penning down personal travel memoirs rather than writing about the five things to do.

Some of my travel writings turned out to be good and some bad. So while this piece on  the love and hate relationship with India  won accolades, I’m still ashamed of this  Vietnam photo essay .

I continued writing about trips to Southeast Asia and South America . As I published frequently, I started getting a hang of  travel writing.

Now instead of fumbling with how to write a travelogue or a guide, I was rejoicing at heartwarming comments and emails from readers.

A beginner travel writer messaged, “Probably your blog is the most useful one I have come across. Most of your posts are stories and experiences rather than what you see in usual blogs. It helps the readers connect.” 

So many writers loved my 11 best tips for bloggers I was overwhelmed. I pitched guest posts to many travel websites. All of them accepted my articles as soon as they read my travel stories. I got the Best Travel Writer award on Medium (which expired as I have stopped publishing on Medium). After reading my blog, editors and freelance clients reached out to me. Some editors said, to quote, “No doubt you’re an excellent storyteller.”

When anyone compliments my travel writing or says I have immense writing talent, I quietly remember the nights and days I spent bent on my computer writing, editing, reading aloud, deleting, rewriting, poring through writing tips for beginners , and so on. I want to stand on a rooftop and scream that writing is less of an inborn talent and more of a muscle that strengthens as we exercise it more.

I would be lying if I say I didn’t write before starting a travel blog. I began my writing career as a fiction writer. The first-ever rules I learned about writing were creative writing tactics. So to say, I launched into the travel writing world on a creative writing broomstick. 

Now I’m not Stephen King or  Ruskin Bond , but I write short stories, personal essays (like this one ), and poetry , too. Some of my work is published .

Within a few months of writing about traveling, I heard many times that I was not doing travel blog writing.

A reader’s comment read , “Beautiful written, your prose is lyrical that reads less like a blog and more like a novel.” That reader has a Ph.D. in literature.

I was writing travel stories and memoirs using my creative writing skills. And travel writing and blogging about travel are all about storytelling — at least they should be.

In this writing guide, I am sharing the indispensable creative writing techniques that have helped me write engaging travel stories.

In a storytelling workshop recently, the six attendants said I should have added more exercises to the class. I took the advice to heart. I have included a writing exercise with all the travel writing tips. Complete the exercises while reading or bookmark the article and get to them later. But remember, you can only master these travel writing tactics if you practice. 

Travel writers, fasten your seatbelts as I am going to take you on a ride. 

1. Write about travel, but don’t forget to Tell a Story

Stories hold words together.  Without a story, words are black noise on paper.

Do you know why we don’t look forward to academic texts and instructional blogs? Why do we enjoy reading Sapiens even though it is a non-fiction book about our entire history?

The former don’t have a story and the latter has.

Expecting your readers to enjoy your story-less writing is like expecting them to enjoy bland food.

Travel blogging needs more storytelling (as I keep repeating and even Jodi from the popular Legal Nomads travel blog started emphasizing a decade ahead of me) . To blog doesn’t mean to give information only. To blog implies to weave our experience in a tale that readers not only can’t keep down but believe in (since the beginning humans have got others to join them for a cause by telling stories).

A story arc goes like this:

• a scene or an event introducing the story and the characters (exposition)
• a buildup on the scene using the characters and their background (the rising action)
• a high-tension point (climax)
• arriving at the end while resolving those tensions or providing (and refusing) the characters’ desires (the falling action)

This video by Chungdahm Learning explains the story arc well.

For example, m y travel narrative of climbing the Volcano Villarrica begins with these lines: “The alarm rang at 3:30 am. In the dark hostel dormitory, I peeked out of my blanket and cursed myself for signing up to hike the 2,800-meter active volcano.” 

By opening the travelogue with a hint of the oncoming adventure, I make readers curious.

Then I share why I was climbing the volcano and that the hike was challenging — I lay the background.

