creative writing forest description

35 Words to Describe a Forest Well in a Novel

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Vocabulary Boosters

A huge part of writing a novel is using the best words to describe various settings to bring your story to life. If you have a scene set in a forest, your words to describe a forest must reflect everything the characters (if any) can see or feel, or should paint a vivid picture of the setting.

But that’s easier said than done, isn’t it? Everyone gets stuck sometimes and finding the best words to describe the simplest of things can take some time.

In this post, we’re going to focus on a popular scene that can be tricky to describe for some: the forest. Here are 35 of the best words to describe a forest well in a novel:

6 words for a forest at night (black forest)

  Scenes take place in the forest at night for various reasons. Perhaps you want to create suspense or mystery.   A forest at night can also be used to create drama or romance. However, if you don’t have the best words to describe a forest at night, your delivery is sure to fall flat.   Here are 6 words to describe a forest at night:  

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6 words to describe a forest in winter (white forest)

  Forests in winter are truly a sight to behold, especially when they are blanketed by a cover of white snow. A white forest may be used to portray purity or light.   A white forest may also be used to portray isolation or emptiness. Here are 6 words to describe a forest based on what you wish to portray:  

6 words to describe a forest in spring (green forest)

  During spring, the forest is at its busiest with creatures roaming about, and plants sprouting their blossoms. It is a period of rebirth and regrowth that may be used to set a specific mood or contrast a less favorable circumstance.   Whatever the case may be, here are 6 words to describe a forest in spring:  

20+ of the Best Words to Describe Night in a Story

6 words about the Amazon rainforest

  The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest and contains an infinite number of green trees of various shades and sizes. It is also one of the most diverse biomes on the planet.   Here are some words to describe a forest that will help you to paint an accurate picture of the Amazon rainforest.  

6 words to convey the atmosphere of a mysterious/deep forest

  When describing a forest to an audience, you will need words to describe more than just the trees.   You also need to pay attention to the atmosphere, especially if it is mysterious or deep.   Here are some words to describe a forest based on its atmosphere  

5 words for the sounds of a forest

  Lastly, using sounds will paint the ultimate picture in your readers’ heads.   Here are 5 words to describe a forest based on the sounds one may hear:  

25 of the Best Words to Describe a Bad and Toxic Relationship

  When using these words to describe a forest, ensure they complement the scene you are trying to set, rather than adding a bunch of words to fill the page, otherwise, it may be confusing for your reader.   Picture it in your head before finding the appropriate words.  

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19,903 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,965 themes

Forest - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

• a mountain path
• animals in the forest
• boreal forest
• cloud forest
• conservation of plant resources
• deciduous forest
• evergreen trees
• falling leaves
• forest department
• forest fire
• kelp forest
• native plant
• old growth forest
• photosynthesis
• pine forest
• protecting our forests
• rainforest plants
• reclaimed wood
• river in a forest
• saving our forests
• snow forest
• spirituality
• swiss cheese plant
• temperate rainforest
• the green man
• tongass national forest
• transpiration
• tree branches
• tropical rainforest
• woodland walk

A way into the balance of the forest ecosystem opened not as a door, but as an unfolding leaf, not to walk through, yet to bow in. Then comes the sense of immense life all around, each tree is an apartment block for billions of organisms, for communties, stood in well rooted calm, reaching into the light. Each green capped masterpiece is both a safe of genentic diversity and spirits cradle. Every sense comes online. Within balm air we wander, soles to salve of earth, guided by the aromatic, hearing sounds as if they enter via our souls.

A hug of browns, a shelter of extended limbs, seven resting beneath foliage hues, the forest is protective mother, the promise of holy sanctuary.

The forest is my light and air, the deep brown earth that elevates each step with its ever-giving soul.

A billion verdant wands of pine wave in arboreal air; for this place is magical, so much so that you can feel it from core to finger tips.

The forest silences the clocks, for this place of root and branch is the dominion of the eternal soul.

From the rich brown earthen hues of the forest ground to the sweetness of the blue-white sky, the forest is a three dimensional wonderland for the eyes who are willing to absorb the light.

In this forest I am with my tribe of wood and leaf, among the giants who's roots hug the earth. It is a place of ancient souls, of the creatures who dwell with the sweet sounds of moving water and bird song. Somehow this is more home than home, perhaps one day I'll learn why.

Upon the forest floor lie trees of yesteryear, fallen in storms long forgotten. The seasons have been harsh, stripping away the bark and outer layers, yet rendering them all the more beautiful. They have the appearance of driftwood, twisting in patterns that remind Sarah of seaside waves; even the colour of the moss is kelp-like. They are soft, damp, yet her fingers come away dry. Sarah tilts her head upward, feeling her hair tumble further down her back; the pines are several houses tall, reaching toward the golden rays of spring. Birdsong comes in lulls and bursts, the silence and the singing working together as well as any improvised melody. A new smile paints itself upon her freckled face, rose-pink lips semi-illuminated by the dappled light. Before she knows it her feet have begun to walk, body and mind both on autopilot - it's morning-time and no-one expects her home until supper.

Perhaps it would be a fitting tribute to the life work of Sir David Attenborough, as well as a much needed step to save our own souls, to ban the sale of all furniture made from new wood. Such a step would be positive shift in the economy and the way we live. Jobs in refurbishment and the antique industry would flourish - we'd gain more carpenters and artists who can work from home. As we move into more plant based diets the stems of wheat and other plant materials could be used in furniture production. We can amend the way we live, taking inspiration from other cultures. Many eat sitting on the floor, thus doing away with dinning tables and dining chairs. How about sleeping more Japanese style with a mattress that rolls up during the day - no wooden frame. We use recycled and reclaimed materials too - perhaps the harvesting of plastic from the oceans for reuse will gain financial viability as well as being the right thing to do.

It is to the forest I go for rest, for serenity that flows as cool river waters. There is something about the sparkle upon the blue, a melody without a rhythm, music without sound. Above wave the great arms, clothed in the greens of every palate and none, the verdant hues of nature's free dreams. In that place I become a part of that art, of that three dimensional creation of time and space, of a greater evolutionary span than my brain can fathom. It's when I stop knowing and begin feeling, it's when I hear with my heart the voices of these mighty trees, "Sister, welcome."

In the forest I breathe in every way that it is possible to expand: in lungs, in brain in soul. In the forest there is a sense of kinship with the flora, of an ancient soul that stretches into everything that lives. It is here under the nascent rays of a sun born to rise each day that I am so very alive. How could I not love the forest so? From simple seed, with mud, water and sun, comes all this, these towering gentle giants that are so anchoring to all that I am.

