creative writing about a mountain

The Top 10 Descriptive Paragraphs About Mountains

Written by Dan

Last updated February 15, 2024

As a teacher, when you’re looking for examples of descriptive paragraphs for your class to study and explore, there’s no better subject than the majesty of mountains. Mountains offer a different type of beauty—one that can be both awe-inspiring and peaceful simultaneously.

To help give your students an idea of what mountain descriptions look like, we’ve created a list with some of the top 10 most evocative passages about mountains—all written by some beloved authors over the years!

In this post, we’ll examine each with insightful quotes from each passage so that teachers can use material in their classroom activity instructions to further illustrate how expansive and captivating a description about mountains can truly be.

Related : For more, check out our article on  Descriptive Paragraphs About King Charles  here.

Table of Contents

1. The Majestic Mountains

The mountains, like the ancient sentinels of a forgotten realm, stand tall and proud, their peaks scraping the soft belly of the cerulean sky. They rise like majestic titans, their silhouettes etched defiantly against the backdrop of the heavens.

These mountains are an epitome of grandeur and resilience, a living testament to the earth’s might and its relentless endurance. Their formidable stature is a constant reminder of the planet’s ageless strength and timeless persistence.

Their rugged surfaces, etched with the countless stories of time, are a complex tapestry of shadows and light. These surfaces, worn by the ceaseless march of seasons, bear the imprints of centuries, their crinkles and folds narrating tales of eras gone by.

This intricate mosaic of crevices and ridges, illuminated and concealed by the shifting sun, is a testament to the relentless passage of time and the enduring spirit of nature.

The sun, a celestial artist, paints the mountains with a precision that is nothing short of poetic. As it embarks on its daily journey across the expansive horizon, it bathes the mountains in a kaleidoscope of colors, from the soft pastels of dawn to the fiery hues of dusk.

The play of light and shadow over the mountains’ rugged terrain creates a dynamic landscape that changes with every passing hour, offering an ever-evolving spectacle of natural beauty.

The craggy faces of these mountainous giants, speckled with the vibrant greens of hardy vegetation and the pristine white of winter snow, hold a raw, natural beauty that is both awe-inspiring and humbling.

The contrast between the harsh, unyielding rock and the delicate, fleeting snowflakes or the resilient, tenacious greenery serves as a stark reminder of nature’s paradoxical character — its capacity for both ruthlessness and gentleness.

This juxtaposition, this symphony of extremes, contributes to the mountains’ mesmerizing allure, making them a sight that is as humbling as it is breathtaking.

Related : For more, check out our article on  Descriptive Paragraphs About The Queen  here.

2. A Symphony of Silence

Listen closely! The mountains speak in a symphony of silence, a language so profound that it transcends words. This silence is punctuated only by the crisp crunch of snow underfoot or the distant echo of a lone bird’s call.

It is a sound that reverberates deep within the soul, a profound hush that drowns out the clamor of the world below, offering a sanctuary where one can hear the whisper of their own thoughts. This silence is not empty but full of a stillness that sings a song of tranquility and peace.

The mountains, silent sentinels of a bygone era, are soothing balms for the soul. They offer refuge from the bustle and anxiety of daily life, allowing one to connect with a peacefulness that is eons old.

For those in need of solace, these quiet giants are beacons of hope, providing a place where one can rest and replenish their reserves of energy and strength.

The mountains beckon us to their untamed peak, inviting us to explore and discover the lessons that lay hidden within their depths. Beyond the chilly winds and steep slopes are secrets that remain untouched and unspoken, waiting for those who will brave its heights.

Those courageous enough to venture into the mountains will be rewarded with a serenity so profound it seems almost sacred, an experience they are unlikely to forget.

The mountains are powerful and mysterious, a place of awe and reverence. They are a reminder that in the vastness of our world lies something greater than ourselves, an ancient wisdom that can only be found in the silent depths of their peaks.

The majestic beauty of these silent giants stands as a testament to our fragile planet and its enduring spirit—a spirit that will continue to speak in its own language, a language of silence.

Related : For more, check out our article on  Descriptive Paragraphs About Macbeth  here.

3. The Beauty of Solitude

In the heart of the mountains, solitude is not a state of loneliness, but a tranquil companionship with nature. Here, one can commune with the wind that rustles through the pines, the snow that blankets the slopes, and the rocks that have stood the test of time.

Each element is a friend, offering comfort in its constant, unchanging presence. This solitude nurtures the spirit, providing a space for reflection and introspection, a chance to connect with oneself amidst the majesty of the natural world.

The mountains are a place of calm and repose, where one can be surrounded by beauty while still remaining in control. Here, the elements are at peace, and one is free to explore the depths of their own inner world.

The harshness of the terrain encourages self-reliance and teaches resilience, while its serenity facilitates contemplation and growth. The mountains offer a unique opportunity to experience the joy of being alone, far away from the clamor and chaos of everyday life.

The beauty of the mountains is that they offer something for everyone. For some, it’s an escape from the hustle and bustle; for others, an adventure in a wild and untamed world.

But no matter what the purpose, in the mountains one is never truly alone. The company of nature’s elements provides an unspoken companionship—a presence that remains steady and true no matter how far one ventures into the unknown.

The mountains are a place of solace, with their majestic beauty and ancient secrets luring us to explore its depths. Here, amidst the stillness and peace of its peaks, we can find refuge from the chaos of life. The mountains are a reminder that no matter how isolated we may feel, there is always something greater than ourselves that surrounds and sustains us.

They offer a glimpse into an ancient wisdom beyond our understanding, serving as both an inspiration and a protector. In these silent giants lies the promise of solace and serenity, a reminder that beauty and power are intertwined in the timeless embrace of nature.

Related : For more, check out our article on  Descriptive Paragraphs About The Wind  here.

4. The Dance of Light and Shadow

At dawn, the mountains are cloaked in ethereal hues of pink and gold, their jagged silhouettes sharp against the awakening sky. As the day progresses, they transform into an ever-changing tableau of light and shadow, each hour revealing a new facet of their beauty.

The sun, in its celestial dance, plays with the mountains, casting shadows that creep and retreat, highlighting ridges and illuminating valleys. At dusk, they are bathed in the fiery glow of the setting sun, their peaks aflame with a riot of colors, as if bidding a spectacular farewell to the day.

The mountains are a living, breathing canvas, their faces ever-changing. The subtle hues of morning mist, the play of light and shadow at noon and twilight’s golden curtain; each is a unique symphony that speaks to the soul.

They evoke emotions ranging from awe and wonder to reverence and serenity, inspiring feelings that can only be found in the embrace of nature.

The mountains are more than just a beautiful sight, they are portals to an alternate reality filled with possibility and potential. They remind us that there is beauty even in moments of darkness, if we take the time to look for it.

By exploring their depths, we can discover our own inner strength and courage—strengths that can be found only in the depths of their majestic passes.

The beauty of the mountains is timeless, and as the sun sets each day they remind us that the world is constantly changing, even if it appears otherwise. They invite us to step into a realm where dreams are made and infinite potential awaits.

No matter how daunting it may seem, these silent sentinels are a reminder that the journey is worth taking—for in the depths of their peaks lies an enchantment beyond our wildest imaginings.

5. The Mountains’ Might

The mountains, with their towering peaks and deep, mysterious valleys, are a testament to the earth’s raw power. They are sculpted by the relentless forces of wind and water, carved by the slow crawl of glaciers and the ceaseless march of time.

Their strength is palpable, radiating a quiet assurance that they will endure long after we have returned to the dust. Their might serves as a reminder of our own insignificance in the face of nature’s grandeur, a humbling experience that puts our fleeting existence into perspective.

The mountains are a source of strength and inspiration, pushing us to the limits of our physical and mental abilities. They challenge us in ways that other environments cannot, teaching resilience and perseverance in the face of hardship.

The sheer magnitude of their slopes teach us humility, while their rugged beauty elicits feelings of awe and wonderment. In the presence of these silent sentinels, we can’t help but feel small.

The mountains are a source of solace and strength—a reminder that beauty and power are intertwined in the timeless embrace of nature. Here, amidst the stillness and peace of its peaks, we can find refuge from the chaos of life. The mountains beckon us to explore beyond our comfort zone, reminding us that there is always something greater than ourselves that we can strive for.

They offer a glimpse into an ancient wisdom beyond our understanding, a reminder that the journey is worth taking—for in the depths of their peaks lies an enchantment beyond our wildest imaginings.

6. The Call of the Wild

In the heart of the mountains, the wild calls with a primal lure, awakening a deep-seated yearning for exploration and adventure. Here, amidst the rugged terrain, the untamed beauty, one can feel truly alive, their senses sharpened by the crisp mountain air and the stunning vistas that unfold at every turn.

The mountains call to the adventurer within us, beckoning us to lose ourselves in their wilderness, to breathe in their purity, to become one with their untamed spirit.

The mountains are a playground for the soul, an escape from the mundane and everyday. They invite us to explore their secrets, to discover forgotten trails hidden in their folds, to marvel at their natural wonders.

Here we can find true freedom, where danger is ever-present and adventure abounds. The wild beckons to us—to take risks, face our fears, and test the limits of ourselves.

The mountains are a reminder that life should be lived to its fullest. They invite us to break free from the chains of everyday life and take a leap into the unknown. Here we can find solace in nature’s embrace, discover hidden treasures, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and adventure.

The mountains are a call to the wild, an invitation to explore their depths and discover our true potential. They offer us a glimpse into an ancient wisdom beyond our understanding, reminding us that beauty and power are intertwined in the timeless embrace of nature. Adventure awaits—all we have to do is heed its call. Take the plunge, embrace the risk, and find strength in the wild.

7. A Sanctuary of Serenity

The mountains offer a sanctuary of serenity, a haven from the hustle and bustle of life. Their timeless beauty and tranquil silence provide a balm for the weary soul, healing the wounds inflicted by the frenetic pace of modern existence.

Here, one can find peace, solitude, and a profound connection with nature. The mountains teach us to slow down, to appreciate the simple beauty of a sunrise or the quiet majesty of a snow-capped peak, to find joy in the journey rather than the destination.

The mountains have a magnetic quality, an otherworldly aura that draws us in. They offer a respite from the noise and chaos of life—a place to reflect, rejuvenate, and find clarity. In their embrace we can reconnect with our true selves, discover our innermost passions and dreams, and begin anew.

The mountains are a reminder of the power of nature and its ability to heal. They are a source of strength, courage, and peace—a sanctuary for the weary traveler. Each peak is an invitation to explore, to climb higher than ever before and bask in the awe-inspiring beauty that lies beyond.

The mountains provide a refuge from our daily lives, offering us solace in their stillness and serenity. Let us take a deep breath and be filled with the peace that only nature can provide.

8. The Seasons’ Canvas

The mountains are the canvas upon which the seasons paint their masterpieces. Winter swathes them in a blanket of pristine snow, transforming their rough terrain into a shimmering wonderland of white.

Spring adorns them with a burst of color as flowers bloom and trees bud, breathing life into their slopes. Summer bathes them in warmth and light, revealing their full splendor in the long, golden days. Autumn, the grand artist, sets them ablaze with fiery hues of red and orange, making a spectacle of their descent into winter.

The canvas of the mountains is ever-changing, a stark reminder that nothing in life is constant. The rocky terrain is both relentless and resilient, weathering centuries of storms, floods, snowstorms, and droughts. It stands as a silent witness to the passing of time—to the ebbs and flows of nature’s cycle—reminding us of our own mortality.

The mountains are a reminder that life is fleeting, but also ever-renewing. They offer us a glimpse into the renewal of life through the changing seasons, reminding us to take pleasure in the little moments and savor each experience with all our senses. Let us be still and marvel at the beauty of nature’s canvas, for here lies a never-ending source of inspiration.

The mountains are more than just a backdrop to life’s ups and downs—they are our teachers, guides, and companions. In their embrace we can find strength and solace in times of struggle, and joy and peace in times of ease.

Let us take the time to listen to their silent voices, and find the courage to embrace their call. The mountains await—all we have to do is heed its call. Take the plunge, embrace the risk, and explore the wilds of life’s eternal canvas.

9. The Mountains’ Majesty

There is an undeniable majesty to the mountains. They rise from the earth like colossal sculptures, their contours shaped by the hand of nature. Their peaks, wreathed in clouds, seem to touch the heavens, reaching for the stars in their silent, stoic way.

Their valleys, cloaked in mist, hold a mystical allure, hiding secrets in their depths. In their towering grandeur, the mountains command respect and awe, inspiring poets and artists, dreamers and adventurers alike.

The mountains challenge us, calling us to re-examine our place in the natural world. They remind us of our insignificance and mortality, but also of the strength and resilience that lies within all of us.

Here we can find courage to take risks, explore new possibilities, and live life to its fullest. The mountains beckon—to stand in their glory, to marvel at their timeless beauty, and to be moved by the awesomeness of nature.

The mountains offer us a chance to reconnect with the wildness within ourselves—a part of our true selves that has been forgotten in today’s modern world. To climb a mountain is to break free from the mundane routine of life, to escape from the confines of comfort and be filled with a sense of freedom.

Let us take a moment to marvel at the majesty of the mountains, for here lies an inexhaustible source of inspiration and strength.

The mountains have been witnesses to our struggles and triumphs throughout history—they are part of our collective memory, a reminder that we can overcome any obstacle and find joy in the journey.

Let us embrace their call and take a plunge into the unknown, for here lies a chance to explore uncharted terrain and discover our true potential. The mountains await—all we have to do is heed its call. Take the plunge, embrace the risk, and find strength in the wilds of life’s ever-changing landscape.