Bringing the travel memoir to a middle point I say, “A thought that I might not be able to complete the hike knocked my head.” — This is a high-tension point because from here on either I will give up or achieve my goal.

I make the characters clash — “After a few hours of trudging up the volcano, I wanted to give up. So when Alejandro and Alison told me I had gone too far to quit, I didn’t relate with their relentlessness. Why couldn’t I watch the summit from a lower altitude and enjoy the majestic vista bordered by icy volcanoes?” — Though the character conflicts are subtle, this much tension is usually enough to drive a travel story.

I take the travelogue further by talking about how the guide and my friend cheered me — the falling actions. The story ends with me making it to the summit.

“ Every story is about something bigger than ourselves,” Neil Gaiman says, and I concur. The main point of the story was not trekking the volcano. It was about conquering my greatest fears and pushing myself to climb despite them. Ask yourself why do you want to write your story. Remember the reason while writing the travel tale.

One of the loveliest comments I received on the travelogue says, “I really enjoyed reading your story. It made me want to hike the volcano but it also made me slightly terrified of it.”

My purpose was achieved. I wanted to inspire people to climb the thing for I knew what an incredible experience they would miss if they gave in to their fears.

We have to narrate our travel guides like stories or a collection of many anecdotes. And for every travel article that cannot be a continuous story — such as logistical pieces like how to get a visa to Malaysia, things to do in Dharamshala et cetera — I begin by telling a related incident and then write down the information strewing many more tales throughout.

Writing Exercise —  Look at your drafts or a published piece. Or write about traveling to a place you loved. Write/rewrite as if you were telling the story to your best friend.

How cool would be to tell this story! The Sleeping Gypsy and The Lion, by Henri Rousseau / Public domain

2. Show, Don’t Tell

Show, don’t tell was one of the first writing advices I got. 

What does “show, not tell” means?

When you “tell” (not show), you dictate information to the reader, rather than letting her deduce it. 

When you show, you paint a picture of the scene rather than throwing all the facts at the reader .

In the  travel blog on Manikaran, Himachal, I could have written — The Gurudwara is white. The Parvati river flows by its side .

But I wrote — The milky gurudwara complements the white froth of the unstoppable Parvati bellowing by its side.

A few more travel writing examples on telling and showing :

If we tell, the story feels less like a story and more like a boring monologue spilled out on the page. But when we show, the reader watches the scene unfold in front of her, becomes a part of the journey, and draws her own conclusions.

To show what is happening, write using your senses. See, smell, hear, touch, and taste. Now write what you find.

Writing Exercise  —  Pick up an existing work or continue working on the travel piece from the first bullet. Or write about what you see now. Don’t tell, show. You cannot use the words sad, angry, hungry et cetera. Use your senses.

When you are writing about a trip, describe not just the people but also the mountains and the lakes. The Lone Lake by Franklin Carmichael / Public domain

3. Be Descriptive – One of my most important rules while writing a travelogue

This point is a continuation of the above tip on showing, not telling. 

To create a story, we need to give details about the setting, the scene, and the action.

In the  travel blog on Manikaran, Himachal I could have written — Tourists were getting photographed. It was a beautiful place with narrow streets. Shops lined the roadsides. People were shopping. Sikhs were visiting the Gurudwara. Mothers were taking their children to the hot water springs to bathe them.

But here’s what I wrote: 

“ Young girls dressed up in traditional bright Kullu dresses and Himachali topis waited to be clicked. Streets were lined with kitschy souvenir shops flaunting neon plastic toys, rudraksha malas, and brass bracelets.

Devoted Sikhs with their  Kirpans  hanging around their waist walked swiftly towards the Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara. Hindu families strode to the Shiva and Ram temple to bathe their young ones. The children trailed behind eyeing the hot jalebis and crispy samosas displayed at the roadside sweetmeats’ shop. “

In the first method, the writing reads boring, incomplete, and doesn’t help us see the place. I could be describing any religious site.