And upon the forest floor so woven with ancient tree roots came a light filtered by the bouquet of foliage above: softened, verdant and freshly aromatic.

When the day is growing old and the hearth calls, the sun sinks down beneath the tops of the pines. The light streaks through the boughs in both brilliant and shadowy beams. In the summertime they were white gold, illuminating the greens into virescent riots; yet the gift of those warm days has passed for the season. On these wintry days the fogs cast those same beams of light into sepia tones and the woodland becomes the most beautiful of photographs. The trunks of fallen trees bare icicles longer than my hand, no two of them the same - more enchanting than any work of man. Every twig and blade of grass grows winter "leaves" of ice crystals, frost deeper than the fleece in my gloves. And never is the woodland silent, though it is quieter than any city street for sure. There are the birds above, calling, pecking for grubs. There is movement of mammals, mostly small, sometimes not. There is is the water that flows quietly until it meets the sharp rocky scree slopes and forms the waterfalls I love so much.

The forest is the orchestra of my mind, playing one enchanting symphony after another. Her leaves dance to an unheard beat, whispering their songs to the wind. In here, sheltered by the mighty trees, is every kind of life, from the humble beetle to enchanting birds of every colour. I hold my hands up to feel the cascading light, a brilliant white shaft illuminating the path that takes me onward and home.

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How to Describe a Forest Setting…Vividly

You might need to know how to describe a forest setting

if you’re writing a fantasy novel…or if you just happen to have a scene that takes place in the woods. I’ve pulled together this post of forest words and phrases, forest sounds, and forest adjectives. 

Forest Words and Phrases

Specific images, sounds, and smells will make your description more vivid and make your reader feel like they’re really there. I should note that haven’t really focused on rainforests for this post, though I might do one on rainforests and jungles later.

I’m not going to name all the trees and plants, obviously! However, I’ll start out with some of the most common ones in the woods in the United States.

sweetgum trees

wildflowers, such as trillium (Midwestern and Eastern United States), lupine, violets, bluebells (Eastern North America), columbines, black cohosh, and jack in the pulpit

in sunny spots: clover, dandelions, Queen Anne’s lace, asters, goldenrod

poison oak 

toadstools and mushrooms

cattails (near water)

wild blackberries and raspberries

wild ginger

moss—often on logs or rocks

sunlight filtering through trees

smooth bark, like on birch and beech trees

carpets of dried leaves or pine needles

winding path 

trees casting long shadows

distant trees cloaked in mist

gnarled and twisted branches

the branches at the tops of tall trees touching above you

thicket 

stone outcropping

charred tree trunks from a wildfire

the moon and/or lots of bright stars above at night

thin branches of saplings and shrubs blocking the path

spiderwebs…sometimes beaded with rain

acorns and acorn caps

buckeyes, from buckeye trees

spiky dried sweetgum fruits

fallen trees

butterflies

deer—fawn, doe, and/or buck

animal tracks

human footprints

litter—discarded water bottles, beer cans

the cooler temperature in the deep woods

insect bites—mosquitoes, biting flies, spiders, chiggers, ticks

thorny branches snagging a hiker’s ankle, calf, or arm

snow-covered branches

By the way, because lists like this can make writing so much easier…

I’ve pulled together a book called Master Lists for Writers . So many authors use it to stay inspired, write faster, and write more. Check it out!

Now let’s move on to…

Forest Sounds

chirping birds

trilling birds, like a wood thrush

warbling birds— many birds that do this are called warblers

chattering birds

tapping of a woodpecker

hooting owls

screeching red-tailed hawks

cawing and croaking crows

flapping of bat wings

hum of junebug wings

buzz of mosquitos

chirping crickets

croaking frogs

coyote or wolf howl

squirrels running across branches

wind rustling through leaves and/or pine needles

babbling or rushing of a nearby stream or creek

rumbling thunder

cracks of lightning

raindrops falling on leaves

snapping of a twig underfoot

squelching sound of feet in mud

zipping/unzipping of a tent flap

the hush of the woods after snow

icicles dripping during a thaw

Forest Smells

rotting wood

decaying leaves

fresh green leaves

sugary smell of maple leaves in the fall

fresh pine needles and pine resin

campfire smoke

Forest Adjectives

uninhabited

undisturbed

cathedral-like

sanctuary-like

flourishing

golden 

Do you know any good examples of how to describe a forest?

Do you enjoy describing settings, or is it something go back and do after a first draft? Let us know in the comments! Thanks for reading, and have a great week!

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4 thoughts on “ how to describe a forest setting…vividly ”.

Thank you, Bryn. I’m working on a series set in the Ozarks,, and a separate western time travel that I’m funneling through a critique group. All have forest scenes. Your lists will definitely come in handy. To answer your question, I write a skeleton rough draft first, then go back and fill in the details. I love adding descriptions to help the reader live in the scene.

Thanks for the romp through the forest, Bryn. I was going to add things about the forests in the Pacific Northwest, but my mind kept sneaking back to the Colorado Rockies of my childhood. Thundering waterfall, golden aspen interlaced with pine, gurgle of streams, hushed, rumble of rocks crashing down the mountain creek at spring run-off, “water” sound of wind in the tall pines, grunt of a bear, porcupine waddling up the mountain, leaping water, and people sounds and smells such as crackle of campfire, “ollie ollie ocks in free,” and from a song my sister and I wrote, “the smell of bread baking on rainy afternoons and sheets perfumed from drying in the sun.”

Thanks for the list Bryn. There are so many good choices here. I’ll keep it on hand. Take care.

wild berries/brambles, earthen path, lost road, natural spring, waterfall, faerie rings

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How to Describe Forests in Your Writing

Pin or save this post for reference next time you're writing a forest. You can pull from these sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touch sensations to add texture to your forest descriptions. 