10. The Mountains’ Song

The mountains sing a song as old as time itself. It is a melody woven from the rustle of leaves, the babble of brooks, the whistle of the wind, and the call of the wild. It is a symphony that resonates in the heart, a tune that speaks of peace, strength, beauty, and the eternal rhythm of nature.

This song, once heard, stays with you, a haunting melody that calls you back to the mountains, to their majesty, their solitude, and their wild, untamed beauty.

The mountains’ song is a reminder to take pleasure in the little moments and savor each experience with all our senses. Let us pause to listen and be filled with the serenity that only nature can provide.

The mountains may be silent, but their song speaks of life and its mysteries—of adventure, courage, hope, and renewal. In its embrace we can find the strength to take risks, explore new possibilities, and live life to its fullest.

The mountains are alive with their song—a never-ending source of inspiration and courage. Let us take a moment to listen, and find the resolve to heed their call.

Take the plunge, embrace the risk, and explore the wilds of life’s eternal song. The mountains await—all we have to do is listen. So take a deep breath and be filled with the peace that only nature can provide, for here lies an adventure unlike any other.

In conclusion, these top 10 descriptive paragraphs about mountains serve as perfect examples of the power of evocative language. Each passage offers a unique perspective on the majesty and beauty of mountains, highlighting their grandeur, tranquility, and the awe they inspire.

The various descriptions illustrate how the same subject can be depicted in numerous ways, depending on the author’s choice of words and imagery.

These passages serve not only as a tool for teaching descriptive writing but also as an invitation for students to explore their own experiences and emotions, encouraging them to convey their thoughts and feelings with similar depth and vividness. By studying these examples, students can learn to appreciate the richness of descriptive language and the endless possibilities it offers for expressing their perceptions and experiences.

Furthermore, these passages remind us that nature, particularly the magnificence of mountains, provides an abundant source of inspiration for writers. By learning to observe and describe the natural world around them, students can cultivate their observational skills, expand their vocabulary, and develop their ability to create compelling, immersive descriptions.

In essence, these masterfully crafted passages about mountains are more than just examples of descriptive writing; they are a testament to the beauty of language and its power to bring the world to life in the reader’s mind.

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About The Author

I'm Dan Higgins, one of the faces behind The Teaching Couple. With 15 years in the education sector and a decade as a teacher, I've witnessed the highs and lows of school life. Over the years, my passion for supporting fellow teachers and making school more bearable has grown. The Teaching Couple is my platform to share strategies, tips, and insights from my journey. Together, we can shape a better school experience for all.

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Descriptive Writing A-Level Example: The Mountain

This is a piece completed recently by one of my students for the Cambridge (CIE) A-Level English exam (Paper 2: Writing). It is suitable for anyone studying creative writing at a higher level — GCSE (10th Grade) and above, particularly on the following exam boards: AQA, CIE, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC / Eduqas, CCEA.

The piece attained a B grade, but it has great potential and with a bit of work could have achieved an A. I asked the student to write feedback below to give a sense of the grade, as well as suggested improvements for how to attain a higher level next time. You’ll see a breakdown of his writing process and thoughts behind how he uses language.

Thanks for reading! If you find this page useful, you can take a look at our full Basic Descriptive Writing course ; Advanced Descriptive Writing course , and other English Language and Literature courses

The Question:

Write a descriptive piece called The Mountain. In your writing, create a sense of atmosphere, and focus on colors and sounds to help your reader imagine the scene.

The Answer: (Descriptive Writing A-Level Example)

The mountain.

It had been a long hard trek across the sludgy path, my footfalls producing rhythmic squelches. A warm pitiful breath escaped my mouth and struggled against the unrelenting breeze. My eyes wept from the wind, without sadness, the tears quickly drying but no less pained. I had managed to stray unwittingly from the path. My mind blank, I had chanced upon a vast expanse of open land. Vaguely, I recalled how I had got there, how I awoke in perspiration merely hours earlier, my T-shirt soaked through. If I had wrung it, I’m sure water would have trickled out, so sodden it was.

When I eventually peeled myself off the bed, it was then the idea had taken root, to venture out for a spirited walk. Grabbing my staff and closing the door after me, I walked on mechanically, permitting the crisp air to enter my lungs and liven my senses. For a long time, I gazed listlessly at my traipsing feet, neglecting to survey the path ahead. Soon, when I glanced up, I had drunk in the formidable sight of a tall mountain stood gargantuan in the distance.

The sky, slate grey and heavy, bore the promise of rain. A knot of cloud hung low and obscured the mountain’s peak. It should have unnerved me, but it didn’t. I was Ill-dressed and ill-prepared, yet a dogged stubbornness coursed through my every fibre. I firmly decided I would task myself to climb it. It was as though I forged onward like a weary soldier, going into battle for the very first time.

As I neared the foot of the mountain, such was its mass I could no longer see sky. Pausing at the base of it, I noticed that the wind had abated somewhat, and I felt a brief flash of renewed confidence. Glancing up its steep face my eyes scanned the wild, rocky terrain, peppered with tufts of grass and high reeds.

No discernible path appeared to etch through it, which led me to believe that nobody of sound mind would be foolish enough to scale it. Nobody as foolish as me at least. Warding off the temptation to turn back, I placed my trusty staff before me and carefully distributed my weight across the unstable ground. With no visible path to speak of I lunged forward and begun to climb, praising each successfully placed step as I slowly advanced. Reaching roughly a meter high, I felt the first cool drop of rain blotch my forehead. It caused me to glance up instantly at the sky with trepidation, but before I would be greeted by an onslaught of raindrops, I decided to forge on undeterred.

A violent rush of wind suddenly rose beneath me, causing the hood of my coat to blow clean over my head. Maybe it was a sign, I thought. Nature’s way of telling me that I should prepare for the inevitable drenching. But I did my best to not entertain such thoughts. Instead, my mind cast back to the days of my youth. I recollected the numerous occasions I had ventured into the woods with my older brother. Together we would seek out the tallest climbable tree. He would goad and pressure me to reach the furthest branch no matter the risk of danger. His voice  was always close behind, providing a safety net in case I fell. I never did, but where was his voice now?

When the rain came, it had been roughly an hour since I last looked down. The terrain had gotten steeper, so much so that my staff was rendered useless and left me all but hugging onto the slope for dear life. There were times when I froze, clutching myself to the earth, breathing in mud and stone, feeling as though I had tasted time itself. The rain came down in sheets, muddying the very soil my hands struggled to claw into as I ascended. Why had I bothered? I asked myself. Don’t worry just keep going, keep climbing. I imagined my brother’s voice not that far behind.

Student’s Feedback:

There are two examples in this passage where the language draws visual depictions. Firstly, in describing the colour of the sky as ‘slate-grey’, likening it to a shade taken from a type of stone, successfully transmits the image of a dark sky into the reader’s mind. Furthermore, the adjective ‘slate’ has connotations of hardness and coldness, create an intense atmosphere and a sense of difficulty for the protagonist. The use of compound adjectives through the hyphen also enhances the intensity of the visual image.

The second refers to the protagonist’s determination. He ‘forged onward like a weary soldier, going into battle for the very first time.’ This conjures a feeling of vulnerability for the reader. It presents the idea that the protagonist is venturing into the unknown, with unforeseen dangers ahead, creating palpable suspense.

Voice/Tone:

An underlying sense of foreboding runs consistently throughout the passage. There is a distinct atmosphere enveloping the language that is earthy and rich. Much of this is derived from the detailed scene description. This places the reader directly into the mood and atmosphere of the text. This is portrayed in the depiction of physical hardship, endured by the protagonist. For example, ‘My eyes wept from the wind, without sadness, the tears quickly drying but no less pained.’ The line also contains a subtle hint of irony, the association between tears being linked to sadness. However, in this case it is the harshness of nature that is bringing about the shedding of tears.

Another example of ‘mood’ and ‘feel’ evident in the text can be found in the following line: ‘There were times when I froze, clutching myself to the earth, breathing in mud and stone, feeling as though I had tasted time itself.’ While ‘mud’ and ‘stone’ represent nature, they are also symbolically linked to the ancient age of the mountain and present the idea ‘tasting time’ as though it were a tangible thing. These linguistic techniques of tying nature to feeling, exist to immerse the reader within the voice and tone of the text.

The continuous verbs ‘clutching’ and ‘breathing’ … continuous motion / enduring difficulty / dynamic and physical enhance the sense of struggle / highlight the fragility of man in comparison to all-powerful nature.

Perspective/Structure:

The narrative uses first-person through the featured protagonist and unfolds in past-tense. It describes events in a continuous stream of action. However, there are two moments where the action shifts to a series of flashbacks. In the first one, we learn of the protagonist awaking from his bed: ‘I awoke in perspiration merely hours earlier, my T-shirt soaked through,’. In the second, he revisits thoughts of childhood: ‘I recollected the numerous occasions I had ventured into the woods with my older brother.’ Despite these two time-shifts, the throughline of the story commences from the moment the protagonist witnesses the mountain upon his travels, along the path, to lastly attempting to scale it, finding himself stuck upon its steep face.

Features to include for my next creative piece:

• Multiple characters
• A variation of sentences, including one word.
• A specific moment of conflict
• Range of paragraph lengths
• Range of punctuation > ! ? : ; ‘ “” ‘ () …

Teacher Feedback:

GRADE: 18/25

72 % > B grade

Mark scheme used .

• Effective expression, with a range of language, including some complex structures and less common lexis
• A few minor errors which do not impede communication
• Logical organisation of text; developed ideas in an effective manner
• Good achievement of text; content is relevant

Overall, I believed the last 2 sentences could have been more refined, more poignant, and expressive. The story at this point ends rather abruptly in comparison to the rest. This demonstrates better fluency and reads more elegantly.

However, the earlier paragraphs clearly demonstrate strong use of language. This is visually expressive, symbolic/poetic, and carries a distinct tone. There is much intrigue and suspense to be enjoyed, which in turn engages the reader.

Read more descriptive writing tips here: https://scrbblyblog.com/2022/10/26/spooky-atmosphere-writing/

Thanks for reading! If you find this page useful, you can take a look at our full Basic Descriptive Writing course ; Advanced Descriptive Writing course , and other English Language and Literature courses .

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How to Describe Mountains in Writing (21 Tips & Examples)

Describing mountains in writing, when done correctly, can transport your reader to the rocky inclines, pristine snowcaps, or the craggy ridges of these towering natural wonders.

Here is how to describe mountains in writing:

Describe mountains in writing by focusing on aspects like size, shape, color, textures, and climate. Mention unique geological features, wildlife, vegetation, and the impact of seasons. Capture the mood, aesthetics, and sensory details. Include the cultural, historical, and symbolic significance.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to describe mountains in writing.

21 Elements to Describe Mountains in Writing

Table of Contents

Let’s kick things off with a straightforward bulleted list of the different elements of a mountain that you can describe in writing:

• Geological features
• Light and shadow
• Seasonal changes
• Mood and atmosphere
• Cultural or historical significance
• Time of day
• Human interaction or activity
• Emotional response
• Flora and fauna
• Weather conditions
• Personal perception or symbolism

And now, for the deep dive. Buckle up, it’s going to be a thrilling hike through the world of words and wonder.

1. Size: Making Mountains Move

Mountains are, in essence, colossal.

The sheer magnitude of their size is what makes them impressive and imposing. But in writing, it’s not enough to simply state that a mountain is “big.”

You must convey the overwhelming scale of it.

Compare the mountain to other objects or even creatures with which your reader is familiar.

Maybe it’s as vast as an ancient city or as tall as a skyscraper. Use metaphors and similes to give a sense of scale.

For example:

The mountain loomed in the distance, a behemoth of rock and earth, dwarfing the sea of trees that surrounded its base. It was a Titan, its peak challenging the sky itself.

2. Shape: Peaks and Valleys

Shape is another critical aspect when describing mountains.

Are the peaks sharp and jagged like dragon’s teeth, or are they rounded and soft, like the humps of a sleeping giant?

The shape of a mountain can evoke emotions, set the tone, and create a mental image for your reader.

The shape also gives a hint to the geological history of the mountain.

Pointy peaks suggest a younger mountain range, while rounded tops indicate erosion over many millennia.

The mountain range was a succession of jagged peaks, as if the earth had sprouted the spiny backbone of a monstrous, petrified beast. Each tip pierced the horizon, creating a chaotic symphony of stone and sky.

3. Color: Painting with Nature’s Palette

The color of a mountain can vary drastically.

It can be as white as freshly fallen snow, as gray as a stormy sky, as green as a lush forest, or even as red as rust.

Using color can add depth to your description, making the mountain come alive in the reader’s mind.

Remember, the color can change depending on the time of day, the season, the weather, and the perspective of the observer.

Play with these elements to make your mountain description dynamic.

At dawn, the mountain was a silhouette, shrouded in the delicate hues of the waking sky. But as the sun rose higher, it bathed the rocky slopes in a golden radiance, revealing a tapestry of earthy reds and rusty oranges, a testament to the iron-rich soil from which it was born.

4. Climate: A Tale of Ice and Fire

The climate of a mountain can drastically affect the atmosphere of your narrative.

Is the mountain covered in a blanket of snow, emanating a frosty chill? Or does it bask under a scorching sun, its rocky surface hot to the touch?

The climate can alter the mood of your scene, making it welcoming or inhospitable.

Don’t forget about the elevation effect – the change in climate as one ascends the mountain.

The base might be warm and lush, while the peak could be harsh and icy, offering a dramatic contrast in the same landscape.