In the second method, I have added colors. I have not only used my senses to show, but I have focused on the little details that make Manikaran the place it is.

Zoom in and then use the five senses to show what is happening. 

Writing Exercise   —  Pick the story or the paragraphs from the above exercise. Edit the piece while filling in the details. So now you want to draw more lines, more leaves, more grass, and pour in some more color.

Traveling 160 years ago. The Traveling Companions by Augustus Egg / Public domain

Inspirational Read: How to Keep Going When Writing Seems Hard

4. Be specific

Specificity adds nuance and makes the scene real. Ditch common nouns and use proper nouns. 

She kept her copy of ( a book ) The Color Pur ple on the table. 

Celebrations were spent huddled around the barbecue with  ( a drink ) terremotos in hand. 

When I got tired, I walked back to the homestay and listened to ( music ) Anoushka Shankar fill the treehouse. 

There was ( a car ) a white ambassador with a broken headlight on the road.

Writing Exercise  — Take any travel article and replace all the common nouns with proper nouns wherever it makes sense.

To help the reader relate, talk about your fears and apprehensions often. Franklin Carmichael / Public domain

5. Tell what you care about, but don’t ignore others

Consider this paragraph: “I arrived in Manikaran at noon. I wanted to take a long hot bath in the thermal pools so I walked to the temple. But as families and their children had already crowded the bath, I got out early. After the bath, I was hungry so I ate a samosa. The rudraksha males were beautiful so I went to one shop to buy. “

A lot of travel blogs read like the above. 

Why would anyone be interested in my monologue? People would rather binge-watch Netflix.

Virginia Woolf said ,

“Your entire devotion is due to your story. You cannot leave it to attend to some personal grievance. Let not anger tug at our imagination or devotion and deflect it from its path.”

We only read when we can relate with the writing while getting entertained (I will talk about entertainment in another point). And readers would only relate to our writing if they can imagine themselves in our shoes.

If our writing is relatable, it will be enjoyable, too. The reader would laugh along and would be embarrassed when we fall flat on our faces at the crowded Andheri railway station. 

To make the writing relatable, we show what is happening with us, but we don’t skip the world. So the floodlight is on us, but the rest of the stage isn’t dark either. And in this space the reader can scooch in wherever she likes.

Rewriting the above lines:

“ When I arrived in Manikaran at noon, the town was bustling with activity. Tired from the journey, I headed to the temple to bathe in the natural hot springs. Some twenty children were playing in and around the temple pool. The mothers yelled to get the children out of the water.

Postponing my desire to take a long bath I was out of the water in a few minutes. Soon I was on the street. The thick fragrance of the freshly fried samosas pulled me towards the sweetmeat shop. There was a long queue, but I got my samosa. Right opposite the shop, an old man sold rudraksha malas. The sunlight seemed perfect to click the ruddy necklaces. so I walked to him. Who knows, I might buy one this time. “

I’m still talking about myself, but while describing the people, places, and scenes I come across.

Writing Exercise   —  Read what you have written. Do you hear “I,” “me,” “I,” “me,” or does the story care about others, too? Make a friend read the draft. Ask her what she thinks.

Quiet a landscape, eh? How will you describe it in words? Karl Paul Themistokles von Eckenbrecher / Public domain

6. Weave the facts throughout the story 

Fiction writers never give all the facts and data in the first paragraph of the story. Travel writers shouldn’t stuff all the logistics and information at once either. Otherwise, the piece will become a read-before-sleep rather than a read-because-you-can’t-stop concoction.

Read this: “ The museum was opened in 1871. With the ticket, we got an audio tour of the museum. The museum had four walls, all painted white, and four galleries. The first gallery is of the realism paintings. Then comes the second gallery with oil paintings. The third gallery is of natural paintings. By the fourth gallery, the writer d..o..z…e..s.s. off… The reader d.o.z…z…e.s off…   “

Now consider this :

“ The ticket to the museum said it opened to the public in 1871. Out of the four museum galleries, I first walked towards the realism paintings gallery.