• Wildflowers
• Hunting traps
• Animal tracks
• Dens/burrows
• Birds nests
• Abandoned campfire
• Hollowed-out trees
• Rising mist
• Bracket fungi
• Acorn shells
• Fallen logs
• Gnarled branches
• Tree stumps
• Dewdrops on leaves
• Fallen pine needles
• Patches of sunlight
• Animal footprints
• Smoky campfire
• Warm, dry earth
• Decaying logs
• Freshly turned soil
• Ripe blackberries
• Wild garlic
• Decaying fruit
• Hot springs / sulphur
• Wild rosemary
• Rotting leaf pile
• Honey of beehive?
• Cooked meat (fire)
• Resinous pine
• Wild strawberries
• Wood sorrel
• Sweet chestnut
• Sun-warmed bark

• Rustling leaves
• Trickling water
• Distant birdsong
• Hooting owl
• Crunching footfall
• Snapping twigs
• Buzzing insects
• Wind rustling trees
• Pattering rain
• Hawk screech
• Wasp/bee buzzing
• Howl of wind
• Gurgle of stream
• Crisp leaves underfoot
• Rustle of birds in nest
• Scampering animal
• Crackling fire
• Gurgling stream
• Distant wolf howls
• Barking fox
• Tart wild berries
• Cooked mushrooms
• Cold stream water
• Hunted animals
• Foraged eggs
• Smooth stone
• Prickly pine needles
• Cool breeze
• Warm sunlight
• Spongy ferns underfoot
• Sharp twigs
• Velvety petals
• Slippery mud
• Sharp thorns
• Tender grass
• Tangled vines
• Prickly brambles
• Crunching acorns
• Gentle raindrops
• Bristly pinecones
• Snail slime
• Jagged, sharp stones

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How to Describe a Magical Forest

By Isobel Coughlan

Do you need some thoughts on how to describe a magical forest? Get some inspiration from the following 10 words and examples!

1. Mysterious

Something strange and not understood .

“Emma weaved between the trees, but she still didn’t understand what was causing the magic in the mysterious forest.”

“The forest was simply mysterious . No one understood why it attracted magical creatures.”

How it Adds Description

“Mysterious” shows that the forest’s magical powers or ambiance are not completely understood. This might make your character very curious about the setting, as they want to uncover the truth behind the magical “mystery.” This could lead to adventures in the forest as your character explores.

Something or somewhere that’s full of activity or conversation because of something exciting .

“The magical forest was always buzzing thanks to its inhabitants. There was always a new spell being crafted between the trees.”

“As Johnny entered the forest, he realized it was buzzing with energy. He’d never seen such a magical place in his life.”

If you want to describe the feeling of the forest’s magic or the general presence of magical energy, you can use the word “buzzing.” This verb shows that the magic is so potent that it’s very noticeable when compared to non-magical locations. This might excite characters, but some may also find it scary, especially if they don’t understand it.

3. Enchanting

Somewhere very attractive or charming .

“The enchanting forest beckoned witches into the trees. You didn’t have to be an expert to understand that it was a magical place.”

“Eli found the forest enchanting . He couldn’t stop staring at the glowing trees and sparkling grass.”

“Enchanting” can be used to show that your fictional forest is very aesthetically attractive. This may reinforce why your character likes the place, and some might be in awe of the forest’s  “enchanting” appearance. Some characters might even get drawn in by the forest’s “enchanting” nature, even if the forest is filled with dark magic.

Somewhere very strange and odd.

“Alex thought the forest was more bizarre than attractive. He didn’t feel comfortable being surrounded by magic.”

“The wizard dreamed of the bizarre forest every night. He was certain that the magical place was calling his name.”

If you want to show that your magical forest has a strange side, you can use “bizarre.” This adjective shows that there’s something different or odd about the forest, and this might put your character on edge. They might not be able to relax in the forest until they know why it seems so “bizarre.”

5. Wonderful

Somewhere that’s pleasant and extremely good.

“Tinkerbell gasped when she flew into the wonderful forest. She felt so at home in the magical trees.”

“Peter thought the magical forest was truly wonderful . He decided he would return again next year.”

You can show how positive and likable your forest is through “wonderful.” This adjective shows that your character enjoys being in the forest, and this could lead to their mood being better or more exciting when in the forest.

6. Impressive

Something that impresses you due to size, skill, or degree.

“The fairy king knew his magical forest was impressive , and he used it to his advantage.”

“Edna tried to deny it, but her facial expression gave away the fact that she thought the forest was impressive .”

A magical forest is a very unique setting, and due to its rarity, many non-magical characters might find it “impressive.” This shows that it’s something out of the ordinary, and it might stop some characters in their tracks, especially if they’ve never seen anything magical before.

7. Powerful

Something that can influence events or control people.

“As soon as Geena stepped into the powerful forest, its magic took over her senses. For a second, she didn’t even know who she was anymore.”

“The forest was so powerful that Juan could feel its magic in his bones for months after his visit.”

If your fictional forest is home to particularly potent magic, you can call it “powerful.” This adjective shows that the magical forest has the ability to influence visitors, which might make some characters apprehensive about visiting. However, some curious characters might make a point of visiting the “powerful” forest to see the forest’s potent magic in person.

8. Majestic

Something very dignified and beautiful.

“All of the trees in the majestic forest were pearly white and glittered in the sun.”

“The elven queen enjoyed spending her afternoons practicing her spells in the majestic forest.”

A “majestic” magical forest might be more dignified or noble than other places, and therefore, upper-class or royal characters might gravitate to it. Poorer characters might dream of experiencing the “majestic” forest, and they might try to build their own magic skills or build their finances in order to be allowed in.

9. Formidable

Something that’s so powerful that it makes people scared or frightened.

“Kaleb was unsure about traveling through the formidable forest. He’d heard too many stories of wizards and dark magic in its grounds.”

“The formidable forest scared the peasants as the local witches practiced their hexes amidst the magical trees.”

“Formidable” shows that the magical forest might not be filled with good magic, and therefore, some characters are scared to enter. This could be because they fear the unknown, or maybe they’re scared of being hurt or cursed by the forest’s dark magic.

10. Shadowy

A place that’s filled with shadows or is very dark.

“The grand high witch lived amongst the tall trees in the shadowy forest.”

“Bella’s fear of magic came from the strange sounds that came from the shadowy forest. She could always hear cults chanting in tongues despite the thick vegetation.”

If you want to portray your magical forest as a dark place filled with evil magic, you can use “shadowy.” This adjective paints a gloomy image of the setting, and it shows your reader that the location looks different from typical forests. Characters may refuse to enter the “shadowy” forest because it’s too dark and hard to navigate.

Writer In A Hat

Julia h dixon, author of speculative fiction..

• How To Describe Trees, Forests & Woodland In Fiction Writing

Good writing has a range of vocabulary. A single word can make all the difference to the tone and meaning of a sentence. There are times when I struggle to find the correct terminology, so I have decided to create word masterlists – helping me and you to write precisely. View the archive of vocabulary masterlists here. Or see any of the following:

• How To Describe Fields, Grassland And Meadows In Fiction Writing
• How To Describe Marshes, Swamps and Bogs In Fiction Writing

Little known fact about me: I’m something of a conservationist. I have a degree in conservation and since 2016 I’ve worked with the Wildlife Trust, the UK’s leading conservation and nature recovery charity. Nature is vast and complicated and there is no way of fitting all the possible terminology onto one list. For this reason, in this post I will be solely focusing on words for trees, forests and woodlands and the features therein, and will largely be focused on UK and European woodlands, though I’m sure a lot of this can be applied elsewhere. This is also not an exhaustive list of everything in a forest, but is a jumping off point for myself and for you to use. With that said, I hope you find this helpful.