The mountain’s base was a paradise of spring blossoms and chirping birds, the air heavy with the scent of life. But as one ascended, this Eden gradually faded into a stark landscape, where biting winds howled through skeletal trees and the land was perpetually cloaked in ice and snow.

5. Wildlife: Mountain Dwellers

Mountains host a diverse array of flora and fauna that have adapted to survive in the harsh conditions.

Describing the wildlife can add vibrancy to your mountain description, making it seem alive and teeming with activity.

From the mountain goats that nimbly navigate treacherous inclines, to the eagles that soar above the highest peaks, wildlife can bring your mountain to life.

Consider also the flora that carpets the mountain sides.

The lower slopes may host forests of tall pines or colorful wildflowers.

While the upper reaches may be adorned with mosses and lichens, clinging to the harsh, rocky environment.

The mountain was a bustling city of wildlife. Eagles soared high above its craggy peaks, their sharp eyes surveying the domain below. Goats, sure-footed and bold, scampered up the steep slopes, nibbling at the tough, windswept grasses that somehow found a foothold in the rocky soil. Lower down, a riot of wildflowers carpeted the mountain’s skirts, painting a picture of resilient beauty.

6. Geological Features: The Bones of the Mountain

Geological features like cliffs, caves, waterfalls, and rivers can make your mountain more interesting and realistic.

They can also offer opportunities for action and adventure.

Is there a treacherous cliff that needs to be scaled, a dark cave that hides a secret, or a roaring waterfall that cascades down the mountain’s side?

Also consider the mountain’s geology.

Is it an ancient, eroded relic of the past, or a young, active volcano, threatening to erupt at any moment?

The geology can provide backstory and symbolism for your narrative.

The mountain was a maze of hidden cliffs and hollow caves, a geological wonder carved by eons of wind and rain. A river, born from the melting snow at its peak, traced a silver line across its face, cascading down in a roaring waterfall that echoed through the valleys. Here was a mountain that wore its history proudly, a testament to the relentless forces of nature.

7. Sounds: Echoes of the Mountain

The sounds associated with mountains can create an immersive atmosphere in your writing.

The whispering wind that rushes through the valleys, the crunch of gravel underfoot, or the distant roar of a waterfall.

These can all add a sense of realism and depth to your description.

Even the absence of sound — the profound silence of an isolated mountain peak — can be powerful.

Sounds, or their absence, can convey the mood and ambiance of the mountain environment.

The mountain was never truly silent. It hummed with the sounds of life and movement – the rustle of wind-blown grass, the distant cries of hunting hawks, and the occasional low rumble as a portion of a glacier broke off and thundered down a hidden ravine. It was a symphony of nature, punctuated by moments of profound silence that spoke volumes.

8. Light and Shadow: The Mountain’s Chiaroscuro

Light and shadow play a significant role in describing mountains.

As the sun moves across the sky, it casts an ever-changing light show on the mountainside.

Morning light may paint the peaks with a soft glow, while sunset might set the mountain ablaze with fiery hues.

Play with the contrast between light and shadow to add depth and dynamism to your description.

Remember, it’s not just the light that shapes the mountain, but also the shadow.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the mountain transformed into a canvas of light and shadow. The peaks glowed with the last embers of daylight, while the valleys plunged into an abyss of shadow. The transition was mesmerizing, a daily performance of nature’s own chiaroscuro.

9. Texture: Rough and Smooth

Describing the texture of a mountain can help your reader to “feel” the mountain, making your description more tactile and immersive.

Is the mountain’s surface rough and jagged, or smooth and weather-worn?

The texture can convey information about the mountain’s age, the geology, and the environmental conditions.

Remember that texture can also refer to the vegetation and wildlife that inhabit the mountain.

The prickly scrub, the velvet moss, or the sleek fur of a mountain goat can all contribute to the texture of your description.

The mountain was a sculpture of textures, a tactile paradise for anyone brave enough to traverse it. Its slopes were a patchwork of rough, jagged rock and smooth, eroded stones, each telling a story of elemental forces at work. Here and there, clumps of prickly shrubs clung to the terrain, their stubborn resilience adding another layer to the mountain’s rich tapestry.

10. Aesthetics: Beauty in the Beast

Aesthetics in mountain description are about capturing the mountain’s beauty.

This goes beyond simple visuals, involving an emotional response to the mountain’s grandeur.

In describing the aesthetics, consider elements that provoke wonder, awe, or even fear in the observer.

Keep in mind that beauty can be found in the overall form of the mountain, but also in small details – the glint of sunlight on a snow-capped peak, the intricate pattern of ice crystals, or the vibrant burst of alpine flowers on a lush slope.

The mountain held a rugged beauty, an indomitable spirit etched in every crag and cliff. It was a masterpiece of nature’s design, mesmerizing in its majesty. From the shimmering curtain of snowfall at its peak to the delicate dance of butterflies in the meadows at its feet, the mountain commanded a silent reverence from all who beheld it.

11. Smell: The Mountain’s Perfume

Smell is often overlooked in descriptions, but it can add an immersive quality to your writing.

The scent of fresh pine, the crisp mountain air, the musky smell of wet earth — these can add a new dimension to your mountain description.

Also consider the changing scents with the seasons.

The freshness of spring flowers, the dry aroma of summer heat, the spicy smell of autumn leaves, or the clean, cold scent of winter snow can all paint a vivid, sensory picture of the mountain.

The mountain air was a heady blend of scents – the sharp tang of pine, the earthy musk of damp soil, and the clean, invigorating freshness that could only be found at such high altitudes. In the spring, a hint of floral sweetness would join this symphony of smells, as the slopes bloomed with a riot of wildflowers, each adding their own unique note to the mountain’s olfactory opus.

12. Vegetation: The Mountain’s Green Mantle

The type and distribution of vegetation on a mountain can reveal a lot about its altitude, climate, and soil conditions.

Lush forests at the base, scrublands in the middle, and sparse grasslands or bare rock at the summit – these changes in vegetation can add depth and realism to your mountain description.

Remember, vegetation is also a key component of the mountain ecosystem.

Describing the flora and their interactions with the local fauna can make your mountain come alive.

The mountain was a terraced garden of natural splendor. At its base, a thick cloak of pine and oak enveloped the slopes, their leaves whispering secrets to the wind. As one ascended, these gave way to a scrubland of hardy bushes, their roots clinging stubbornly to the rocky soil. And at the summit, where the air thinned and temperatures dropped, only the most resilient of grasses dared to grow, painting the crags with streaks of green.

13. Seasonal Changes: The Mountain’s Many Faces

Mountains are subject to the whims of the seasons, changing their appearance as the year cycles.

This dynamic quality can add life and movement to your mountain descriptions.

Spring may bring blooms of wildflowers, summer might unveil a rocky face, autumn could paint the slopes in fiery hues, and winter may drape the mountain in a shroud of snow.

Seasons also affect the behavior of the local fauna and flora, the climate, and human activity around the mountain.

The mountain was a chameleon, altering its attire with the passing of the seasons. In spring, it wore a verdant cloak of blossoms and fresh leaves. Come summer, it bared its rocky heart to the blazing sun. Autumn adorned it with a riot of oranges and reds, a firework display of nature. And then winter would arrive, transforming the mountain into a serene wonderland of ice and snow.

14. Mood and Atmosphere: Mountain’s Whisper

The mood and atmosphere of a mountain can change drastically based on the weather, the time of day, and the season.

A mountain can be serene and welcoming, shrouded in peaceful dawn light, or it can be menacing and mysterious under a stormy sky.

Using descriptive language and sensory details, you can weave an atmosphere that evokes specific emotions and sets the tone for your narrative.

The mountain was an eerie sentinel under the ghostly glow of the moon. Shadows stretched like long, dark fingers across the rocky terrain, and an icy wind whistled through the narrow crevices, a chilling hymn to the night. This was no longer the benevolent giant bathed in daylight, but a foreboding monument of mystery and dread.

15. Cultural or Historical Significance: The Mountain’s Tale

If your mountain has cultural or historical significance, this can add depth and interest to your description.

Perhaps it’s considered sacred by a local tribe, or it’s the site of a historic event, or maybe it’s associated with local legends and myths.

Incorporating these elements can not only enrich your description but can also provide a backdrop for your narrative.

The mountain held more than just natural wonders. It was steeped in history and folklore, its rocky face witness to countless tales. To the local tribe, it was a sacred entity, the home of ancient gods. And etched on its southern cliff was the shadowy outline of a fortress, a silent testament to a forgotten battle that had once stained these serene slopes with blood.

16. Perspective and Scale: The Mountain Through Different Eyes

The scale of a mountain can be challenging to convey effectively in writing.

One way to do this is by using comparisons or perspectives.

For instance, you could compare the mountain’s height to a skyscraper or describe how it towers over surrounding landscape features.

Also, consider the perspective of your observer.

A mountain climber, a bird, a child, or a seasoned explorer will all perceive and describe the mountain differently, providing various angles for your description.

To a child, the mountain was a giant, its summit hidden in the clouds like a castle in a fairy tale. To an ant, it was an insurmountable world, each grain of sand a boulder, each blade of grass a towering tree. And to an eagle, it was home – a jagged landscape that reached up to touch the sky, where the wind was a playful companion and the peaks were perches from which to survey their domain.

17. Weather and Climate: The Mountain’s Mood Swings

The weather and climate can dramatically influence a mountain’s character.

A mountain can be a tranquil vision beneath a clear blue sky, a hazy silhouette in a summer’s heat, or a threatening monolith under a stormy onslaught.

Moreover, sudden changes in weather are common in mountainous regions, which can add an element of unpredictability and drama to your narrative.

The mountain was a capricious entity, its mood mirrored by the ever-changing weather. On bright days, it would bask in the sun, its snow-capped peak gleaming against the azure sky. But with the arrival of a storm, it transformed into a dark fortress, its visage obscured by veils of rain and wreathed in bolts of lightning.

18. The Human Element: Life Against the Backdrop of the Mountain

Describing activities related to the mountain can make your description more dynamic and relatable.

This could include:

• Mountain climbers navigating precarious paths
• Herders tending to their flocks on the mountain slopes
• Monks living in seclusion in a mountain monastery

The mountain’s relationship with the human world — whether it’s a source of awe and inspiration, a challenge to be conquered, or a vital resource — can add depth and drama to your narrative.

The mountain was a stage for human endeavor. A thin, winding trail scarred its surface, a testament to the brave souls who dared to scale its heights. Lower down, smoke curled up from a solitary monastery, the chants of the monks adding a rhythmic undertone to the mountain’s wild symphony. It was not just a monument of nature, but a tableau of human resilience and aspiration.

19. Wildlife: The Mountain’s Inhabitants

Describing the wildlife that call the mountain their home can make your depiction feel more vibrant and dynamic.

From birds soaring around the peak, to marmots darting among the rocks, to the rare sightings of elusive mountain cats, the presence of fauna adds life and movement to your description.

Also, consider the specific behaviors and adaptations of these animals to the mountainous environment.

These details can contribute to the sense of authenticity and depth in your writing.

The mountain was teeming with life. Eagles circled the summit, their cries echoing off the craggy cliffs. Among the rocks, marmots scampered, their whistles a familiar soundtrack to the high-altitude serenity. Even the elusive snow leopard made its presence known with the occasional paw print in the snow, a ghostly signature of the mountain’s most enigmatic resident.

20. Geological Features: The Mountain’s Facial Features

The mountain’s geological features — such as cliffs, glaciers, waterfalls, caves, and ravines — are like its facial features, giving it a unique character and visual interest.

Describing these features can help your readers visualize the mountain more clearly.

It can also provide a setting for the action in your narrative.

These features are often the result of fascinating geological processes, and mentioning these processes can add an educational aspect to your writing.

The mountain was a showcase of geological wonders. Its northern face was a dramatic cliff, a vertical drop that plunged straight into a turquoise lake. Halfway up the eastern slope, a gleaming glacier clung stubbornly, its slow march carving deep grooves into the rock. And hidden away in the southern range was a narrow ravine, its rocky walls sheltering a tumultuous waterfall that roared with unabated ferocity.

21. Symbolism: The Mountain’s Deeper Meaning

Finally, consider using the mountain as a symbol in your narrative.

Mountains have been symbols of challenges, obstacles, inspiration, spiritual journey, and more.

Describing the mountain in a way that underscores its symbolic significance can add a layer of depth and meaning to your narrative.

The symbolism should resonate with your story’s themes and your characters’ experiences and perspectives.

The mountain stood like a colossal challenge, its peak hidden among the clouds, its slopes steep and unforgiving. To Jake, it was more than just a massive pile of rock and ice. It was a symbol of his struggle, his dreams, and the inner demons he had to conquer. Each step he took towards the summit was a step towards conquering his fears, each breath a testament to his determination.

Words to Describe Mountains (30 Words)

Here are words you can use as you develop skills for how to describe mountains in writing:

• Snow-capped
• Impenetrable
• Picturesque
• Granite-faced

Phrases to Describe Mountains (30 Phrases)

Now let’s look at phrases you can use when learning how to describe mountains in writing:

• Towering above the clouds
• Shrouded in morning mist
• Capped with gleaming snow
• Echoing with the calls of eagles
• Jagged peaks against the skyline
• Blanketed with lush greenery
• Dancing in the sunset’s glow
• Robed in autumn hues
• Enveloped in winter’s icy grasp
• A sentinel standing guard
• Baring their rocky heart
• Home to countless wildlife
• A testament to nature’s power
• Resilient against the elements
• Scarred by deep ravines
• An oasis in the sky
• Swallowed by a sea of fog
• Veins of waterfalls cascading down
• Wreathed in lightning
• Casting long shadows at dusk
• Cloaked in serene silence
• Whispering secrets on the wind
• A playground for the adventurous
• Bathed in golden sunlight
• Smiling under a rainbow’s arch
• A fortress against the storm
• Echoing the mountain’s melody
• A symphony of colors
• Reflecting the moon’s glow
• A challenge daring to be conquered

How to Describe Hills in Writing

Describing hills in writing involves a similar approach to describing mountains but on a smaller scale.