…Journey in the realism paintings gallery…

After half an hour, I exited the realism to enter the world of oil paintings, the second gallery. The audio tour was so helpful I haven’t had to look up anything on Google, yet. Et cetera. Et cetera. “

As travel writers, we have to share information and facts. But we can’t burden the reader with all the information in one go. Unfurl the truths of the place slowly. When you write about a trip, weave the dates and the data in your narrative.

Writing Exercise   —  Check your piece for facts. Weave them subtly in the article.

7. Show more than you are comfortable with – Writing travel articles would need you to open up.

Personal essays and travel stories read real when we share how we feel. Of course, it is hard to open up on a public platform. Nor do we feel comfortable knowing others can see into our personal lives.

But to become a travel writer, you have to compromise on privacy. You have to let people inside your head. Else you will not be writing books but would only be protecting your identity. 

Here is something personal I wrote about my first solo travel in Thailand : “One morning in Chiang Mai, I was walking in the middle of a street. Clutching my bag, I was trying to read menus written in Thai. Just then, on a phone call back home, my mother said she would never forgive me and hung up. She wanted me to return home immediately but I wanted to travel more. “

I wasn’t comfortable sharing the entire conversation. But to progress the narrative and give context to my subsequent feelings and actions, I shared a less dramatic version of the phone call.

If we are not writing about a travel experience from a personal point of view, the piece would just read like a report on the destination. 

Don’t be shy. Share how you feel so that people can relate. After all, you are not the only one struggling with angry mothers and Thai menu cards. 

Readers want you to hook them from the beginning. Christen Dalsgaard / Public domain

8. Don’t bore the reader. Make her laugh. Make her cry. But never bore her.

We read to get entertained.  We read to forget ourselves for a while and get lost somewhere else. Reading is another form of meditation.

Recently in a storytelling workshop, I asked the six attendants why they read.  Their reasons ringed close to entertainment though they never used the word.

There is nothing wrong with reading for fun. Even though we might be learning alongside, growing as a person, getting out of the mundane, and venturing into different worlds, we wouldn’t read unless we were having fun.  ( these 21 books changed how I look at life .)

By enjoying a book, a story, or an article, I do not mean the reader would always be rolling on the floor laughing. She might cry. Her heart might get broken. She may miss her family. She might regret something she did ten years ago. 

As writers, our job is to make a reader feel all those emotions she was hiding from — that is the entertainment.  At the end of the read, the reader should feel as if she has just come out of another world (the one we will serve on a plate).

How would you make sure your travel writing isn’t boring? 

Read your work aloud. Cut every redundant and dull word and line. Be more frugal than the Michelin star chefs.

Laugh upon yourself if you have to. Talk about your fat nose. Tell us about how you were blown away by the wind. Open up about that embarrassing morning when the hostel bathroom was occupied and you had eaten too much salsa picante . 

Use metaphors. They will be a hit and miss in the beginning but you will soon make sense. 

In an essay on changing my career to become a writer , I wrote — Parents didn’t allow their children, especially girls, to go out and play with friends, and Voldemort wasn’t the reason. Men ogled women on the streets freely, and I was grabbed a few times even in crowded places as soon as I hit puberty.

I talked about why children weren’t allowed to go out by sharing a dark reality but putting in a little punch of Voldemort laughter there. 

Here’s another example of travel writing from an essay on being clueless in Chile when people spoke in Spanish :

Suddenly, I was the toothpaste cover girl: silent and vacuously smiling. Like the referee in a tennis match, I turned my head from one speaker to another to understand the expressions. I was the excluded newcomer in the class; rarely asked for advice or answer unless directly involved. Avoiding conversations was a new skill that I was assimilating. The quick cat who used to jump at everyone (literally with words) was out of breath and was watching silently from under the bed .