Remember: Not all of these words are interchangeble! Read the definitions carefully to make sure you are using the words correctly.

Words for A Group Of Trees

From this list, you would have noticed that these terms not only describe a group of trees, but rather the function of that group of trees. AKA “Are those trees managed and why?”

This is something to consider when describing a woodland. If it is managed, don’t only consider why but consider how . Is it grazed by cattle? Is it cut back by human workers? Different management techniques result in different types of habitat, ergo different terminology.

Don’t assume that if a habitat is not artificially managed that it’s simply a wild, untamed mess. Nature has it’s way of shaping the landscape and can appear surprisingly logical even in the harshest of environments. Consider the impact wild animals, natural fires, weather, and competing plants will have on the appearance of the landscape.

The Difference Between Coniferous And Deciduous (And Why It Matters)

Deciduous or broadleaved trees grow their leaves during the spring and lose them during the winter. Coniferous trees grow needles and cones instead of leaves, which don’t shed seasonally.

The reason this matters is because whether your forest is coniferous or deciduous will impact the ecosystem around it. Generally, you’re not going to get a mixed woodland of coniferous trees and deciduous trees. In the UK especially, coniferous forests such as pine forests are specially cultivated for the purpose of growing pine trees, so anything else is out. More to the point, deciduous and coniferous trees prefer different soil types so they won’t grow together. Deciduous trees usually prefer fertile, well-drained soil , whereas coniferous trees grow in acidic, often sandy soil which is lower in fertility because coniferous trees do not drop their leaves and these aren’t rotting down into the soil to provide it with nutrients.

Obviously you shouldn’t go to intense scientific detail about why your fictional forest looks the way it does because that would be pain-stakingly boring. My point is, if you’ve described a scene where a pine tree by an oak tree because you like pine trees and oak trees, maybe reconsider.

Descriptors And Adjectives For Describing Trees

Here’s some adjectives to inspire you to write a compelling description of trees and forests. I’ve paired them with what I associate with coniferous forests and deciduous ones, but these words can easily be used for both in the right circumstances .

Example: Describing a deciduous forest as ‘dry’ and ‘harsh’ tells me that the forest is not in very good condition and is dying. A privately owned coniferous forest will be quiet, but a coniferous woodlot will be noisy and full of workers.

Remember to keep in mind the time of day and time of year. Here’s a great list of 35 words to describe a forest at different times of day.

Words For Undergrowth

Another major difference between deciduous and coniferous forests is what grows beneath the trees. Due to the low nutrients in the soil around coniferous trees, the forest floor tends to be sparse of bushes and plants. ‘Undergrowth’ is generally a term used when describing deciduous forests, however some of these words can be used for either.

What sort of plants are in the undergrowth? All sorts! The easiest way to brainstorm ideas is to think about what your forest needs to sustain itself.

Plants flower. Plants provide food. When describing your natural setting, remember that there are most likely going to be animals living in that setting. And animals need to eat.

But before you put any old flowering bush in your woodland, consider seasonality , location , and the condition of the environment. Is it mushroom season? Are the flowers blooming? Have the berries ripened? All of these questions will depend on what plants are growing in your setting.

Woodlands are my favourite habitat. They’re instinstically beautiful and complex and there’s always more going on inside them than you think. If you found this helpful, be sure to leave a like. I would also reccomend the article below.

Furthur Reading: The Seven Layers Of A Forest.

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One thought on “ How To Describe Trees, Forests & Woodland In Fiction Writing ”

perfect words

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Julia h dixon.

Julia H Dixon wears many hats: She is an author, artist, pop culture nerd and essayist. She has a special love for speculative fiction. Her contemporary sci-fi story "Marched Away" won Northern Life's writing contest and featured in their June/July/August 2024 edition. View all posts by Julia H Dixon

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HELPFUL TIP:

Textures and sensations:, possible sources of conflict:, people commonly found in this setting:, setting notes and tips:, related settings that may tie in with this one:, setting description example:, techniques and devices used:, descriptive effects:.

Write that Scene

May your writing spirit live on forever

How to Write a Forest Scene

A. write more about the trees and greenery. give the reader insight to the location and the weather..

B. Write about the animals and the life that exist in this Forest. You can even make up your own and/ or it could be humans that live in the forest.

•  Orangutans spend most of their time in the forest canopy where they feed on leaves, figs and other fruit, bark, nuts, and insects. Large trees of the old-growth forests support woody vines that serve as aerial ladders, enabling the animals to move about, build their nests, and forage for food.
• The largest of all primates, the gorilla. Too large and clumsy to move about in the forest canopy, the gorilla lives on the forest floor where it forages for a variety of plant materials.
• The jaguar. Its endangered status is the result of hunting and habitat loss.
• The Puerto Rican parrot (Amazona vittata), a medium-sized, green bird with blue wing feathers
• Below the canopy the waters are filled with fish life. Kelp bass find the middle of the kelp forest to be a good hunting area, while Sheephead, a boldly colored fish, like to feed on the larger invertebrates that live among the kelp stipes and tend to hang out towards the bottom of the forest.
• Insects (morpho butterfly, Julia butterfly, Monarch butterfly, and millions of other insects) mammals (jaguar, ocelot, didelphid opossums, sloth, howler monkey, spider monkey, capybara, many bats, marmosets, procyonids, peccaries)
• Birds (quetzal, macaw, tinamous, curassows, hoatzins, hummingbirds, eagles, ovenbirds, antbirds, flycatchers, puffbirds, toucans, jacamars, tanagers, tapirs, troupials, honeycreepers, cardinal grosbeaks, xenops) reptiles (anaconda, caiman, iguanas, lizards, microteiid lizards, boas, and coral snakes), amphibians (poison arrow frog, etc.)
• Fish (electric eel, piranha), and millions of other animals.Australia – mammals (tree kangaroo, rat kangaroo, yellow-footed Antechinus, Giant White-tailed Uromys, opossums, bandicoot, echidna, duck-billed platypus, sugar glider, red legged pademelon)
• Reptiles (frilled lizard, carpet python, Green Tree Snake, Spotted Tree Monitor, Eastern Water Dragon, Boyd’s Forest Dragon, Northern Leaf Tailed Gecko)
• Amphibians (Giant Tree frog, Striped marsh frog, Northern Barred frog, Dainty Green Tree frog), and millions of other animals.Southeast Asia –
• mammals (tarsiers, orangutans, Siamangs, gibbons, colobine monkeys, tigers, tree shrews, binturong, moonrats, most flying foxes, colugos, bamboo rats, Oriental dormice)
• birds (tree swifts, leafbirds, fairy bluebirds, fantails, whistlers, flowerpeckers, wood swallows)
• insects (Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing butterfly, Goliath Birdwing butterfly, Saturn Butterfly) to name a few.West Africa –
• mammals (antelopes, bonobo, chimpanzee, gorilla, Mandrill, scaly-tailed squirrels, otter shrews, duikers, okapi, hippopotamus, Cercopithecus monkeys, bushbabies, pygmy hippo, duiker)
• birds (Congo peafowl, African Gray Parrot) to name a few.