Size and Shape

Hills are generally smaller and more rounded than mountains.

They might be described as rolling, undulating, gentle, or sloping. You could describe them as rising and falling like the waves of a verdant sea.

Color and Texture

Describe the color and texture of the hills.

They could be carpeted in emerald grass, adorned with a quilt of wildflowers, or be a dusty brown or golden yellow in different climates and seasons.

Surroundings

Include the surroundings in your description.

Hills could be dotted with grazing sheep, crisscrossed by babbling brooks, or speckled with the vibrant hues of autumn leaves.

Mood and Atmosphere

Mood and atmosphere can vary dramatically.

Hills can evoke feelings of tranquility, a sense of rolling calm, or, under a stormy sky, they might become dramatic and wild.

The hills spread out like a rolling green carpet, undulating under the caress of the wind. Here and there, groves of ancient oak trees interrupted the smooth pattern, their leaves whispering stories of old. Under the golden glow of the setting sun, the hills were transformed into a landscape of molten gold and long, dancing shadows.

Here is a simple video about how to describe mountains in writing:

Final Thoughts: How to Describe Mountains in Writing

Don’t forget to wrap your theme and plot into your mountain descriptions.

When you do, your descriptions come alive for the reader.

If you enjoyed this guide, you’ll probably love the other guides listed below. Check one or two out before you go!

Related Posts:

• How to Describe a City in Writing (100+ Best Examples)
• How to Describe the Wind in Writing (100 Words + Examples)
• 400+ Words to Describe a Flower Garden: Best Writers Guide
• How to Write a Dance Scene: 21 Best Tips + Examples

Best Descriptive Writing Sites   Describing the beauty of nature

Describing a mountain   34 comments.

Describing a mountain is made easy with this post. This extract comes from my new book and workbook on Amazon. It is the ultimate descriptive guide for students and teachers. Check it out by clicking this title: Writing with Stardust  or any of the book covers at the end of the post.

You can see the full chapter with the Level 4 and 5 story in PDF by clicking here: Describing Mountains

Thanks, as always, for all the nice comments. God bless for now. Liam.

                                                                      MOUNTAINS

                                                                          COLOUR

  LEVEL 1              LEVEL 2            LEVEL 3            LEVEL 4            LEVEL 5             OTHERS

1. The dove-white mountain soared into the sky .

2. The seashell-white mountain jutted into the sky .

3. The phantom-white mountain reared into the sky .

4. The lice-white mountains were sombre and towered over us .

5. The fang-white mountains were brooding and loomed over us .

                                                   SOUND

1. I heard a clapping sound and a huge wall of snow crashed down .

2. Rumbling and roaring, a wave of white surged down the mountain side.

3. A deep, booming noise erupted and the flank of the mountain became a chute of white .

4. We heard a sinister, growling sound and a cascade of white thundered down the mountain.

5. A bellowing sound rent the air and a tsunami of snow sluiced down the flank of the mountain.

                                                    SHAPE

1. The wrinkled mountains were cocoon quiet .

2. The craggy mountains were Zion quiet .

3. The nirvana quiet mountains had jagged peaks.

4. The knobbly face of the mountain was grizzled and sacristy quiet .

5. We gazed up at the rugose and rough-hewn mountains with a sense of awe. They were mysterious and catacomb quiet .

                                                  ACTION

1. A ring of snow covered the sky-punching mountain.

2. A bracelet of snow topped the sky-spearing mountain.

3. A brooch of snow draped the heaven-kissing mountain.

4. The snow-hooded mountains were encased in a necklace of white .

5. The snow-festooned mountain peaks were embalmed with tiaras of powdery snow .

PATHETIC FALLACY   

1. The mist grabbed at the ankle of the mountain.

2. The sly mist snatched at the leg of the mountain.

3. The crafty mist clutched at the elbow of the mountain as it passed.

4. The cunning mist fumbled at the mountain’s neck with its filmy tentacles.

5. The insidious mist ensnared the crown of the mountain.

                    LEVEL 1: BASIC SENTENCES

1. The mountains were bone-white .

2. A wall of snow came crashing down.

3. The mountains were crinkled at the top.

4. They were sky-piercing .

5. The foot of one mountain was covered in mist.

LEVEL 2: A BASIC PARAGRAPH

The mountains were vampire-white . A wave of white snow went rumbling down the sides. They were all crumpled at the base. They were sky-stabbing at the top. The legs of the mountains were very wide. The peaks of the mountains were like harpoon tips . They were shrouded in ghost-grey mist . The air was chilling and numbing . We could smell a pot roast being cooked. We tasted some and it was stellar .

                       LEVEL 3: CREATIVE PARAGRAPHS

The serrated mountains loomed in the distance. We made our way towards them as we had to make base camp by nightfall. They were flour-white and brooded over the land. Just as we approached, a chute of snow detached itself and went trundling down one of the mountains. It slid over the knotted edge and then went crashing into the chasm below. The silence that followed was spine chilling. It froze our marrow to think that we would be climbing in those conditions tomorrow.

The heaven-touching apex of the mountain was drenched in brilliant light. Spikes of thin light impaled the snow in a bristling, moving line. We assumed that the heat had displaced the snow from the hip of the time chiselled mountain. All across our line of sight, the tips of the mountain range stuck up like a row of thorns. Swaddled around them were necklaces of powdery snow . The air became arctic cold as we came closer to base camp. The unmistakable whiff of chargrilled lamb wafted to our noses. Dinner that night was cosmic .

For much more of the above, please check out my book Writing with Stardust  or any of the book covers underneath.

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Posted December 12, 2012 by liamo in Uncategorized

Tagged with best descriptive sites for teachers , Describing a mountain , describing mountains , free essays on mountains

34 responses to “ Describing A Mountain ”

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Can you tell us on how to describe an ancient palace…Pls

Hi Azwaar: I hope you are well. I haven’t even thought about describing a palace but I might just make it my next post as I see it as a challenge. It should be available next Wednesday or Thursday. I hope this suits. Cheers. Liam.

Hello, Liam. Never mind, the palace description is nothing to me now. I just want you to decribe a snow avalanche and a snow storm? Can you pls post it ? Thanks

Hi Azwaar: How are you? I hope you’re well. You might find what you’re looking for by typing in ‘Describing the arctic’ and my post will be the first one you see. It gives a list of useful words and phrases and a Level 1,3 and 5 post in a sentence/paragraph/essay format. It should do the trick. I hope it is what you are looking for and best of luck with your writing. Cheers for now. Liam.

Thank you soooo very much, Liam!!!

Hi Azwaar: You are very welcome and I’m glad it helped. Be well. Liam.

Hmmm….can I use a few words for my writing? I hope that it is not considered as plagiarism…

I just wanted to ask you that how do you describe a windy day

And a last question, how would you describe a night sky?

Hi Azwaar: I hope you are well. ‘Describing a windy day’ can be accessed by typing in ‘Describing a storm’ and my website should be on the first page of Google. Type on ‘Describing the stars’ and you will see my site on the first page of Google also. I hope this helps. As for using a few of my words in your writing, feel free. Thanks for the comments and be well. Liam.

Thanks this really helped on my school work.

Hi jayjay: I hope you are well. You’re very welcome and thanks for taking the time to comment. I wish you the best with your schoolwork. Take care for now. Liam.

how do describe music

Hi there: How are you? I’m afraid that you’ve asked me the one question I probably can’t answer! I never studied music so I hope you can find the answer somewhere on another site. Apologies and happy hunting with that! Cheers for interacting with my blog. ‘Bye for now. Liam.

Hi! Can u help me with my homework?? it about describing a forest fire. I only have a paragraph…so far. its really hard.

Hi Aysha: I hope you are well. I don’t really help people with their homework. However, if you’re badly stuck, use the same formula for every piece of description. FOREST FIRE:

COLOUR: rainbow-orange, dragon blood-red and molten-gold.

SOUND: crackling, spitting, creaking, spluttering and hissing.

ACTION: blazing, swept and jumped.

METAPHORS: the fires of hell, an inferno and an unholy bonfire.

PERSONAL REACTION: blood-curdling scream, skin-crawling and spine-chilling.

Then you can write another paragraph something like this:

The fire seemed to be a living thing as it swept towards me. It breathed flame in many colours: rainbow-orange, dragon blood-red and molten-gold. It was spine-chilling to see it jump from tree to tree, crackling the pine cones and hissing with anger. My skin crawled as it blazed into the sky like an unholy bonfire. Choking, I tried to outrun it , but the fires of hell seemed to be behind it. It spat and spluttered; trees creaked and collapsed and I knew I was doomed. I let out a blood-curdling scream. Just then, I saw a helicopter through the sooty smoke. Risking everything, I jumped from the cliff edge…..

I hope you find it useful or that it gives you other ideas. Take care for now. Liam.

hello, loamyliam how can you write and describe with so much passion and ease ? Do you have any tips for somebody who wants to be a future writer? This source was very useful by the way thanks.

Hi Jack: I hope you are well. Thank you for your kind comment. I do have some small tips on writing.

Number one is being able to deal with failure and rejection as you start out on your career. Stephen King said he had a nail in the wall full of rejection slips. When the nail was too small to hold them, he put a spike in the wall instead and kept writing.

Number two is to keep your ass in your chair until the job is done. Set yourself writing goals and don’t be happy until they are completed. Writing is hard work. Don’t fool yourself by thinking otherwise.

Number three is this: Good writers borrow. Great writers steal. Gravitate towards the most interesting people and copy their conversations into a notebook: copy their jokes, their mannerisms and their physical actions. You now have the central character for a novel!

Hope it goes well for you, Jack. ‘Bye for now. Liam.

good best for my writing

Hello, I just wanted to say that I love what you are writing and I hope you keep up the great work. By the way I have two question… First, are you an actual author or just a blogger? Second, do you have any books other than the ones mentioned above?

Hi there: Thanks for leaving a comment. I suppose that I’m an author first and a blogger a distant second. I’m self-published so I can put up any information from my books that I want. I’m working on a fantasy novel at the moment and hope to have it finished by September. Hope that answers the questions to your satisfaction. Cheers for taking the time to comment. ‘Bye for now. Liam.

Hi Millie. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Cheers for now. Liam.

This website helped. Can I have more descriptive writing in a mountain? I’m struggling…. 😦

Right here is the perfect blog for anybody who wishes to find out about this topic. You know a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need toHaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a topic that’s been written about for decades. Excellent stuff, just great!🤗 🤑 2021-09-15 22h 59min

Hi Liam , your guidance on descriptive writing has been really helpful for my daughter, Mehar, appearing for her IGCSEs in Feb-March from India. Wish you well. Thanks a lot. Sunaina

Hi Sunaina: Apologies for the time lapse in getting back to you. Your kind comment is much appreciated and I hope you are well. Best of luck to Mehar and hope she did well in her exams. Cheers. Liam.

Than you this really helps with my school work

Hi Leo: I’m delighted it helped you in some way. Thanks for leaving the kind comment. ‘Bye for now.

this helped me for english sm. FANK U ❤

Hi Sarah: Glad it helped you. Thanks for leaving a kind comment. ‘Bye for now. Liam.

Thank you so much Liam, your post is very helpful. Please guide us, how can I teach my child more of this kind of creative writing. Thanks🙏🏽

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19,898 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,964 themes

mountains - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

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The mountains have kept safe the soul of this land for time unmeasured and tell of it in words unspoken.

In the sunlight the mountain peaks are a celebration of greys, from sweet blue-slate to silver-white.

The mountains rose as great rocky declarations of hope to a sky that ever-heard.

The mountains are dressed in evergreens right up to their crowns of silver-white.

The mountains stand sentry to the bluest of lake waters.

If the earth had a pulse it rose through the mountains, creating their bold silhouette. To my eye, their peaks are the green line of a doctor's graph. I saw those rocks at dawn, those slopes that give home to so much life, a foundation for trees and shrubs, grass and ferns. With blue above and below, in the sky and lake, ever lightening as the sun rose, I knew it would be a good day... I just knew.

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Adjectives for Mountains: Describing Words & Examples

When it comes to describing the majestic beauty of mountains, words often fall short. But with the right adjectives, we can capture the breathtaking allure of these natural wonders. In this article, I’ll be sharing a collection of adjectives that perfectly encapsulate the awe-inspiring qualities of mountains. From towering peaks to serene valleys, these words will help you paint a vivid picture of these magnificent landscapes.

Whether you’re a writer looking to add depth to your descriptions or simply an admirer of nature’s wonders, this article will provide you with a variety of adjectives to bring the beauty of mountains to life. So, let’s dive into the world of mountains and discover the perfect words to describe their awe-inspiring presence.

When it comes to describing mountains, there are numerous scenarios to consider. Each scenario presents a unique perspective and allows us to focus on specific aspects of these majestic natural wonders. Here are some different scenarios that can help you paint a vivid picture of mountains in your writing:

Table of Contents

How to Describe mountains? – Different Scenarios

1. describe the physical appearance.

