When I’m writing, I can tend to be too focused on the action and advancing the plot (which isn’t a bad thing!) but too much can leave the finished scene feeling a little sterile, needing deeper investment in descriptives. This is where a thesaurus like Angela’s could be helpful.

In my current writing project, there are a number of scenes inside several different diners where I’ve set some conversation as the characters in this particular road story stop for a bite to eat. Strictly speaking, I need them to sit down, order and eat their burgers (or whatever), have their bit of conversation and move on. I’m typically not focused on the setting of the diner as much as I could be, describing some of the sights, sounds, and smells they find there. These meal stops on the road trip are intended to stop the action just for a bit, so adding more description here would really help not only the scene, but set the right pace for these parts of the novel.

Since I’m in the process of editing some of these scenes now, I think I’ll take a page from Angela’s book and sit down to brainstorm some words and phrases to describe some of these settings. That way as I edit or write new scenes, I’ll have a ready source of descriptors to use. Then of course, there’s her thesaurus entry for ‘diner’ as well.

Take a look at the sidebar on Angela Ackerman’s blog, and you see a long list of these thesaurus entries, covering a wide variety of emotions and settings. Each category list starts with a definition of what that particular thesaurus is, like the one for the setting thesaurus. Her list was clearly a lot of work to compile, but it now represents an invaluable resource in the midst of a writing project.

CATALYST: Your story starts out in balance and the catalyst upsets the balance. This turmoil is what gives your story direction.

BIG EVENT: The event that changes the main characters life in a major way.

PINCH: Plot twist and point of no return for your main character, where motivation is strengthened and what they have to do is made perfectly clear.

CRISIS: Event forces the crucial decision for the lead character; typically where it seems all is lost.

SHOWDOWN: Also known as the climax; central character faces off against their opposition for the final time.

REALIZATION: Immediately after the showdown, may even begin during it. This is where it is apparent that your central character has grown, changed or realized something.

From WritingRoom :: How To Structure A Screenplay.