C. Describe how these things have a connection to the story and to the overall plot. Give hint to how they will be a part of the journey.

I. What about the animals and the forest is important to the story and to the character? How are they a vital allie to the trail and the path of the rain forest?

I I. Ultimately how are these things good? Give signs and behavior patterns that will differentiate them from good and evil. Or keep it a mystery to enhance the dynamics of your story.

I I I. Use ideologies, metaphors, and similes to create an experience your character is having. How they connect with the forest atmosphere and the creatures who dwell inside this area.

 A. Why is your character there in the first place and how long do they plan on staying? Their journey can all the sudden become extended or shortened by anything.

I.  Think of all the things you might find in a dark forest and make them experience it.

• Insects in the mouth and eyes
• Branches in the face and tearing at clothes
• Tripping over roots and rocks
• Feet crunching on dirt, snapping twigs
• His/her own gasping breath in the silence
• Sounds of creatures pursuing him
• Howling of wolves in the distance
• Owls hooting in the night

I I. Explain their thoughts, the worries, even ultimately telling the reader what’s at stake for the character.

I I I. Do they meet someone along the way? Is there a barrier or path they cannot take or overcome? Or do they find a great shortcut? Is a shortcut even safe?

B. Is there anything out of the usual? Does it become too much for the character to handle to where they will need someone or something to help them? Maybe it’s the animals and life that live in the forest or the forest itself.

I. Is there magic involved? Are there a new philosophies or new rules that doesn’t pertain to our own world, involved? If so, who is controlling this? Does the character have an idea who might be behind these doing?

I I. Does the character actively call out loud for someone or something to help them? Does anyone come to their aid? Is it magical or ordinary? Where has this person or being been all that time? Was this all a test to begin with?

I I I. Must the character return the favor somehow or is it given for free? Does the character somehow speak to this thing or person or are they dumbfounded? Do they just accept what happened or begin to question the place they’re in? Does this mean they’re about to escape or try to at least?

C. Show some relief of the problem or a solution that is at a near distance. Give the reader hope for the character.

I. How are they coping with these sudden changes and surprises? Are they able to take a break at all and stop to get some air from what is going on?

I I.  If s/he’s running to vent because she heard something emotionally traumatizing and they’re running away from the impact it has on them, then s/he would be tripping and stumbling not out of fear but out of anxiety to get away.

If s/he’s running through the woods because it’s a pass time and they enjoy it, then you select words and thoughts and structure your sentences to give a peaceful tone (or whatever emotion you’re aiming for).

I I I. What talents skills or abilities does the character have the makes them seem not so hopeless?      

 A. Show how the forest becomes an aide to the character and/or the character becomes an aide/savior to the forest.

I. Can the animals speak English, can the character all the sudden communicate with the animals, or do they have to find a creative way to speak with each other?

I I. Maybe the trees sway in the wind and gives direction to the character on where to go, what if something randomly falls down as a way to direct the character to a specific path? You can use sound, you can use smell, you can use all the human senses. Be creative.

B. Is there any magic that is in the place? How about the connection between the scenery and the character? How does it strengthen them or how does it weaken them?

I. What type of Magic? Is it something that can be learned? Is it something that can be avoided or counteracted? Does the magic bring anything alive or keeps things dead? Does the magic prevent the forest from doing anything or allows it to do more than what it once could?

I I. Does the character softly walk through the forest to avoid from causing any harm? Does the character do anything weird to the forest such as pray to it or use the trees leaves as clothing? Why are they acting this way?

I I I. How about the forest? Does the forest do anything out of character to gain the character’s interest? Does it offer the character anything?

C. Are there hints in the forest that the character can only see and their enemy cannot? How does the forest communicate with the character? How does the character communicate with the forest?

I. Why can the character see these hints and the enemy cannot? How do they know that these are going to protect them? What has the forest done that makes the character believe it’s okay to to follow unknowingly or even listen to?

I I. How desperate does they forest become? Will they go to great lengths to protect the character? Or will the character go through great lengths to protect the forest? Where does this bond come from and how does it help the character easily flow through the forest?

I I I. Or maybe the forest is silent. Maybe the forest has no magic or is on no one side. If so, how does the character use the forest as they please?

A. Add some drama, some danger, what is breaking… what is causing Mayhem? How is the character mentally handling it and what might be their demise?

I. Give details about the great enemy. What is the character learning thus far? Who are their allies? At what point in their Journey are they at and how close are they to finishing?

I I. Are there any swamps, quicksand, spiders, snakes, or otherwise that wouldn’t necessarily be in another land? How much harder is it to journey through the forest than it is somewhere else?

I I I. Do they get injured, do they somehow make a mistake that they cannot take back? Has the forest abandoned them? Have the animals abandoned them? Have they abandoned themselves and their will to live?

B. If the enemy is directed towards the forest, then how does the forest cope with it and what is it doing to protect itself? How is the character helping to protect the forest if at all?

I. Why is this evil thing having a war with the forest? Does the character understand why? Is it a being? Is it nature? Is it a Mystic being? Is it the forest itself that’s their own enemy?

I I. Do the branches hit and sway? Do the leaves fall down from the branches to the ground as a way of surrender? Do the animals bite, bark growl? Do trees fall down? Do trees move as if they had feet?

C. Put a bit of focus on the enemy; the danger. How do they look? what are they doing? how does it seem for them to be in this Forest? what threats are they saying? what weapons do they have? how many people are on the enemy army? How much more powerful is this threat?

I. How does the face look? How powerful is this evil? How weak are they; what is their weak link? How long has the war/battle been going on?

I I. Where did this enemy come from? How evil are they or do they have some kindness to them? Is it never ending or does it have a downfall? Is it hurting itself by battling the forest or the character? Or is battling the forest or the character making it stronger?