To describe the physical appearance of mountains, focus on their shape, size, and structure. Here are a few examples:

2. Portraying the Colors and Textures:

Mountains showcase various colors and textures that add to their unique charm. Here are a few ways to describe them:

3. Conveying the Atmosphere and Weather:

The weather and atmosphere surrounding mountains play a significant role in shaping their character and appeal. Consider these examples:

4. Eliciting Emotions and Sensations:

Remember, when describing mountains, tap into your creativity and imagination. Use the power of language to transport your readers to these breathtaking landscapes and allow them to experience the wonders of nature through your words.

Let’s move on to the next section to explore more adjectives that can be used to describe mountains in different ways.

Describing Words for mountains in English

Adjectives for size and shape:, adjectives for color and texture:, adjectives for atmosphere and weather:, adjectives for mountains, positive adjectives for mountains.

When I think of mountains, many positive adjectives come to mind. Here are some words that perfectly capture the beauty and grandeur of these magnificent landscapes:

Negative Adjectives for Mountains

While mountains are often seen as majestic and awe-inspiring, there are also negative adjectives to describe them. These words may convey a sense of danger, harshness, or difficulty associated with mountainous terrains:

These adjectives remind us that mountains can pose challenges and can be unforgiving in their wild and rugged nature. However, they also add to the sense of adventure and excitement that exploring these natural wonders can bring.

As you teach easy words to kids, it’s important to introduce them to the diverse vocabulary associated with mountains. Using these descriptive adjectives, you can help them appreciate and understand the beauty and power of these magnificent landscapes.

Synonyms and Antonyms with Example Sentences

Synonyms for mountains.

Mountains are magnificent natural wonders, and there are several synonyms that capture their unique beauty and grandeur. Here are some synonyms for mountains along with example sentences:

Antonyms for mountains

While mountains symbolize beauty and grandeur, there are also antonyms that describe the absence or opposite characteristics. Here are some antonyms for mountains along with example sentences:

In this article, we have explored the various ways to describe mountains using adjectives. By providing a comprehensive list of synonyms and antonyms, we have expanded our vocabulary and gained a deeper understanding of the natural beauty and characteristics of mountains.

From the majestic peaks and summits to the sprawling ranges and hills, each adjective paints a vivid picture of the awe-inspiring landscapes that mountains offer. Conversely, the antonyms, such as valleys, plains, lowlands, plateaus, and beaches, remind us of the contrasting features that exist in the world around us.

So, whether you find yourself standing at the foot of a towering cliff or gazing out at a serene valley, take a moment to reflect on the power of words and how they can enhance our understanding and appreciation of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes.

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WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Mountains

November 15, 2008 by BECCA PUGLISI

Stone, crags, cliffs, shale, scree, granite, moss, treeline, clouds, mist, jagged, crooked, uneven, slope, face, ravines, waterfall, snow, snow melt, tracks, hawks, eagles, ravens, falcons, owls, mice, deer, foxes, bighorn sheep, rock slides, avalanche paths, scat, pine…

wind whistling along the slopes, animal howls, rustling leaves, frothing waterfalls, water trickling into snow melt, scree shifting underfoot, rockfalls, birds calling/hooting, animals pattering through the underbrush, branches snapping…

Pine needles, fresh/crisp air, clean water, earthy moss, rotting logs/trees, vegetation, an ozone-like tang of cold or wet rock, sunshine, wildflower blossoms

Wild plants (berry bushes, wild onions, tubers, nuts, seeds) tea made from edible leaves, bark, dandelions; captured animals or birds (gamy, strong flavors, tough meat), spring waters

Cold unyielding stone, sharp finger holds, dust, grit, spongy moss, prickling pine needles caught in the boot, slippery shale underfoot, gripping a rock face, wedging boots into toeholds, rope burns while climbing, wet sleeves from plunging hands into a freshwater…

Helpful hints:

–The words you choose can convey atmosphere and mood.

Example 1 : Wind sawed at my clothes and froze my sweat, battering at me on the rock face. I jammed a foot almost past feeling into a crack, praying it would hold me. Another few minutes and my fingers would be too numb to grip the rock, much less contain the strength to fight the bitter crosswinds. I had to find a rock ledge, an indented shelf–something, and quick…

–Similes and metaphors create strong imagery when used sparingly.

Example 1: (Simile) In the distance, jagged mountain peaks rose above the early morning cloud cover like headstones in a mist-clotted graveyard…

Think beyond what a character sees, and provide a sensory feast for readers

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

June 14, 2010 at 9:21 am

I know this is an old post. But, I’ve just checked it out. My manuscript has a setting in the hills, which is close enough to a mountain! Thanks, I’ve copied this for future reference.

November 17, 2008 at 6:43 pm

This post is amazing! Thank you so much. I have revisions to do and can definitely glean from what you’ve offered up here 🙂

November 17, 2008 at 9:44 am

I feel like getting out into the mountains after reading this — though admittedly, not when it’s frigidly cold! I like the smells best — there’s nothing like the smell of wet rock. I am always amazed when some people insist that rock has no smell.

November 16, 2008 at 11:36 am

Me too, Marian! I’m blessed to live about 45 minutes from the Rocky Mountains, and have spent much time in the Kananaskis/Banff/Jasper areas. Rainforests will be a fun one to do as well.

Kate, this is just a bit of language to choose from…what you do with it is up to you! Glad it helps. 🙂

November 15, 2008 at 7:04 pm

You’re making it very easy for us not to have to think much. Thank you – from a tired brain!

November 15, 2008 at 2:38 pm

Very evocative post. It made me want to go hiking, to hear the waterfalls and pick berries.

I’m really looking forward to your setting thesaurus entry on rainforests.

[…] Mountains […]

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10 Words to Describe Snowy Mountains

By Isobel Coughlan

If you plan on setting your novel in a cold place, adding snow to the environment can help create a chilling effect, especially if your book is a thriller. If you need some words to describe snowy mountains, scroll down to learn more.

1. Staggering

Something that is  breathtaking  or surprising.

“The  staggering  snowy mountains towered above the village, obscuring the sun in the distance.”

“He tried to focus on his journey, but the  staggering  mountains were topped with thick snow.”

How it Adds Description

The word “staggering” emphasizes the size of the mountains, allowing you to show the reader how large your snowy mountains are.  This term  can also show your character’s shock or awe at the sight of the scenery, therefore informing the reader that they’ve never seen a setting this large or snowy before.

2. Bleached

An  object  that’s a light or white color.

“The  bleached  mountains up ahead reflected the sunlight, blinding her eyes as she traveled towards them.”

“They couldn’t ignore the snow  bleached  mountains, and they chose to take shelter in a nearby cave to avoid the freezing temperatures.”

The word “bleached” reveals the light color of an object, and can be used to draw attention to the white snow on the mountains. This is a great word if you want to create a stark contrast between the rock and the snow, as “bleach” evokes a powerful image for most readers.

3. Alabaster

A white stone used for  sculptures  and ornaments. Often used as an adjective noun to describe objects with light/white colors.

“He noticed the  alabaster  mountains in the distance and wondered when the snowfall would cease.”

“It was the  alabaster  mountains that worried her the most, she’d never seen so much snow in one place.”

As a noun “alabaster” refers to a type of stone. However, it’s frequently used as an adjective to highlight the white color of an object. When used to describe mountains, “alabaster” conveys how perfectly white the snow is. This can help to set the scene for your reader, and is especially helpful when world building.

4. Unblemished

To  describe  an object with no faults or imperfections on its surface.

“The mountains were  unblemished  — the top layer of snow was as pristine as the day it fell.”

“Since the snowfall the mountains have remained  unblemished , not one soul has passed across the trail”.

If you want to show the reader how perfect the snow-capped mountains are, the word “unblemish” can help. This adjective implies that the snow hasn’t been ruined by footprints or melting, allowing your reader to gain a clear insight into how they look.

5. Inclement

Weather that’s extremely  cold  or stormy.

“The  inclement  mountain conditions had led to extra snowfall on the rugged peaks.”

“They couldn’t ignore the  inclement  mountains, as soon they would be traversing snow and ice to reach their sky high destination.”

The word “inclement” refers to weather conditions, and you can use this adjective to create a sense of foreboding about your snowy mountains. “Inclement” can emphasize the harsh snowy conditions and you can even use this term to create a sense of fear amongst your characters.

6. Alluring

Something  or someone that’s very beautiful or attractive.

“The  alluring  snow-capped mountains seemed to watch her as she passed through the valley.”

“As he navigated the wilderness, the  alluring  mountains became clearer and clearer in his vision.”

The word “alluring” is all about beauty, so it’s a fitting description for any snowy mountain range. Whether you’re trying to make the reader fall in love with the setting or want to portray a character’s affection for the earth, this adjective will evoke positive emotions.

7. Formidable

To  describe  something or someone that’s impressive and slightly scary.

“He couldn’t ignore the  formidable  snowy mountains, no matter how hard he tried.”

“The snow-topped mountains are  formidable  — a human hasn’t scaled them and never will.”

The word “formidable” is an adjective that can emphasize the large size of the mountains and the fear a character might experience while near them. “Formidable” can be used to show your narrator is frightened, and this can deepen a character’s complexity in any novel. It can even be used to add foreshadowing, especially if the snowy mountains are crucial to the plot.

8. Picturesque

A place that’s  beautiful  to look at.

“She awoke from the  picturesque  snowy mountains again, wondering why this dream repeated every night.”

“Only snow could leave mountains so  picturesque  and serene.”

“Picturesque” suggests that the snowy mountains are immensely beautiful to look at. In a novel, “picturesque” mountains can help to create a perfect world or to create a strong setting in the reader’s mind. It can also suggest a calm atmosphere, setting the stage for some positive character interactions.

To describe  winter  weather or cold features.

“The  wintry  mountains looked down over the snow-laden village like a protector.”

“Though it was summer in the valley, the snow-capped  wintry  mountains never melted nor thawed.”

The word “wintry” suggests that the mountains are experiencing winter weather or snow, building a clear image of their characteristics in your reader’s mind. Creating a picture of the season can drive the novel’s plot forward and it can also make the setting clearer. While wintry is synonymous with winter, it can be used in the context of summer to show a clear contrast between the snowy mountains and warm weather.

To describe the  harsh  conditions of a place.

“The snowy mountains were  bitter , they feared no adventurers would last the night in sub-zero conditions.”

“He looked up at the  bitter  mountains, by morning there would be another fresh layer of snow to navigate.”

“Bitter” can imply the harsh conditions in the snowy mountains to your reader. This can be especially helpful if your characters must journey through them, as “bitter” foreshadows the tough journey that lies ahead. This can create a feeling of suspense, making the reader eager to continue reading.

Inside the Writer's Mind

One writer's take on the craft of writing by Darius Jones

The Craft: How Writing a Novel Is Like Climbing a Mountain

[ This is part of a continuing series on the art of writing fiction .]

And now, back to the craft of writing fiction.

Did you ever think about how writing a novel (or any longer piece) is like climbing a mountain? I have.

I have long struggled with how much to plan out what I write. The whole old controversy between “Plotters” and “Pantsers”: those who have to “plot” out every scene and those who just jump in and go “by the seat of their pants.”

I quickly found out that I’m more of a Plotter. Especially, when it comes to shorter works. Short stories are so brief, so economical, that you don’t have time to figure out where you’re going through adding prose. You have to know where you’re going out of the gate. You can’t waste 1,000 words (or even 100) figuring that out. So, I started to plot, plot, plot.

I tried to “Pants” my way through a play. That didn’t work either so. So, it was plot, plot, plot.

Once, I got stuck in a novella. And my solution? Plot, plot, plot.

But in my longer works (like The Library of Lost Books ), I came to see the limitations of plotting. Yeah, it works to have that great idea and lit it rip in a short story. But when it comes to a long piece, if you stick ruthlessly to the “plotter” method, you story can lose, well, a lot of life. A lot of vibrancy. You’re basically letting logic dictate to your characters, your plot, everything. And that can leave you with a lot of words at the end of the day, but a piece without verve, without spontaneity, without a soul . And y’all, that’s a bad thing.

But I also found ditching the plot completely could send you off on wild, fruitless tangents. So, becoming a total “pantser” for novels wasn’t going to work for me.

So what to do?

What to do?

Indeed…what to do?

I gave it a lot of thought. Took some long walks. Tried this and that. And then the obvious solution struck me: A hybrid of plotter and pantser for writing novels.

So…let’s say writing a story is like climbing a hill. You go up in a few hours and you’re back down. But writing a novel…That’s like climbing a mountain. It’s an expedition. It’ll take several days and you don’t know what each day will bring. You have to combine ruthless preparation with optimal flexibility. And that’s tough to do.

But it works. To extend this metaphor, here are four ways writing a novel is like climbing a mountain.

You Start at the Base This is where the preparation comes in. You should have, for sure, your three fundamentals locked down: setting, character, plot .

You should know your setting down pat. If it’s historical, hit up the library and devour all you can about that time and place. Become a student of it. If it’s science fiction or fantasy, build out that world. What’s it called? What’s its history? Its magical system? Its economy? It factions? Its religions? Its politics? Its environment? Geology? I could go on…

Then, characters. Grasp who the main character is FIRST, find their motivation. What, above all, propels them to action? Greed? Power? Enlightenment? Pleasure? Sheer laziness? Then, get down who the antagonist(s) are and the other minor characters.

Finally, plot. You should have down, not necessarily the plot points, the things that happen, but what I call the plot dynamo : that thing which propels all action. This might be the protagonist’s desire to live/escape death. Or their desire to see the world changed,  reformed or redeemed.

Done? OK, ready for the next step? We’re almost ready to write.

You Know You End at the Top Before you start off. Look up. See that mountain peak? That’s where the story ends. The climax. That’s where you want to go. You can’t get their quickly or easily. But you can get there step by step, sentence by sentence.

