Most writers understand that the goal of sensory description is to convey a specific image to the reader in a unique way. By itself, a strong setting isn’t enough, nor is having the right characters. Something needs to bring them to life, and that thing is multi-sensory description.

Description is all about showing, and showing well. What we choose to show should always have significance. While random details will bore readers, targeted description lends power to the manuscript, not only highlighting the character’s experiences but also by hinting at mood, atmosphere, and themes.

Of the many different types of sensory description tools in our belts, textures are one of the most powerful. Life is tactile; as people, we like to touch and explore the world around us. While readers love to see, hear, smell, and taste things alongside the character, the sense of touch is more intimate. This is why describing the texture of an object can help readers climb inside the POV character’s skin and put them in touch with her emotions.