I I I. If the character or the forest is battling themselves, then describe the pain they are inflicting on itself through the eyes of who is watching. How much longer until the end is near? In other words, is it hopeless to help?

 A. Is everything complete, is everything at peace, how does the character feel?

I. What are the goodbyes like? What actions do they take to make sure they are thanking the forest and that the forest understands what they’re saying?

I I. How much has the character contributed? Where does the health of the character and the forest lie? Are they both to thank for a good ending? Who’s to blame for a bad ending? Is there any animosity between the character and the forest? Remember, the animals are considered to be part of the forest.

I I I. Is there any gifts exchanged? Are there any songs sang? Is there a promise of return?

B. How about if the threat is still alive? how has the character left the threat or if they decide to stay how are they keeping the threat at bay?

I. Is threat gone away for a while? Is it sure to return? Will the character return before the threat returns but with more weapons or people to battle?

I I. If the character stayed, what are they doing in order to protect the forest? How much do they have to sacrifice to keep the forest in good shape? Is the forest doing anything to thank them or to protect the character in return? Is this a completely selfless act?

I I I. Vice versa. What must the forest do in order to continue to protect the character? How’s the character thanking the forest?

C. Let the reader know who’s in charge, whether it’s the character the forest or the enemy at the end of the scene. Let them know where it should start the next time you begin this scene. If it is finished then make sure you bring out the person you want to bring out on top. But not without consequence; there must be signs of a battle.

I. Who left the battle? Who had the most battle scars? Who showed signs of fear? And how did they show these signs if they weren’t human?

I I. Is there a prophecy? Were there hostile words exchanged? Was there a time when the character or the forest felt like they failed or were about to lose? Is this a false win?

I I I. Is there peace at the end of the scene? Or is there a lot to be desired? What is the last thing that the character remembers about the forest or sees?

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Lost in the Forest: Describing Words for a Story in a Forest

by melaniewp | Jun 23, 2013 | Controlled Assessment , Creative Writing , English Language Exam , GCSE , Writing | 0 comments

rhododendron – thick, glossy, dark green leaves, mid to low height with full, spreading shape, branches will pull back and judder if you run into them. In spring and autumn, flowers are white to deep purple, lavender and lilac through pink, large but not fragrant, dripping with dew, like wet silk, like tissue paper, waxy, large flowers…

Primroses  – pale yellow or cream in fat clumps, with a darker yellow eye at the centre, spreading mid-green leaves, cabbage-like texture…

Sunlight splashed through the branches, shifting with the wind that ran through the canopy. Dark, glossy leaves juddered on branches as they pushed in. Overhead the canopy shifted, casting down green light.

They threshed a path through the undergrowth. Ferns flattened beneath them, brambles clawing at their sides.

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HOW TO LET A WALK IN THE FOREST INSPIRE YOUR WRITING

Forest writing.

Have you ever gone for a walk with a naturalist or a bird watcher? They miss nothing.

“Look! Did you see that? Here, feel the underside of this leaf.” I want to journey through life, seeing and writing about the beauty in every blade of grass under my feet, and story characters in each cloud.

All these paths lead ‘nowhere,’ yet people arrive every day to follow them. With a journey that begins at a parking lot and ends up back in the same place, no two people have the same goal for being in the woods.

Outfitted with pedometers or cameras to gather images of their grandchildren at play, they pass with a nod and a smile. I go for exercise and fresh air and ideas for writing.

My companion soaks up the landscape with its lady slippers and wild rabbits, which will become watercolor paintings later.

ONE PATH, MANY JOURNEYS

People in City Forest walk the same paths but travel unique journeys. And they all end up in the parking lot when they are finished.

However, some days we find ourselves walking from crack to crack on a deserted sidewalk in the rain. Or our travels may take us through a desert with no distinct trails, and we must rely on the position of the sun and the strength of a camel.

How do we live to have no regrets when we find ourselves back in the parking lot?

The answer differs for each person, but it arises from love, curiosity, and creativity.

I encourage you to take metaphorical walks with a bird watcher to see what you may be missing. They will teach you to observe with new eyes.

“What just moved? Look! Do you see the Red-winged blackbird behind the yellow birch? She wants to distract us from seeing her nearby nest. “Let’s go around this stand of hemlocks and see what we find…”

Every naturalist or avian aficionado is made of the same stuff as a writer, artist, or gourmet chef.

For years I put off creative writing   – too  ‘busy’ earning a living. Oh yes, I had other reasons.

I was afraid I might get lost in a forest of ideas. I wouldn’t have known a gerund if it flapped its feathers in front of me.

Then one day, I decided that I would strike out – no pedometer, no map, no goal other than to see what emerged along the way. And that, my friends, is how TheReflectivePen got started.

A BOARDWALK FOR WRITERS

My fear that this swamp will swallow me keeps me from writing everything that is in my heart.

That’s when I am grateful for those who have gone before and built a boardwalk. If you are one of those who have constructed a way to safely cross the ‘writing bog’ (and you know who you are), thank you.

On the other hand, if you are among the many, many people I meet who say, “I wish I could write,” I want to say, “There is a way – complete with handrails.”

The original mile-long wooden trail that crosses the bog in City Forest had nothing to keep anyone from falling into the wetlands; and also, nothing to keep trespassers from stepping off, killing the delicate flora of the preserve and destroying the habitat of the forest denizens.

Writing requires the same kind of pauses and resting places. And a willingness not to step off the boardwalk, destroying the protected wetlands.

A bog full of our doubts and fears also holds delicate blooms of rare insights we might otherwise miss. Writing asks us to be an observer, a philosopher, and a guardian of life.

GETTING LOST

I once thought I wasn’t smart enough to write because I didn’t have road signs and maps and a GPS. I spent most of my time hunting in ‘how-to’ books. However, they eliminate the fun of wandering through a forest of words, phrases, and metaphors, getting lost in ideas.

One day, in City Forest, I left the main trail to explore a bunny trail, and before I knew it, I was completely turned around with no idea where I was.

I knew which way was north and nervously headed in that direction, knowing I would come to something I recognized eventually. About 30 minutes later, the parking lot came into view like an oasis in the desert.

I later learned that a bear roamed in the restricted area I had wandered into. In my panic to find something familiar, I missed all evidence of a bear – including posted warnings on the trees.

Some signs are worth being aware of on our journey! If you are a regular follower of this blog, you will find yourself wandering along with me as I explore one path after another. That is my joy in life, and I encourage you to explore writing the same way.