Before you set off, it’s good to know at least two of those plot points: Where you start and where you end. How will you start your novel? And how will you end it? That is, at which point will the conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist become so violent that one will prevail and the other irrevocably fail?

Got it? The beginning? The intro of the character and conflict? And the end? The resolution?

OK… Almost there.

Don’t Plan the Whole Route Now, to climb up the mountain, to make it to the top, there will be many unknowns. Bad weather, horribly bad weather. Crevasses, sometimes hidden, up the face of the mountain. Perhaps injuries to you or losing your supplies. Despite all of these unforeseen things, you will have to forge ahead to the top.

Same with writing a novel. There will be scenes that don’t work, “sour” or weak dialogue. Even characters or entire scenes/chapters that won’t work.

So, don’t plot out every point. I like to put down the chapters when I plot a novel out with the basic things that will happen in those chapters. Then, I write them down on index cards so I can rearrange them as I like. Then, I put them into my word processing document where I can still keep rearranging them.

As I come to each chapter I usually do a more detailed plotting out of that chapter. Just like a mountaineer, I have a general route up a mountain mapped out, but I will change it the day of climbing (writing) in response to bad weather or changing conditions on the rock face itself.

I will do the same in writing and within these morphing chapters, I will crucially let the characters live and breathe. If one the page, a character surprises me by acting out or speaking out in a way I didn’t plan, I go with it. I sort of say: “OK, let’s see what you do here.” And I let that person lead me with their personality, their desires and personal flair. I think it’s more important to be true to your characters and where they want to drive the story than to follow in your mind some sterile, logical plan.

And that’s very, very important.

Plan your route bit by bit, writing-day-by-writing-day. That’s how you’ll get to the top.

Improvise. Improvise. Improvise. What if a sled goes down in a crevasse? Or if a pass is completely blocked by rockfall? Or if there’s a whiteout on the day you wanted to get to the top?

Well, you’ll have to improvise. To borrow a phrase, “If there is not a way, I will make one.”

If a piece of dialogue doesn’t work, delete it. If a chapter isn’t making sense and is coming across as tinny, get rid of it. Go back and restart with a different approach. If something is coming across as hopelessly dull, you can slog through, but get there quickly. And when you come to edit, if it doesn’t work, junk the whole thing! Don’t kill your darlings, but do kill your dunces.

A lot of writing is preparation, detail. But a lot it is heart and instinct, too. And improvisation. When, I’ve been really stuck, what I have turned to has been heart, soul and instinct. And I truly feel that’s what you’ve got to go with, when you feel the prose on the page isn’t working.

So, that’s about it for this month. I hope this gives you lots to think about. If you have any thoughts about novel planning and writing, please leave a comment below.

And, MOST OF ALL, realize this is what works for ME. I know a number of Pantsers who are totally capable of throwing away plotting entirely. I recall a comment that E.M. Forster made, that the only thing he needed to know before he sat down to write a novel was where it began and where it would end. Lucky bastard.

OK! See you next time! Until then, keep reading, keep writing!

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Discussions about the writing craft.

Advice/Examples on how to describe mountains/mountain ranges?

I'm trying to describe the landscape in a chapter I'm writing and in the far distance there's a mountain range encircling most of the valley. It's a brief description, only a few sentences so I don't stray from the story too much. Anyone have any advice or examples on describing mountains/mountain ranges that I could draw inspiration from? If anyone knows a source that helps you with describing landscapes, as I seemingly always have some sort of problem with it, it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

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Story Mountain Explained With Examples + Free Templates

Need help planning a story? A story mountain is a brilliant tool for helping new writers understand story structure and plotting.

Behind every great story is a mountain metaphor. You start off on the safe, steady ground. As you make your way up the mountain, you face many conflicts and obstacles. At the highest point, you stand proud knowing you faced the odds. Finally, you come back down, conflicts resolved, as you reach safety again at the bottom of the mountain.

You might also be interested in the snowflake method or the three-act structure for outlining story ideas.

In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the story mountain technique, along with free templates to get you started!

What is a Story Mountain?

The 3 part mountain, the 4 part mountain, the 5 part mountain, 6 parts of a story mountain, 7 part mountain, extended story mountain, how to teach the story mountain, free story mountain templates.

The story mountain is a technique for outlining story ideas . It’s especially useful for children and new writers, as it illustrates the key elements of stories visually. Just like a real mountain, a story mountain illustrates the ups and downs of a story. Its key elements include the beginning, build-up, problem, resolution and ending.

It starts off on the steady ground, as the story begins. As you go up the mountain, you face many challenges and obstacles building up to the big climax or conflict of the story. Then you come down the mountain, everything settles off. Finally, you end on the steady flat ground.

There are many variations of the story mountain technique. Some are very simple, while others are detailed and complex. The simplest template contains just three elements: Beginning, Middle and Ending. While the most complex mountain we’ve seen includes seven elements: Characters, Setting, Beginning, Build-up, Problem, Falling Action and Ending. And of course, you could even break these elements down even further to create an even more detailed outline for your novel or story idea.

In the next section, we’ll explain the different versions of the story mountain with examples.

In its simplest form, the story mountain just needs three elements: Beginning, Middle and Ending. Each element has been explained below:

• Beginning: What will happen at the start of the story? Where is it set? Who are the characters?
• Middle: What is the major event in this story? How does this event happen? What problem/s will the characters face? How are these problem/s created?
• Ending : How will the story end? What choices will the main character make? How will the problem/s be solved? Are there any lessons to be learnt? 

Below is an example of a completed template using the story of Little Red Riding Hood:

The story mountain can also be divided into 4 parts: Beginning, Middle, Falling Action and Ending:

• Beginning / Rising Action: How does the story begin? Introduce the characters and settings. How is the conflict or problem created?
• Middle / Climax: The main character/s must face the conflict. How will they resolve it?
• Falling Action: Explain what happens after the conflict.
• Ending: How does the story end? What lessons do the characters learn?

Example of Little Red Riding Hood using the 4 part template:

The most common type of story mountain template contains five elements: Beginning, Build-Up, Problem, Falling Action and Ending:

• Beginning: How does the story begin? Describe the setting and introduce the characters.
• Build-Up: This is also known as the rising actions. What events will happen before the major conflict takes place? 
• Problem: The problem or climax is where the major conflict actually happens.
• Falling Action: Also known as the resolution. Describe how the main conflict is resolved. What happens after the conflict? 

Example of the five-element mountain using Little Red Riding Hood:

The six main parts of the story mountain include Beginning, Unexpected Event, Build-Up, Problem, Falling Action, and Ending:

• Beginning: How does the story start? Introduce the main characters and describe the setting.
• Unexpected Event: Think about how the major conflict is created, and why? In other words, what event happens to cause the conflict?
• Build-Up: What events happen before the major conflict?
• Problem: This is where the major conflict happens. The main character/s must face the conflict.
• Falling Action: How is the conflict resolved? What happens after the conflict is resolved? 
• Ending: How does the story end?

Six-part example using the Little Red Riding Hood story:

Some story mountain templates have seven elements included: Characters, Setting, Beginning, Build-up, Problem, Falling Action and Ending.

• Characters: List and describe the main characters in the story.
• Setting: Describe the main setting of the story. Think about the time period, mood and even location of the story.
• Beginning: How does the story begin?
• Build-up: What events take place before the main conflict? 
• Problem: Describe the main conflict? How do the main character’s deal with this conflict?
• Falling Action: What events happen after the conflict is resolved?

The seven-element template example using the tale of Little Red Riding Hood:

The mountain template can be extended to outline complex story ideas with multiple conflicts. For example, for a story with two major conflicts, the mountain would go up, down, up again and then finally down. The key elements could be adapted to the following seven elements:

• Beginning: What happens at the start of your story?
• Build-Up: What events happen before the first major conflict?
• First Problem: How do the main character/s deal with the first conflict or problem?
• Falling Action: What events happen after the first conflict is resolved?
• Second Problem: The main character/s face another conflict. How do they deal with this second major conflict?
• Falling Action: What events happen after the second conflict is resolved?
• Ending: How does the story end? What lessons are learned?

Example of the extended technique using Little Red Riding Hood:

The story mountain is one of the earliest outlining techniques used in classrooms between KS1 to KS3 or grades 1 to middle school . Compared to other plot outline techniques, this technique is not only visually appealing but simple enough for early writers to understand. There is a number of ways to teach the story mountain in classrooms, such as:

• Complete a blank template based on the student’s favourite book.
• Have a whole-class discussion on how to complete the story mountain together for a popular story or movie.
• Working in small groups to complete a blank template for a popular movie or book.
• Using the student’s own story idea, use the template to plan this idea in more detail.
• Provide a list of scenes from a popular book or movie. Together as a class or in small groups, put the scenes in the correct place on a blank template.

When it comes to teaching the story mountain to students, we recommend you use a worksheet or template. Print one blank template for each student in your class. Along with the blank template, include a completed example that students can reference when completing their own blank template. 

Your next task as a teacher is to explain each element of the template, along with examples. First start with the beginning, explain this element and then give your students around 10 minutes to complete this section. Then move on to explaining the next element, and give your students another 10 minutes to complete that section. Keep going until all the sections are complete. 

As homework, you could give your students another blank template to complete for a book they recently read in class or even a movie they recently watched. Using their favourite book or movie as an example is a great way to engage reluctant writers into completing the task. It also helps them grasp the concepts of the story outlining process, as they’ll be able to visually see how their favourite book or movie is broken down. 

An extra tip here is to tell the students to write down a list of key scenes from the book or movie first. The students can then pick at least one scene for each element of the story mountain. And then finally they can plot these scenes on the mountain in the correct order. 

Now that you know how to use the story mountain template, it’s time to practice this technique yourself! You can download the different versions of the template below. Each template includes a completed example and a blank story mountain template:

• 3 Part Mountain Template
• 4 Part Mountain Template
• 5 Part Mountain Template
• 6 Part Mountain Template
• 7 Part Moutain Template
• Extended Story Mountain Template

Did you find this post on the story mountain technique useful? Let us know in the comments below.

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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pamedria Member

Help describing the cold mountains....

Discussion in ' Setting Development ' started by pamedria , Dec 11, 2016 .

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); By cold, I mean freezing snowy mountains where you can die. The coldest I've ever experienced on a mountain was just the top of Ben Nevis, which was pretty cold - but nowhere near what I need to explain, so I want to read something that does so on a grand scale. I need the surrounding views, feel of the climb, and the deathly temperature, so I cannot really write based on experience for this scene. Only my imagination, which I want to do alongside research. So I mean COLD, COLD. Like Mount Everest. Has anyone here experienced such a climb, or such coldness? A comment describing the experience in an artistic way is what I would love, or could anyone refer me to a scene in a book, poem or anything (preferably to find online) where someone describes such surroundings, feelings and sensation? So if you know any piece of creative writing that has such a scene, please comment the name (or link, c/p) so I can look it up. I just need more ideas and inspiration because soon I will be writing a difficult chapter which will end in an avalanche. Any help would be really appreciated.  

OJB A Mean Old Man Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); Here is an example of how I'd free write a cold mountain scene. Since you wanted COLD, I thought about frostbite and cold-induced asthma as I wrote this. Made of rigid rock and snow, the mountain spears the clouds above it. The cold wind comes down from the mountaintop and wraps around me; my lungs close shut and I gasp for air. Sweat and tears freeze, and my skin blackens. I hope they don't amputate my fingers and toes after this. If you want cold, research what happens to the human body when exposed to sub-zero temperatures. This will give you the ideas for the details you might want to add.  

BayView Huh. Interesting. Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); I've never been super-cold on a mountain, but I've gotten to the cold-enough-to-stop-shivering stage a couple times just in general Canadian pursuits when I wasn't properly dressed for the weather. I think the most interesting thing is how non-panicked I felt. It's apparently fairly common to find people killed by cold with their clothes pulled off, because in the later stages your nervous system goes totally out of wack and you start feeling warm and comfy. I've never gone that far but I've definitely had the "I'm just going to lie down in this snowbank for a wee nap" impulse when too cold. In terms of the extreme cold itself - it hurts to breathe when it's too cold out. You have to figure out a way to warm the air a little before it goes into your mouth (god forbid your nose, it'll be frozen in a second) so you can rig up scarves, etc, but then with every exhalation you leave moisture on the scarves and it eventually condenses and freezes. Wind makes a huge difference - if it's calm enough it can be quite pleasant even when the air is truly cold, but even a slight breeze makes things miserable. Any exposed skin feels tough and almost hard, even pre-frostbite. Hmmm... I'm not sure what else...  

Lifeline South. Supporter Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); I'll drop you a PM.  

antlad Banned

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); I think that guy that wrote Into Thin Air also wrote a book about hikers that froze to death. Try to find that. Writing about the extremes of temperatures is difficult. When you experience them yourself you are left with impressions, since there is not much to compare it to. You also have odd thoughts/fears that don't follow much logic; like worrying that you throat or lungs will freeze.  