Unless my piece entertains me, I keep editing it. When you can’t enjoy your writing how would anyone else enjoy it? 

The scene could be soft and slow. But you have to write it such that people don’t get bored. On the Desert by Jean-Léon Gérôme / Public domain

9. Read like a Writer

As I am writing more, I am reading more, too. I have talked about the importance of reading in my 27 tips on improving writing skills , too. (my best non-fiction books from 2020 and best fiction books from the same year.)

Not just reading, but reading as a writer is one of the most important practices for any writer.

When I started reading travel blogs, I was overwhelmed. They were so many. How could I ever finish? But I realized I could read only some of those blogs. The rest were either boring or too short or just talked about how the writer enjoyed the place and didn’t give enough information, and so on (no offense to anyone for I am just sharing my reading experience).

I picked up the dos and the don’ts of good travel writing from my own experience as a reader.

While reading, notice what made you laugh or which part of the travelogue made you put the article aside. Was there an awkward word? Was the information weaved into the story? Would you read more of this writer? Why?

Learn from other writers. 

Here are books that have helped me progress as a writer (or at times have helped me write at all),

• Sapiens: a Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari — I’ve included this one because Sapiens establishes how humans could (cognitively and otherwise) evolve by telling stories to each other
• Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl — One of the best non-fiction memoirs I’ve ever read by such a young author
• Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life — for inspiration to write, and also to let go in the avalanche of warmth that flows out of this book
• On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft  by Stephen King — Learn from the best. King always knows how to cut the noise.
• Letters to a Young Poet by Rilke — Another book which suffuses me with strength, courage, and belief all writers so badly need. 
• A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf — Inspired by A Room of One’s Own, I even have a meditation on Woolf’s advice on writing and life . Virginia’s essay is a must read for all writers (and those aspiring to write).
• The Letters of Vincent van Gogh by Vincent van Gogh — In these priceless letters to his brother Theo, Vincent inspired everyone to pursue their art with utmost devotion. I read the letters frequently to fill myself with courage, focus, and belief.
• Wild Mind: Living the Writer’s Life by Natalie Goldberg — The title says it all. But this one stays with me wherever I go.
• The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Junior and E.B. White — for learning the basics of grammar and, literally, how to write
• Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers’ Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University — another must have on non-fiction. I’m always reading this one yet I have so much more to learn 
• On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser — a must have in my opinion
• Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind (99U) — a brilliant book from the creatives around the world on how to manifest the creativity inside us in our work

Now go get them.

for as Vincent said , what is more artistic, doing it or not going it?

Writing Exercise   —  Pick up any travel story. Maybe take one from my blog  (could be this BR Hills piece ) or any other blog you love. Print it out. Now keeping the tips for travel writing discussed here in mind, read the story. Underline the descriptive words. Circle the boring parts. Mark the sentences that tell instead of show. Understand where you got bored or what kept you going. Now do it with one of your pieces. Rewrite the things that don’t feel right.

I hope these ideas on how to write about travel help you write better. Word by word, my friend, word by word.

Follow Up Reads: My best Blogging Tips from 2 years of blogging , Creative Routines for everyone , and an inspiration on pursuing our dreams

Are you writing about traveling, too? Do you now have a better idea on how to write a travel article? Let me know in the comments.

Like this post? Please pin it so that others can find it on Pinterest. Thank you. 

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5 thoughts on “9 Creative Writing Tactics to Enrich Your Travel Writing”

नमस्कार क्या आप मुझे बता सकते कि कहानी को लिखने का सही तरीका क्या है क्योंकि मैं बहुत दिनों से ट्राई कर रहा हूं पर लिख नहीं पा रहा हूं।

Hey priyanka, It was a great blog. I liked the whole blog specially the second point of Showing instead of telling. Keep going

Very good information blog! it is useful to me to write a Travel blog and thank you for posting.