Another story you may enjoy about a walk in the Maine woods is ‘ How To Leave A Legacy Story.’

IF YOU EVER THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO WRITE, A PLACE IS WAITING FOR YOU ON FACEBOOK. COME AND FIND DAILY PROMPTS AND A SMALL GROWING COMMUNITY TO WELCOME YOU.

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Setting Thesaurus Entry: Woods at Night

March 5, 2011 by BECCA PUGLISI

There is a forest entry already, but I think that at night the woods can be an entirely different setting, full of mystery and sometimes fear. I figured it deserved its own entry! Notice how other senses are utilized more so than sight–an unusual occurrence.

Dark tree trunks, shadows, overhanging limbs across the path seen at the last second, clumps of bushes, barely visible black trails snaking through the undergrowth, moon shining through a lattice of leaves, patchy sky & stars seen in glimpses through tree breaks, tall shadowed pines stretching up like arrows into the sky, streaks of cloud against the…

Wind slipping through leaves, cracking undergrowth with each step, creaking tree trunks, the flutter of wings unseen, snapping twigs, grass and weed sliding against pant legs, breathing sounds, coyote calls, fox yipping, wolves howling (if within location), snarls, padding feet along a trail, a grunt of pain at catching a root or tripping on dead fall, a rip of…

Rich earth, rotting leaves, pine needles, fresh air, a slight scent of flowers, earthy fungus, tree sap, wild animal musk (if close), possibly the spray of a skunk (if around), green growing things (spring & summer), moss

Sweat on lips, dryness in throat, sometimes a cold metallic tang if lots of stone is present

Cobwebs in face, cold, dewy leaves sliding across skin, slipping on wet leaves and mushrooms, tripping on bumpy roots, stones, dead fall, thorns scratching skin, scrapes and cuts on hands from falling in the dark, pine needles embedded in skin during fall, twisting and jerking at every unfamiliar sound, holding hands out to ward off unseen obstacles like tree…

Helpful hints:

–Think about the conflict that might be present in your setting.

Your character’s emotions will be on high alert at night because their visibility is low, making it a great time to insert conflict. This Conflict Scenario Database is loaded with ideas to help you.

–The words you choose can convey atmosphere and mood.

Example 1:  Devin dove behind a wide cedar trunk just off the trail. Heart slamming against his ribs, he gulped at the air, trying to slow his breathing enough to hear. Back in the shadows, branches thrashed and snapped as Valio growled sharp orders to his men. Sunset had finally drained out of the sky overhead, sheathing the woods in shadow. Devin pressed his face against the bark, the ridges biting into his skin, and tried to become one with the tree…

–Similes and metaphors create strong imagery when used sparingly.

Example 1: (Simile)  Eileen worked her way along the narrow trail, leaves sliding across her bare forearms like wet tongues…

Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via One Stop For Writers —a powerhouse online library created to help writers elevate their storytelling.

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Reader Interactions

May 1, 2020 at 8:45 am

This is my new account! Thanks for all your kind replies! 🙂

March 11, 2020 at 3:32 pm

if anyone could help me with how to describe palaces and castles, please comment me back.

March 11, 2020 at 4:24 pm

HI Kit, You can find information on Castles and other fantasy settings at our site, One Stop for Writers: https://onestopforwriters.com/scene_settings

Happy writing! ~angela

December 27, 2019 at 8:16 am

this has just made me re think and re write my whole stroy thank you this really helps

May 1, 2020 at 8:43 am

happy to help!

P.S. I’m Angela, this is just a new account! 🙂

July 13, 2017 at 2:55 pm

I would take that fear away from you Laura. Having spend my childhood surrounded by woods on the hills and shore of Cayuga Lake I have spent time in the woods alone at night. It is the imagination and the untrained ear that brings fear into the equation. Shadows unseen during the day become magical at night. All the nocturnal animals want nothing to do with you.

May 1, 2020 at 8:44 am

Thank you so much for your kind reply. Happy to help you always!

December 9, 2011 at 3:17 pm

I do not think I would be walking around the woods at night.

December 6, 2011 at 2:06 pm

Just came across this one and I have to say, it really helped me with a scene I was struggling with. Thank you so much!

March 9, 2011 at 9:15 am

I think the dark tree trunks description sums it up for me. Creepy and suspenseful. This will help me loads in my continued search for publication and getting my story just right.

March 7, 2011 at 1:20 pm

I totally agree, Ralfast. I was just talking about this the other day with my kids, that if they really wanted to see what it would be like at night they would have to go far, far out into the country, beyond all light pollution and population.

March 7, 2011 at 1:15 pm

What makes forest so frightening for the modern viewer/reader is the near total darkness. We are so used to having sources of light 24/7 that our mind panics when we lack it.

March 6, 2011 at 2:41 pm

I love the woods and only a few times have I experienced them at night. It can be a beautiful-creepy feeling.

March 6, 2011 at 1:41 pm

Great–I’m so glad this one helps. So many great stories have night scenes that take place in a forest or wooded area. I think this is a setting that naturally creates tension.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

March 6, 2011 at 2:23 am

Ooooh, just thinking about the woods at night gives me the willies. You nailed it!

March 5, 2011 at 8:23 pm

Very timely. Might be needing this for my wip!Thanks!

March 5, 2011 at 7:31 pm

Loved this post! I just recently started reading this blog, and it has helped me to totally rethink how I’m going to write! Thanks!

March 5, 2011 at 11:25 am

Just wrote a scene involving the woods at night. You are right, they definitely deserve their own entry!

March 5, 2011 at 11:08 am

This totally makes me want to go write a fairy tale. =)

March 5, 2011 at 10:46 am

The woods are lovely dark and deep but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep….

March 5, 2011 at 8:58 am

Walking through the woods at night is definitely different than during the day! I don’t think you could pay me to walk through the woods at night!

[…] Does your setting take place at night? Check out this similar Entry: WOODS AT NIGHT […]

[…] beautiful Brothers Grimm-inspired gallery of forest photographs. And if you get stuck, check out Writing Helping Writers’ “Forest Thesaurus” for even more […]

[…] hushed voices and whispers, muffled footsteps, your own heartbeat. Also, see the setting entry Woods at Night. EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS: Mood: Falling stars happen so quickly; to catch sight of one makes the […]

Using sensory language for describing settings

by NikkiYoungAuthor | Apr 14, 2020

When we describe settings in our writing, it’s important to consider not only what you can see, but to use all your senses to give a full description of the sounds, scents, textures and even how it makes you feel.