Scot Senior Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); When it's really cold, like -30C and below, the air is very very dry. Any moisture in the air crystallises into microscopic needle-like crystals which glint prettily in the sun. I was taught not to breath in through my mouth as fillings contract (you can hear it happening); the nerves in your teeth die and you will end up with abscesses (don't ask me how I know ); and you will get cold burns in your airway. Breathing through your nose allows your sinuses to warm the air before it reaches your lungs. Exerting yourself results in two bad things happening to you. 1) Your respiration rate goes up, increasing the probability you'll breath through your mouth. 2) you sweat, destroying the insulating properties of your clothing. The motto is: when cold, go slow. If, like me, you have a moustache, you end up with a HUGE moustache made of condensed, frozen moisture from your exhaled breath. Gets messy when you go back indoors. The lowest temperatures seem to occur when the sky is clear and the air is still. When it's cloudy it's usually warmer. Windchill is the killer though, -15C in a blizzard is infinitely worse than -30C on a still day. Caught out in a blizzard? Dig a hole in a snowbank and get out of the wind, you might survive. Frostnip occurs when the capillaries in your extremities, like noses, ears, fingers and toes shut down. Painless. A vigorous rub and warming them up means no harm done, but then it hurts like f%&*! Frostbite comes next. That's when your extremities end up like those sausages lurking at the back of your freezer, frozen solid. You will need medical attention to figure out what can be saved and what needs to be cut off. Left alone the frozen flesh will thaw and probably turn gangrenous. Hypothermia is a pleasant way to die. You stop shivering, you stop caring, you stop looking out for yourself and others, you become a liability to your party and you are blissfully unaware of all this. You feel tired, and in your confused mental state you might just lie down for a wee nap, from which you will never wake up.  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); Thanks to all who replied so far. All were very helpful. @Scot sorry to hear you experienced such cold before! Never heard that about the teeth. Do you literally mean the fillings in the back of your mouth could be heard? If that is what you mean, does anyone know when people started to wear fillings? Medieval times is very much unlikely, even among royals, so I doubt I could use that example within the novel, but it would be great if I could. Perhaps if a characters had a chipped tooth, I would imagine it would then be so painful with the nerve endings... Or by die do you mean you no longer feel anything? Were there abscesses in the actual mouth during, or after the experience? Have you (or anyone else) experienced a snow storm brewing and starting?  

big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); https://www.theguardian.com/books/2003/mar/30/everest.features Ant Lad is referring to Jon Krakauer the above Death on the mountain by David Breashears also covers the expedition into thin air is about and includes so pretty descriptive stuff about being really really cold ETA it also covers the arival of the storm I can't think of another Krakauer book specifically about freezing to death - into the wild was about Christoper McCandless and his death in alaska but that wasnt hypothermia related. You might find Eiger dreams , a collectionof mountain stories by him useful  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); In regard of dental fillings - google is your friend - according to this http://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/ada-history-and-presidents-of-the-ada/ada-history-of-dentistry-timeline gold was being used in rich people from at least 1530 , while there are some records in china much earlier - but amalgam fillings were only developed in the early 1800s  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); Thank you @big soft moose ... I'll give them a read. As for the fillings, I think I'll give one of my princes a nice golden filling, to really ruin his snowy journey!  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); pamedria said: ↑ Thanks to all who replied so far. All were very helpful. @Scot sorry to hear you experienced such cold before! Never heard that about the teeth. Do you literally mean the fillings in the back of your mouth could be heard? If that is what you mean, does anyone know when people started to wear fillings? Medieval times is very much unlikely, even among royals, so I doubt I could use that example within the novel, but it would be great if I could. Perhaps if a characters had a chipped tooth, I would imagine it would then be so painful with the nerve endings... Or by die do you mean you no longer feel anything? Were there abscesses in the actual mouth during, or after the experience? Have you (or anyone else) experienced a snow storm brewing and starting? Click to expand...

Mckk Member Supporter Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); Reminds me of when my friends told me they had almost died on their trip when they were caught in the snowy mountains after sunset, with all the wrong clothes, and emergency rescue refused to come in due to the fog and darkness. Three out of four torches had died because the batteries had frozen, they were climbing on the edge of a cliff on a narrow ledge, and the last remaining torch kept flashing on and off. One of the girls really did want to lie down and sleep and her husband kept yelling at her to keep moving, keep moving. They were a pair of newly weds and another couple, and thankfully they made it to the top where there was a hut. In the guest book apparently they left the message, "Thank you for saving our lives." *shudders*  

Iain Aschendale Lying, dog-faced pony Marine Supporter Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); "To Build a Fire" by Jack London describes a man freezing to death in Alaska, and seems to be out of copyright (or the State Dept is ignoring those sorts of things these days). Take a look: To Build a Fire  

matwoolf Banned Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); White Spider: Tony Kurtz, 1936, lies frozen prone to the vertical ice shelf, his left arm is an icicle, the fingers of his right hand unravel a knot that shall save his life. Surely, he requires rope long enough to reach rescuers waiting 100 feet below. Over twelve hours he unstitches hemp with thumb and forefinger, but exertion is too much.. <Ich bin tote> he says, German and untranslatable. Incident known as 'The Death Of Tony Kurtz.'  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); Iain Aschendale said: ↑ "To Build a Fire" by Jack London describes a man freezing to death in Alaska, and seems to be out of copyright (or the State Dept is ignoring those sorts of things these days). Take a look: To Build a Fire Click to expand...

Iain Sparrow Banned Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); pamedria said: ↑ By cold, I mean freezing snowy mountains where you can die. The coldest I've ever experienced on a mountain was just the top of Ben Nevis, which was pretty cold - but nowhere near what I need to explain, so I want to read something that does so on a grand scale. I need the surrounding views, feel of the climb, and the deathly temperature, so I cannot really write based on experience for this scene. Only my imagination, which I want to do alongside research. So I mean COLD, COLD. Like Mount Everest. Has anyone here experienced such a climb, or such coldness? A comment describing the experience in an artistic way is what I would love, or could anyone refer me to a scene in a book, poem or anything (preferably to find online) where someone describes such surroundings, feelings and sensation? So if you know any piece of creative writing that has such a scene, please comment the name (or link, c/p) so I can look it up. I just need more ideas and inspiration because soon I will be writing a difficult chapter which will end in an avalanche. Any help would be really appreciated. Click to expand...

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); Iain Sparrow said: ↑ From my own experiences hiking alone in the wilds of Northern California... it never dipped below freezing so the worst I suffered was a case of goosebumps. Click to expand...

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); Iain Sparrow said: ↑ ended in the most bizarre way imaginable Click to expand...

Quanta Senior Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); Temperature on Mount Everest Wed. 4am: -27 Celsius. Temperature on my thermometer this morning: -27 Celsius. When I step out into such windless, dry cold without my gloves on, it takes a minute for my hands to feel the cold. Sinuses feel it instantly, though. Coldest I have experienced is -38 and I felt like a hero going about my outdoors chores. Someone I know who went out in extreme cold in jeans said her tights felt like frozen hams.  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Started reading and got great notes and quotes, but a lot to go through still! Want to make sure I have a lot of material to work with for when I start it. @Quanta May I ask where you're from? That's pretty damn cold. Have you been out long enough for your hairs to get iced up frosty?  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); Canada, 53rd parallel. It won't be that cold all winter long, but I'm not complaining. It doesn't take long for hairs to get frosty from condensation of the breath, perhaps 10 minutes. A co-worker of my husband went out in this kind of cold with wet hair. When he ran a hand through it, it broke like icicles.  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); I'm sure the wind chill is fun when its that cold - I remember one winter working as a chainsaw contractor in the UK , it was only about 5 below but working in a 30mph wind driving freezing slush in our faces was no kind of fun at all ( minus 1 deg C for every mph makes that effectively -35C) My visor kept icing over and having to be knocked off against a tree, and my protective over trousers developed a frozen layer on the outside. I couldn't feel my fingers or my toes, and my beard filled up with ice after four hours we said the hell with it and went to the pub to warm up  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); pamedria, I might add that I live near the city of Prince George, thought no prince of that name ever visited. I sacrificed myself (with great pleasure ) this afternoon and went on a snowshoe trek to make first hand observations about the cold. By the same occasion, I went to find a Christmas tree that I dragged with a rope all the way home. On the way in, going at a normal steady pace, I felt warm and comfortable in my four layers of clothing. On my way back and pulling the tree, I got sweaty very fast. When I stopped to catch my breath, it only took seconds to become chilled. It seems to me that when it is this cold, the coniferous trees are of a darker, duller green than when it gets near the freezing mark. (your characters may go through a forest on their way up the mountains.) This isn't so much about the cold but, on a sunny day, the snow is of a blueish-grey in the shade and of a very pale gold in sunshine and everywhere, diamonds in the snow. It looks especially magical in the moonlight. It makes me feel so fortunate, thought if I was a prince stuck in the mountains, I might wish to trade my fortune for a pub with a roaring fireplace. My husband works in the mountains near the Alaska border at 1371m/4498ft altitude. Up there, it is always windy, and foggy on most days. Snow started falling by the end of October and through most of November, it snowed at least 30cm every day and every night. Good luck with writing your scene  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); @Quanta Aww thank you so much for that comment! Very helpful indeed! It's first-hand experience too so you know it's genuine and raw. I especially like the comment about trading fortunate for the pub! Think my prince will have those thoughts. Pretty much the whole book is set in winter time, so thanks for making you comment wider about the forest as well! I remember when I was climbing a mountain in the snow around -10, I wanted to cry and was questioned every life decision I had ever made to that moment haha! I wanted to be in bed with a movie.  

Googoo300 New Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_0edfd8f3430c5472dec3f75c176765bd'); }); Hello! As an avid hiker, Alaskan native, and hater of snow, I may be able to help! Below is a semi artistic look at what I've personally experienced. In one sentence form Just one tip, when hiking extreme peaks in extreme cold you want to make oxygen choices. My father always slapped me for talking, explaining that I was waisting oxygen. White circles around my dizzy head. Lungs burning every step I took. Kneeling was the biggest mistake I made, my knees, improberly covered, had been soaked. Numb toes glided across rocks I'm going to do a poor job describing this feeling, and it probably won't be artistic at all. Anyway, whenever I'm just walking from the house to the barn to feed the dogs I never pull on my warm socks. I ALWAYS assume that I'll be quick and won't need to. But I'm ALWAYS wrong and my feet become bricks about halfway to the barn door. I literally feels like thousands of needles digging into my skin every step. In very cliche words, every time my foot hits the ground I can feel my bones breaking and I get hot tingles.  

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Writing a Story With "Story Mountain"

Kip Insights Team • April 27, 2023 • UK

The "Story Mountain" is a widely used framework in creative writing, often employed in classrooms and workshops to structure stories. Understanding the basic elements of the story mountain can help students create engaging and well-structured narratives.

Story Mountain

Opening - The opening of the story is where you set the scene by introducing the setting, characters and establish the tone of the story. It's important to provide details about the characters, the time and the place where your story is taking place. This will help readers better understand the journey that lies ahead.

Build-up - In the build-up phase, the story starts to gain momentum as the main character faces obstacles and struggles to overcome them. This is where you can add detail of interest to the reader, foreshadowing events that will lead to a greater conflict. By building tension and intrigue, you can keep the reader engaged and eager to know what happens next.

Problem - The problem or conflict is the turning point of the story, where the tension reaches its peak and the character faces their biggest challenge. This is the moment when the story takes an unexpected turn, and the character must confront and address the problem head-on. It's crucial to create a compelling and challenging problem that will keep readers hooked.

Resolution - The resolution is the point at which the character must solve or resolve the problem to reach their final goal. This is the most exciting part of the story, where the plot reaches its climax and the character's fate hangs in the balance. Make sure to keep readers guessing and create a satisfying resolution that ties up loose ends and provides a sense of closure.

Ending - The ending of the story is when the characters have resolved the problem and everything has been resolved. While it's the conclusion of the story, you can still be creative and add an unexpected twist that gives your story a unique and memorable ending. This could even hint at the possibility of a continuation or sequel.

Putting It To Use

To write a story using the story mountain framework, start by brainstorming ideas for each of these elements. Consider the type of story you want to tell, the characteristics of your main character, and the challenges they will face. Use the story mountain as a guide to structure your ideas and create a cohesive and engaging narrative. Here's an example of how you might use the story mountain to write a short story using Little Red Riding Hood: Beginning : Little Red Riding Hood sets off through the woods with a basket of food for her sick grandma. Build-up : Along the way, she encounters the cunning wolf who asks her where she is going. Little Red Riding Hood becomes suspicious but continues on her way to her grandma's. Problem : When she arrives at her grandma’s house, she realises that the wolf has locked her grandma in the cupboard and is pretending to be her. Little Red Riding Hood screams for help. Resolution : Just as the wolf is about to eat her, the Woodcutter arrives and chases the wolf away. Ending : Little Red Riding Hood, grandma, and the Woodcutter live happily ever after, knowing they foiled the wolf's evil plans.

To Conclude

In conclusion, the story mountain framework is a valuable tool for structuring stories and creating engaging narratives. By following the elements of the opening, build-up, problem, resolution, and ending. You can create a well-paced story that captivates readers. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, the story mountain can help you organise your ideas and bring your stories to life. If you're interested in learning more about Improving your child’s writing skills, we invite you to book a free assessment on our website. Our team of English specialists can provide personalised feedback and guidance to help you become a more confident and skilled storyteller. Visit our website today and take the first step towards enhancing your storytelling abilities with Kip McGrath.

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What Is A Story Mountain In Writing & Screenwriting: Esseential Guide

In the world of writing and screenwriting, a Story Mountain is a pivotal tool that shapes compelling narratives .

It’s a visual plot structure that helps us map out the rise and fall of a story’s action, guiding readers and viewers on an unforgettable journey.

The Purpose Of A Story Mountain

Understanding the purpose of a Story Mountain clarifies its relevance in the realms of writing and screenwriting.

Simply put, it serves as a foundation for structured storytelling, ensuring that narratives don’t meander but instead grip audiences with a clear progression.

The Story Mountain aids in developing compelling plots by mapping out key moments in the narrative.