Hi Priyanka, This is a wonderful article. Congratulations! I have just completed a travel book called ‘The Last Train Through the Heart of the Americas,’ for which I am trying to find a publisher, so I can very much relate to the travel tips you give in the above post, as I had to learn most of them the hard way. My book has been 30 years in the making and still isn’t published…. And I too worked in investment banking before setting off on travels to India, South-East Asia and South America. Although you are in India and I am in Canada, we have some things in common. You have used lovely illustrations in the blog post too, which added to the pleasure I got from reading it. And that’s how I write my pieces as well, keep rewriting and rewriting until it amuses me, and hence the reader. All the best, Ian Birch

Hi Ian, thanks a lot for your lovely message. We have so much in common it surprises me. And I have some many good friends from Canada. Your book will soon get published 🙂

Also, appreciate your feedback on the pictures. I take some time to find good images and paintings that would complement the piece. Here are some old paintings that are getting dust on Wikipedia so I thought to share them with all.

Good luck. Stay in touch, Priyanka

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Creative Writing - Life in the City

Life In The City

The day in the city is starting: Claustrophobia. Frustration. Overcrowded. Crushing. Swarming. Cacophonous. Obstreperous. Clamorous. Vociferous.

The gloomy grey sky, with its heavy nimbostratus clouds, blocking all of the sun’s rays from reaching the Earth. The smoke from the industrial factories polluting the atmosphere and smelling like a failed chemical experiment. The fridge-like coldness of the winter air freezing your face.

Claustrophobia on the streets; commuters, shooting menacing glares at each other, attempt to rush to work. They fight their way past each other, determined to do anything they can to get to their destination. One businessman, dressed in a shirt and tie and clutching a black leather briefcase, is shoved back as the current of the swarm of people against him is too strong. The towering skyscrapers looking down at the strugglers in battle.

Across the road, the unpleasant cacophony of cars blaring their horns is heard above everything else. Frustrated drivers, already late for work, bellowing at the ever-changing traffic lights and wide lorries blocking half of the road. The overpowering skyscrapers watch over the events; their roofs almost brushing the heavens. Hectic life in the city goes on and on, and feels as though it will never end, that the commuters will never stop fighting their way into work, that the car drivers will never stop cursing at the traffic, that the city will never be empty…

This is a preview of the whole essay

…Night time in the city. Empty. Deserted. Silent. In the charcoal black sky, the effulgent crescent moon, the glistening stars forming illuminating constellations, the flickering lights of a plane that glides through a sky like a hawk.

Descending to the Earth, we observe the city in its now desolate state. Looking through a dimly lit, litter strewn alley, a homeless man crouches defensively, ready to go to sleep for the night. His scruffy, short, light brown hair covered with a worn out, chequered hat. His torn, tatty shirt and his trousers covered with holes both sizes too small for him. A few meters away, a rat scuttles over to the litter, scavenging around for food.  

Turning into the car park, we see that the once overflowing place full of resting vehicles of every size and shape, now contains nothing but the dormant parking meter that patrols the area. Standing on one leg and lining up in a straight row like soldiers, the street lights provide the only source of illumination, their one eye emitting a golden beam of shining light down on the dusty, cracked pavement below.

Through the city park, the sea of trees is seen swaying gently in the whispering wind. Rippling reflections of the stars are shown in the peaceful pond. The vastest tree of the park comes into view with its narrow finger-like branches reaching skywards and brushing the heavens; its gnarled bark and broad trunk radiating infinite wisdom.

The silent, harmonious noises of the city now amplified. The ticking of the clock tower, the rustle of the autumn leaves being softly blown down the road by the wind, the high pitched creaking of the iron gates to the car park.

Soon the silent, tranquil city will be once again transformed into the blaring, claustrophobic city, and life in the city will start again.

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• Word Count 543
• Page Count 2
• Subject English

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Writing People: Writing Prompts for Crowded Places

In the madding crowd of the city, writing is an oasis, a place of stillness. And yet, what would we do without city folk to inspire us? These writing prompts will get you people-watching, staring, talking to strangers, and imagining the lives of others.

