avoid overusing the words: sounds or sound. Alternatives could be: noise, hum, echo, thud, reverberation, crash, jingle, clatter, or vibration, any of which are more specific for the reader.

A scene that includes the sense of hearing and sounds is much more likely to induce an emotional reaction in the reader.

While writing a descriptive setting, consider the memories that music can produce, or the sound of a lover’s voice, or the jangle of the ice cream truck when you were a child.

Common filter words are heard / hear / could hear that can create narrative distance.

always strive to omit any filter words: see / saw / could see from the narrative. And avoid overusing “looked” or “appeared” in your descriptions. Alternatives could be: viewed, regarded, observed, spotted, glimpsed, or catch sight of, etc.

Through the characters “eyes,” it becomes a room with dark wood paneling, oval windows, and a tarnished hardwood floor.

Each time you state that a character enters a new scene describe their surroundings and use the sense of sight to indicate the colors, shapes, and images that they see.

Sensory details help the reader feel as though they are experiencing everything alongside the character, and it will create a much more intimate connection to the scene. The senses can also help to set the mood and ping the theme, while establishing a strong “narrative voice.”

A specific verb or noun will anchor any description in a more effective way.