When it comes to writing a scene where a character screams, it can be tempting to simply write “Ahhhh” and move on. However, as a writer, you have the opportunity to create a more vivid and immersive experience for your readers by describing the scream in detail.
Describing a scream allows you to convey the intensity, pitch, and duration of the sound, as well as the emotions behind it. For example, a scream of terror might be high-pitched and short, while a scream of anger might be deeper and longer.
In his book “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft,” Stephen King emphasizes the importance of using descriptive language to create a more immersive experience for readers. He writes:
“The adverb is not your friend. Consider the sentence ‘He closed the door firmly.’ It’s by no means a terrible sentence, but ask yourself if ‘firmly’ really needs to be there. What about context? What about all the enlightening (not to say emotionally moving) prose which came before ‘He closed the door firmly’? Shouldn’t this tell us how he closed the door?”
Similarly, when it comes to describing a scream, consider the context and the emotions behind it. Is the character screaming in terror, anger, pain, or joy? How does the scream sound? Is it high-pitched or low? Short or long? Does it trail off or end abruptly?
By taking the time to describe a scream, you can create a more vivid and immersive experience for your readers, allowing them to feel the emotions of the character and become more invested in the story. So next time you’re tempted to simply write “Ahhhh,” consider taking a few extra moments to describe the scream in detail. Your readers will thank you for it.