The exercises on the Writing People Writing Map will prompt you to imagine the secret lives of people in cafés, visit places like markets and parks with a variety of smells, and write about hands that have touched the objects in museums.

The Writing Map is devised and written by Shaun Levin with illustrations by Andrew Sutherland. The A3 map (297x420mm) folds into A6 (105x148mm, postcard size), and is printed on recycled paper in England.

NOTE: Some content not appropriate for writers under 16.

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Crowded Place: IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample Answer

Updated On Jan 17, 2024

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Speaking Part 1

1 what kinds of places are crowded.

Almost everywhere in my city! However, I would say especially the streets. For one, people really like spending time eating and hanging out on the streets. Secondly, since the old streets are narrow, they tend to become overcrowded with vehicles. Moreover, markets and shopping malls are quite hectic , as people in my country enjoy street shopping.

2 Do you like to go to crowded places?

Not one bit! I start to feel extremely overwhelmed and want to exit the area immediately. Moreover, it’s unpleasant to be pushed and shoved in overcrowded places. Furthermore, it’s even worse in the summer when people are sweating and have body odor !

3 Why do some people like to go to crowded places?

Hmm, well I guess they like the chaos . For some, it’s exciting to watch madness   unfold around them. Furthermore, I think they like the lively feeling that crowded places carry. Perhaps it’s interesting to those who come from small towns and villages.

4 When was the last time you were in a crowded place?

The last time I was in a crowded place was when I had gone out to attend a religious procession with my family. Even though I wasn’t keen on going since I obviously dislike crowds, my family made me go with them as it was an important festival for us.

• Hectic: stressful Eg: They are having a very hectic life.
• Have body odor: when your armpits sweat Eg: sportsmen have body odor as they workout a lot.
• Chaos: stress Eg: There is so much chaos in that shop.
• Madness: craziness Eg: “It is sheer madness”.

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Bonus IELTS Speaking part questions with Answers

Nafia Zuhana is an experienced content writer and IELTS Trainer. Currently, she is guiding students who are appearing for IELTS General and Academic exams through ieltsmaterial.com. With an 8.5 score herself, she trains and provides test takers with strategies, tips, and nuances on how to crack the IELTS Exam. She holds a degree in Master of Arts – Creative Writing, Oxford Brookes University, UK. She has worked with The Hindu for over a year as an English language trainer.

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8 Reasons Why You Should Visit Moscow At Least Once in Your Lifetime

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The city of Moscow is the largest historical, cultural, and administrative city in the entire Russian Federation. The capital of the most gigantic country on the planet is considered to be quite fast, lively, crowded, and mystical with its various historical neighbourhoods and hidden gems . The streets here are quite busy, and the traffic is tough; weather conditions might vary from cold to hot, and you can never predict it. Despite these climate conditions, the city remains an amazing and a picturesque one, and there are definitely a whole host of reasons to come here at least once in a lifetime. Here are the top eight, so you can start planning your trip now.

Traditional architecture.

The capital of Russia is famous for its enormous streets and neighbourhoods full of different historical, Soviet , Post-Soviet and modern buildings. Various architectural styles might catch your eye literally on every corner, and each of them represents a traditional Moscow style that remained for decades, if not centuries.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BemG-Zcl_vg/?tagged=redsquare

The Moscow theatre scene

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https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc2EClkB1cE/?taken-by=bolshoi_theatre

Art galleries and museums

The city of Moscow is famous for its extensive and impressive art scene and offers its visitors a wide number of historical museums, galleries and modern art and photography centres, along with workshop halls and art shops and corners . Many of these places provide its visitors with access to unique and important art collections and an entrance to different exhibitions, art events and fairs organized in the city monthly.

