1. “The writer is an artist, painting images of life with specific and identifiable brush strokes, images as realistic as Wyeth and as abstract as Picasso. In the act of creation, the writer, like the artist, relies on fundamental elements.” Harry R. Noden

3. Absolute Brush Stroke Noun + ing verb Function: adds to the action Core: The car went into the parking lot. Engine smoking, gears grinding, the car went into the parking lot Noun + ing verb Function: adds to the action Core: The car went into the parking lot. Engine smoking, gears grinding, the car went into the parking lot.

4. Write:

5. A noun that adds a second image to a preceding noun, restate the noun Function: expands detail in the reader’s imagination Core: The car went into the parking lot. The car, a 1936 Ford, went into the parking lot.

6. Instead of: The tornado swept across the plains. Write:

7. Function: evokes action, makes the reader feel a part of the experience. Begin with an “-ing” verb or phrase Remember, a participle is a verb that acts as an adjective! Core: The car went into the parking lot. Sliding on the loose gravel, the car went into the parking lot.

8. Instead of: The deer stood at the edge of the woods. Write:

9. Shift two adjectives after the noun Function: intensifies an image, gives it rhythm (Avoid 3 adjectives in a row) Core: The car went into the parking lot. The old car, rusty and dented, went into the parking lot.

10. Instead of: The sun rose over the lake. Write:

11. Verbs that do action Function: effective image tools, energize images Core: The car went into the parking lot. The car chugged into the parking lot.

12. Instead of: The mysterious plane flew through the sky. Write:

13. Ask: How does it feel? What does it look like? How does it sound? How does it taste? How does it smell? ObservationImpressionAdd a Brushstroke Cat, branch, dangling A cat in trouble, struggling to hang on Claws digging, paws kicking, the cat clung to the tree branch

14. Practice “Zooming In”