Adding sound to your fiction helps paint a more robust scene in your reader’s imagination. Sounds should be used in all aspects of your storytelling: setting, dialog, romance, and action scenes.

Sensory words paint a mental picture for your reader. Bringing sound to your fiction immerses your reader into your story. Try to create sounds that mimic the things you describe. This will make your descriptions more expressive and exciting.

Sounds evoke memories, both wonderful and terrible. Use sounds your reader can relate to. Sounds can have a strong effect on your reader’s emotions. Sound can put your reader’s nerves on edge or relax them with comfortable sounds.

Bees buzzing                                                           A brook babbling

Nails scratching on a chalkboard                        Purr of a kitten

Horns honking,                                                       a whisper in her ear         

You must learn to add sound to your fiction to become a great writer. Sensory details are powerful. Great writing needs sensory details.

Today, we will look at words for sounds you can incorporate into your writing.

Add Soft, Relaxing Sound to Your Fiction.

Babble	Bubble	Drip	Crackle	Coo
Faint	Harmonic	Hum	Hush	Crunch
Plop	Ping	Rustle	Scratch	Sizzle
Splash	Swish	Tick	Shush	Tingle
Whir	Pleasing	Swoosh	Tap	Thrum
Muffle	Plaintive	Rhythm	Musical	Mellow
Rich	Soft	Sweet	Chime	Creak
Drone	Fizz	Delicate	Brush	Beep

Examples:

The faint sound of the chime told me it was time to leave.

Then, the muffled hum of the fan helped me sleep.

The harmonic rhythm was soothing to my soul.

Add Loud Action Sound to Your Fiction

Bang	Blare	Blast	Boom	Cacophony
Clack	Cheer	Clang	Clamor	Clink
Jangle	Deafening	Ear-spiting	Honk	Jangle
Piercing	Rumble	Roar	Screech	Shriek
Thud	Thunder	Thunderous	Thwack	Toot
Chaotic	Pealing	Whollop	Knock	Pound
Scrunch	Sizzle	Whack	Beep	Crash
Crunch	Spitting	Shatter	Raucous	Rowdy
loud	Noisy	Percussive	Uproar	Riotous
Drumming	Lively	Sharp	Honk	Scrunch
Abrasive	Beating	Echo	Erratic	Explosive
Frantic	Howl	Rumbled	Rattle	Grate
Clatter	Whack	Slam	Chop	Scrap

Examples:

The blaze sizzled, crackling and spitting sparks.

Machines clanged and clinked with a deafening noise.

The boom of the cannon roared and echoed off the hills.

Add Sound to your Dialog

Bellow	Cackle	Chatter	Cough	Cry
Giggle	Gurgle	Guffaw	Shout	Hoot
Bawl	Hiss	Howl	Jabber	Moan
Monotone	Monotonous	Murmur	Rant	Shout
Stammer	Wail	Twang	Wheeze	Whimper
Whine	Whisper	Whoop	Yelp	Grunt
Laugh	Cringe	Caterwaul	Peep	Squeal
Yowl	Groan	Rant	Mumble	Grumble
Snarl	Croon	Sing	Holler	Yell

Examples:

He ranted and grumbled, then snarled at the waitress.

She giggled and then whispered behind her hand.

They cheered, whooped, and yelled as the player made the goal.    

                

Add Animal Sound to Your Fiction

Bark	Honk	Peep	Buzz	Bleat
Bray	Croak	Chirp	Crow	Coo
Hiss	Moo	Purr	Quack	Squawk
Twitter	Warble	Howl	Screech	Growl
Grunt	Mew	Purr	Low	Cluck
Cheap	Trumpet	Click	Quack	Yelp
Coo	Bray	Cackle	Bleat	Bellow
Hiss	Snort	Neigh	Snarl	Nicker
Cluck	Whine	Whimper	Whistle	Bugle
Bleat	Gribit	Whoop	Chatter	Bellow
Hoot	Snort	Squeal	Trill	Baa
Rattle	Gobble	Sing	Bawl	Woof

Examples:

My horse neighed and nickered, hoping I would go riding today.

The cat mewed and then curled into her lap, purring.

He saw the snake but stepped back when he heard the rattle.

Add Musical Sound to Your Fiction

Vocal	Slow	Fast	Melodious	Sharp
Flat	Melody	Sing	Chorus	Harmony
Bass	Baritone	Tenor	Alto	Soprano
Rich	Bright	Lively	Mellow	Warm
Trumpet	Drum	Rhythm	Whistle	Serenade
Light	Wafting	Ethereal	Penetrating	Clear
Shrill	Humming	Sighing	Buzz	Wistful`
Captivating	Lyrical	Electric	Heavy metal	Swing
Classical	Folk	Jazz	Soul	Tune
Chanting	Song	Throbbing	Musical	Beat

Examples:

A delicate song leaped from the strings with an ethereal melody.

The throbbing beat of the drum started me dancing.

The serenade hung in the night air with a clear, sweet tone.

Add Water Sound to Your Fiction

Lapping	Chuckling	Hissing	Roar	Whistle
Babble	Thunder	Gurgle	Murmur	Sigh
Crash	Rhythmic	Hush	Ripple	Rush
Gurgle	Boil	Hiss	Silent	Raging
Whisper	Spat	Rippling	Splash	Cascading
Slap	Sighing	Hissing	Sluicing	Swirling

Examples

The stream peacefully gurgled over the rocks.

The falls roared into the raging river.

Huge waves thundered against the cliff, swirling and hissing.

Add Wind and Rain Sound to Your Fiction

Hiss	Thunder	Quake	Howl	Moan
Roar	Murmur	Whine	Whistle	Groan
Shrek	Growl	Wheeze	Gust	Rattle
Rustle	Rattle	Whine	Whip	Whistle
Crackling	Scraping	Screeching	Hissing	Growling
Shattering	Rumbling	Splashing`	Shattering	Blast
Ravaging	Sluicing	Monsoon	Gust	Swirling
Swoop	Slap	Howl	Growl	Hammering
Blistering	Prowling	Dripping	Tapping	Shuddering

Examples:

The shrieking wind whipped through the trees, shattering branches.

Thunder blasted our ears, rumbling and growling like banshees.

The rain tapped softly on the window before sliding down the glass.

Conclusion

Thanks for reading. We hope these ideas will inspire you to add sound to your fiction.

For more information about how to add sound to your fiction see: https://www.writerswrite.co.za/106-ways-to-describe-sounds/

See our article with 493 words about taste: https://writingagreatbook.com/writers-word-lists/493-ways-to-describe-taste-to-inspire-great-writing/

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