Nature and parks

The city of Moscow hosts an abundance of different parks, orangeries and small squares with a great number of local plants and trees. These beautiful nature and recreation spots have become real gems of the city for its residents.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be2pu8PBWW5/?tagged=%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE

Orthodox churches

The Moscow region has around 830 Orthodox churches , monasteries and chapels. You may view these religious architectural masterpieces in every single neighbourhood of the city. The majority of these places are open daily to visitors, and each of them has a unique collection of religious paintings of Orthodox saints.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be2tDDnBfBJ/?tagged=%D1%85%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC%D1%85%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8F

Picturesque city views

The city of Moscow is famous for its huge number of high points and spectacular city views from various neighbourhoods. One of the most popular observation points nowadays is the ‘Federation Tower’ located in the Moscow City business area; however, it’s just one of the many places where you can take a beautiful picture and view the sunset. We highly recommend it!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BelCnVdlidq/?tagged=federationtower

Russian cuisine

Russia offers its visitors an enormous variety of traditional dishes . Some of them are considered to be real culinary masterpieces. Only in Moscow you can find many restaurants featuring national cuisine, ranging from budget to Michelin-starred.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWIG3n3AnxN/?taken-by=whiterabbitmoscow

Moscow’s nightlife

‘Moscow never sleeps!’ – that’s what locals say about the city, and this is 100% true. Moscow’s nightlife is very fun, never-ending and just might get you quite tipsy. Local clubs, bars and dance halls provide many interesting options to its guests even on a Monday night.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bdcvp3YDiuA/?taken-by=shop_bar_ds

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Top 20 Facts about the City of Moscow

Moscow Metro- by A.Savin - Wikimedia Commons

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20 facts about the city of moscow, 1. moscow’s oldest surviving building is more than 550 years old.

Assumption Cathedral – Wikimedia Commons

2. The world’s largest medieval fortress is found in Moscow

Moscow Kremlin on foreground- by Pavel Kazachkov- Wikimedia Commons

3. Moscow hosts Russia’s largest zoo

Moscow Zoo entrance- by A.Savin – Wikimedia Commons

4. Trains with the most frequency in the world are found in Moscow

Moscow Metro- by A.Savin – Wikimedia Commons

 5. The City of Moscow hosts the World’s second-largest library

Russian State Library main building interior- by A.Savin – Wikimedia Commons

6. The City of Moscow is home of the Babushka doll

Babushka dolls variety- by Ph. Saget – Wikimedia Commons

7. The City of Moscow hosts the world’s largest university building

Moscow State University- by Dmitry A. Mottl- Wikimedia Commons

8. The City of Moscow hosts one of the largest urban parks in the world

Visitor at Izmailovo Park- by Kristy2906 -Wikimedia Commons

9. Europe’s largest botanical garden is found in Moscow

Moscow’s Botanical Garden- by AlixSaz- Wikimedia Commons

10. The City of Moscow boasts 7 identical skyscrapers

Seven Sisters side by side pictures- by okruz- Wikimedia Commons

11. The City of Moscow FBI buildings were once torture chambers

Peasants tortured by Saltykova- by P. V. Kurdyumov – Wikimedia Commons

12. The first man in space was buried in Moscow

Yuri Gagrin- by P. V. Kurdyumov- Wikimedia Commons

13. Victory Obelisk is Moscow’s highest Monument

Victory Obelisk- by GAlexandrova- Wikimedia Commons

14. Moscow has an underground river

15. moscow’s stray dogs can navigate the metro, 16. lenin’s corpse is preserved in a mausoleum in moscow’s red square.

Lenin Mausoleum at the Red Square- by NVO- Wikimedia Commons

17. The largest bell in the world is found in the City of Moscow

Tsar Bell- by W. Bulach- Wikimedia Commons

18. The City of Moscow has billionaire residents

19. old moscow was segregated, 20. the city of moscow and england share an insignia.

St. George on Horseback slaying the dragon- by W. Bulach- Wikimedia Commons

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Christine M

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