Young Writer , Isobel, is here to give you the full lowdown on how it’s done. Notice how she takes you through, step by step, building from one simple sentence to a whole paragraph of descriptive writing to describe settings.

Over to you, Isobel…

So, you want to describe something. Great! Let’s just assume, for simplicity’s sake, you already have a picture or something you can describe it from.

Take this image here. Now, how do you describe this setting? The obvious thing is to start with what you can see.

The forest was dark and misty. The trees were bare and the moon was bright.

Even from just that small sentence, you can already see the problem. A brilliant way to improve any description is to add some sensory language . This means adding words or adjectives to show not just what you can see, but what you can feel, smell, taste and hear.

The forest was dark and misty, cold and silent. The bare trees were damp and the moonlight was bright.

You can feel the difference in them, can’t you? Using sensory language can really help to convey mood and setting, as well as the overall feeling of a scene. Now, let’s add some more description with an embedded clause .

The forest was dark and misty, cold and silent. The bare trees, branches thin and spindly, were damp and the moonlight was bright.

Fourthly, let’s add some imagery . We’re going to use a simile (saying something is like something else) and a metaphor (saying something is something else). In the passage, we’re also going to use some personification (saying something inanimate is doing something like a living thing).

The forest was as dark as coal and misty, cold and silent. The bare trees, branches thin and spindly, loose threads, were damp and the moonlight danced between them.

Let’s add a few more sentences using everything we’ve done so far to make them super descriptive.

The forest was as dark as coal and misty, cold and silent. The bare trees, branches thin and spindly, loose threads, were damp and the moonlight danced between them. The air was still and eerie, like the surface of a lake at midnight. The night sky was cloudy, blanketed in a thick layer of ashy fog. The dead leaves on the ground crunched underfoot. The beam of my flashlight sputtered out, last breath leaving it, and I was left in darkness.

But we aren’t done. Every sentence in the paragraph above begins with “the”, and it isn’t very exciting to read. So we’re going to use some different styles of sentence openers, such as Ing-Words, Imagery, Prepositions and Timephrases.

Around me, the forest was dark as coal and misty, cold and silent. Reaching up, the bare trees, branches thin and spindly, loose threads, were damp and the moonlight danced between them. Like the surface of a lake at midnight, the air was still and eerie and blanketed in a thick layer of ashy fog, the night sky was cloudy. As I walked, the dead leaves on the ground crunched underfoot. Sputtering out, my flashlight took its final breath, and I was left in darkness.

So, we’ve come from two short and relatively uninteresting sentences to a paragraph chock-full of language techniques, dynamic sentence starters and immersive sensory imagery.

For more writing exercises, see the Storymakers blog .

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27 Ways to Describe a Forest Fire: Words and Tips

Last Updated: September 19, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lydia Stevens and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA . Lydia Stevens is the author of the Hellfire Series and the Ginger Davenport Escapades. She is a Developmental Editor and Writing Coach through her company "Creative Content Critiquing and Consulting." She also co-hosts a writing podcast on the craft of writing called "The REDink Writers." With over ten years of experience, she specializes in writing fantasy fiction, paranormal fiction, memoirs, and inspirational novels. Lydia holds a BA and MA in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 28,674 times.

Forest fires are among nature’s greatest spectacles, which means that describing them can pose some challenges. How do you capture their color, heat, and intensity on the page? What words should you use? We’ll give you 27 strong words and synonyms to use when describing a blaze, as well as tips and samples to help you tame that fire and put it into writing.

Things You Should Know

• Use strong adjectives to convey the scene, like "blazing" or “scorching.”
• Including descriptions of the fire based on the 5 senses can help ground a reader. Describe how the fire and the area around it looks, smells, feels, sounds, and tastes.
• Study how other writers write about forest fires to inform your own writing and give you inspiration.

Words to Describe a Forest Fire

• You can also compare the forest fire to a place like Hades, a mythical setting that really establishes a vibe for a reader.

• Other good words are “conflagration” and “combustion.”

• “Searing” is a similar word that conveys the heat and damage a forest fire can do.

• Other effective figurative phrases like “ocean of fire” or “wall of flame.”

• Try something like “The forest fire devoured everything in its path” brings it to life and makes it more animated, like it has a mind of its own.
• Also try describing the fire as “hungry” or “greedy,” to give it a sense of personification and action.

• A similar term is “apocalyptic,” which is a strong adjective that offers a sense of doom.

• Words like “renewing” or “natural” help to convey a forest fire’s beneficial aspects.

• Another idea is to describe the trees or embers as “exploding,” to lend a more violent tone to the scene.

• Forest fires also “gleam” or are “blinding.”

• For example: “The forest fire’s smoke emitted a smoggy haze over the city that sat downwind of the blaze.”

• “The smoke from the fire stifled the fleeing animals and caused them to choke.”

• You might also say a fire “glowed” or “churned.”

Tips to Describe Fire in Your Writing

• Make a list of adjectives for each of the senses and try to incorporate some of these into your writing to really bring the scene to life.
• A fire might look bright or intense.
• A forest fire might smell like charred wood, or even just like a campfire.
• The area around a forest fire can taste like ash or smoke.
• Forest fires roar and crackle, which are great words to describe the sound.
• Finally, a forest fire is hot, of course–so hot it can scorch or sear whatever it touches.

• If you want the fire to come across as scary, try using words like “devouring” or “apocalyptic.”
• If you’re trying for a lighter or more optimistic mood, try words like “cleansing” or “renewing.”

• Readers make the best writers, because you're learning vocabulary that you may not have known before.

Example Descriptions of Fire

Expert Q&A

• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/inferno
• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/blaze
• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/scorching
• ↑ https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/sea%20of%20flames
• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/cataclysm
• ↑ https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ecological-benefits-fire
• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/burst
• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/glare
• ↑ https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/experts-forest-fires-and-smog-332148
• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/smolder
• ↑ https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/portfolio.newschool.edu/dist/2/14941/files/2017/06/WRITTING_5enses-209gmgv.pdf
• ↑ https://www.litcharts.com/literary-devices-and-terms/mood
• ↑ https://selfpublishing.com/setting-of-a-story/
• ↑ https://reporter.rit.edu/views/does-reading-really-improve-your-writing
• ↑ https://www.google.com/books/edition/Shardik/exKEDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover
• ↑ https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/20/1007478/california-wildfires-climate-change-heatwaves/
• ↑ https://www.gutenberg.org/files/178/178-h/178-h.htm
• ↑ https://freakonomics.com/podcast/how-to-be-better-at-death-ep-450/
• ↑ https://files.gabbart.com/200/little_house_on_the_prairie__pdfdrivecom_.pdf

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