By providing this structure, writers can focus on enhancing character development and refining pivotal scenes to maintain the viewer’s engagement.

• Prevents stagnation – by dictating the rise and fall of action, the Story Mountain stops stories from becoming static or uneventful.
• Guides emotional impact – it helps pinpoint where audiences should feel tension, excitement, or relief, enhancing the overall emotional journey.

In the context of filmmaking, the Story Mountain is especially crucial.

With screen time at a premium, it’s imperative that each scene advances the story effectively, maintaining a pace that captivates the viewer from the opening scene to the final moments before the credits roll.

Plot points detailed on a Story Mountain ensure that screenwriters have clear milestones to work towards.

This not only aids in the creation of tight scripts but also facilitates the production process, as directors and producers can pre-visualize the film’s trajectory and prepare accordingly.

• Clarifies narrative goals – story mountains provide tangible targets for narrative highs and lows.
• Facilitates revision – as a visual tool, it allows writers to quickly assess and tweak their story’s pacing and distribution of key events.

It’s an invaluable tool for any writer, but particularly for those in the competitive world of film where each moment on screen must count.

By adhering to the rising and falling action that a Story Mountain dictates, filmmakers can produce stories that resonate deeply with their audience and stand the test of time.

Understanding The Structure Of A Story Mountain

The Story Mountain isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a blueprint for building the architecture of a narrative.

At its core, it embodies five crucial stages of storytelling – these stages are pivotal touchstones that guide the progression of our characters and plot.

– Exposition – We establish the setting, introduce main characters and reveal the starting situation.

• Rising Action – Conflict begins to unfold, challenges arise, and stakes are set higher.
• Climax – Our characters face their greatest challenge, resulting in the most intense point of the story.
• Falling Action – Consequences of the climax unfold and tension decreases.
• Resolution – Characters grasp the outcome of their journey, though it’s not always what they anticipated.

Examining a film like The Matrix , the Story Mountain becomes evident through the systematic building of action as Neo discovers the true nature of reality, culminating in his transformation into “The One.

” It’s this structure that grips audiences, holding their attention through emotional highs and lows.

Implementing the Story Mountain in screenwriting is fundamental to our script’s success.

The tight narrative control it offers us ensures we’re providing clear plot points and character arcs that serve the story and resonate with audiences.

Fluency in this framework allows us to craft a storyline that flows effortlessly even though its carefully plotted course.

Understanding the ebb and flow of narrative tension is essential.

Our scripts must grip viewers from start to finish, like a thrilling roller coaster designed with intentionality.

A well-constructed Story Mountain helps us maintain pacing and dramatic tension at every turn.

The Elements Of A Story Mountain

While crafting narratives for the screen, understanding the key components of a Story Mountain is paramount .

This model is vital for scriptwriters to create compelling and emotionally engaging tales.

Exposition introduces the characters, setting, and the story’s initial situation.

It’s the groundwork upon which the entire narrative will develop.

In The Matrix, we’re plunged into a perplexing reality where the protagonist is just as baffled as we are.

Rising Action forms the bulk of the narrative, where tension and complications build.

This phase introduces smaller crises that propel the plot forward.

For instance, Neo’s gradual acceptance of his role in The Matrix is fraught with trials and confrontations.

At the peak is the Climax , the moment of highest tension and drama.

This turning point is often a confrontation between the protagonist and antagonist.

In our case, Neo’s encounter with Agent Smith serves as an explosive and revelatory climax.

Following the climax is the Falling Action , where the immediate repercussions of the climax unfold.

It leads us toward the story’s closure.

Here the characters might grapple with the climax’s outcomes or tie up loose ends.

Finally, the Resolution rounds out the narrative arc, resolving any remaining subplots or questions.

It provides closure and often, a glimpse into the future of the storyworld.

Utilizing a Story Mountain effectively ensures that the story hits all the necessary emotional beats.

Here’s a quick rundown of its advantages –

• It structures the script around clear plot points.
• It guides character development and arcs.
• It maintains pacing and dramatic tension consistently.

By integrating these elements, we cultivate stories that captivate audiences and withstand the test of time.

Our focus is always on forging an enthralling journey for viewers, from the comfort of their seats right up to the edge – and holding them there, spellbound, as the narrative unfolds in unexpected, yet deeply satisfying ways.

How To Use A Story Mountain In Writing

Applying the Story Mountain to writing is quite straightforward once you’ve grasped its structure.

We’ll look at the framework within the context of writing a screenplay.

First , you’ve got the exposition.

This is where you’ll lay the groundwork for your story – introducing the characters, setting, and initial conflict.

Second comes the rising action.

Here the stakes begin to escalate and the tension builds.

It’s the bulk of your screenplay where characters struggle, face obstacles, and the audience becomes hooked.

Moving on, the climax is where the tension hits its highest point.

The main character faces their greatest challenge, often resulting from the rising action.

Next, the falling action allows for the aftermath of the climax to unfold.

It’s where characters process and the story begins to wrap up.

Finally, we have the resolution – not the end, but the tying up of loose ends.

It’s where the journey concludes, and the new norm is established for the characters.

Here’s a quick breakdown using Lord of the Rings as an example:

• Exposition – The Shire is introduced; Frodo receives the ring.
• Rising Action – Frodo decides to journey to Mount Doom; faces numerous trials.
• Climax – The confrontation at Mount Doom.
• Falling Action – The destruction of the ring; reaction to the victory.
• Resolution – Return to the Shire; impact of the quest on characters.

Using this structure purposefully in screenwriting helps you keep track of narrative flow and ensure that every element serves the story.

It’s about anchoring scenes to these pivotal moments and reasoning their existence in relation to the larger narrative.

This approach allows for powerful storytelling that resonates with audiences and keeps them engaged throughout the film’s duration.

To properly use the Story Mountain, we must also consider character arcs.

They are the backbone of the story and must evolve with the structure.

Let’s briefly cover how to align character development with the Story Mountain in our next section.

How To Use A Story Mountain In Screenwriting

Crafting a screenplay is akin to building a house.

First, we lay the foundation – that’s our exposition where we set the scene and introduce the characters.

Then, we build the walls, or the rising action, where tension and conflict begin to escalate.

Our climax is the roof, the pivotal turning point that decides the direction of the story.

Finally, we add interior details – falling action – and paint the front door with our resolution, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

When applying the Story Mountain to screenwriting, it’s pivotal we understand our characters’ motives.

Every action on the Story Mountain must be driven by the characters’ desires and fears, aligning their arcs with the various stages of the story.

By doing this, we ensure that the events are not only exciting but also deeply personal and engaging to the audience.

The key to a successful screenplay is not just building a Story Mountain but knowing when to navigate it.

As we approach our screenplay’s climax, we escalate the stakes.

What’s at risk if our protagonist fails?

We must make it clear that everything built up to this point could crumble if the climax does not resolve the core conflict.

Screenplays thrive on structure and subtlety.

We use the falling action to release tension, but also to plant seeds that help the audience piece together the story’s deeper meanings.

It’s the thoughtful distribution of these clues throughout that keeps viewers invested and talking long after the credits roll.

The resolution of a story delivers satisfaction.

It’s essential to tie up loose ends without making the wrap-up seem too convenient or far-fetched.

Our goal is to create a conclusion that resonates emotionally and logically with the themes we’ve woven into our screenplay.

Remember, in screenwriting, the Story Mountain is a guide, not a rigid rulebook.

We use it to keep our narrative on track but should always be open to creative deviations that enhance our story’s impact.

After all, some of the most memorable moments in film come from unexpected twists and turns.

Story Mountain Essentials In Writing & Screenwriting – Wrap Up

We’ve explored the Story Mountain’s pivotal role in crafting stories that captivate and resonate.

By mastering its stages and integrating character arcs, we ensure our narratives pulse with life and authenticity.

Remember, while the Story Mountain serves as a stellar blueprint, it’s our creative flair that will truly make our screenplays stand out.

Let’s harness this structure to weave tales that linger long after the credits roll, always willing to bend the rules for the sake of an unforgettable story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a story mountain.

A Story Mountain is a narrative framework with five key components — exposition, rising action , climax, falling action, and resolution — used to structure and guide the crafting of compelling stories.

How Does “the Matrix” Exemplify The Story Mountain?

“The Matrix” exemplifies the Story Mountain by following the essential stages: the exposition introduces the characters and setting, rising action builds tension, the climax is the peak of the conflict, falling action star ts resolving the turmoil, and the resolution ties up the story’s loose ends.

Why Is The Story Mountain Important In Screenwriting?

The Story Mountain is crucial in screenwriting because it helps structure the script, ensures effective pacing, maintains dramatic tension, and guides character development, all of which are key to holding the audience’s engagement throughout the film.

Can You Apply The Story Mountain To Any Narrative?

Yes, the Story Mountain can be broadly applied to narratives but using examples like “Lord of the Rings,” the article shows that while the framework benefits screenwriting, it’s also a guide that can accommodate creative deviations to enhance the story.

How Should Characters’ Development Align With The Story Mountain?

Character development should align with the Story Mountain by having characters’ motives and arcs correspond with the varying stages of the story, ensuring a coherent and emotionally engaging progression throughout the narrative.

What Is The Role Of Escalating Stakes In A Story Mountain?

Escalating stakes are pivotal in the Story Mountain, particularly as the climax approaches; they serve to heighten tension, keep the audience invested, and make the story’s peak moments more impactful.

How Should A Resolution Be Handled According To The Story Mountain?

The resolution should efficiently resolve conflicts, offer closure, and tie up story threads without being overly convenient or implausible, ensuring a satisfactory end for the audience.

Is The Story Mountain A Strict Set Of Rules For Storytelling?

No, the Story Mountain is a guide rather than a strict rulebook.

It provides a helpful structure for storytelling but encourages writers to explore creative deviations to enrich the story’s impact.

What Is Parallel Editing In Film: A Definitive Guide

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Matt Crawford

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Home » Reading Strategies » Exploring Plot Mountain: What It Is and How to Use It

Exploring Plot Mountain: What It Is and How to Use It

Plot Mountain is a story structure tool for teachers and students. It can help students in their writing by visualizing the arch of a story. As teachers, we see many students find it hard to set up their stories. They often don’t know when to put in the most exciting part. Plot Mountain helps with this. It’s a simple and clear way to teach students how to write good stories from start to finish.

In this article, we will learn what Plot Mountain is and how it compares to Freytag’s Triangle. We’ll look at the good parts and not-so-good parts of using it, and common mistakes people make. We’ll also talk about how to make your own Plot Mountain for your story. Lastly, we will learn about different tips and tricks for teaching Plot Mountain .

Table of Contents

What is plot mountain, types of plot mountains, why use plot mountain, disadvantages of plot mountain, avoiding mistakes with plot mountain, creating a plot mountain, plot mountain template, plot mountain video tutorials, frequently asked questions, short summary.

• Plot Mountain is a story structure tool used to help writers organize their ideas.
• There are two kinds of Plot Mountain, Freytag’s Triangle, and an updated version. Each one has good parts and not-so-good parts, depending on the story you’re writing.
• Making a Plot Mountain means naming and showing parts of a story on a triangle picture. There are video lessons you can watch to help you do this.

Plot Mountain is a special diagram writers use to plan their stories. You might also hear it called a plot diagram or plot elements mountain. It’s a picture that shows how a story is put together. A Plot Mountain usually has five parts: the start, the part where things start to get more exciting, the most thrilling part, the part where things start to calm down, and the end.

The start, or “exposition,” is where the story begins. It introduces the characters, where they are, and what the problem is. The part where things start to get more exciting is called “rising action.” It is where the problem gets bigger, and the story gets more interesting. The most thrilling part, or “climax,” is the part of the story where the problem is the most serious.

After the climax is the “falling action,” where things start to get better. The end, or “resolution,” is where the problem is solved and the story wraps up.

Two types of Plot Mountains are Freytag’s Triangle and a newer version. Freytag’s Triangle was created by Gustav Freytag in the 1800s. It’s a triangle picture that shows a story in five parts. The beginning, the build-up, the most thrilling part, the wind-down, and the end as dissuced earlier.

One problem with Freytag’s Triangle is that it puts the most thrilling part in the middle . This can make the last part of the story less exciting. The newer Plot Mountain structure has a big exciting event at the end. It has six parts: the beginning, the start of the problem, the build-up, the most thrilling part, the wind-down, and the end.

The biggest difference between the new Plot Mountain and Freytag’s Triangle is where the most exciting part of the story happens. In the new version, it’s at the end of the story. In Freytag’s Triangle, it’s in the middle. So, if you’re writing a story that happens now, the new Plot Mountain might work better for you.

Plot Mountain is really helpful for both teachers and students. It offers a roadmap for writing a story, breaking it down into five to six clear sections.

This tool helps writers sort out their thoughts and craft a story that’s simple for readers to follow and enjoy. For students, it’s a visual way to understand how a story should progress. It helps them organize their thoughts and create a story that keeps attention.

Plus, Plot Mountain helps add excitement to the story. The build-up takes the reader to the most exciting part, making them want to read on to see what happens.

Plot Mountain’s strict structure can sometimes make it tough for some to write a story. It can be hard to balance hitting all the necessary story parts and creating a story that flows smoothly.

Plot Mountain is made for stories that go in a straight line, from start to finish. So, it can be hard to use for stories that jump around in time or place. Plot Mountain has a definite beginning, middle, and end. This can be tricky when your story doesn’t go in a straight line from start to finish.

This means if you want to write a story that doesn’t follow the usual structure, Plot Mountain might not be the best tool for you.

Common mistakes teachers make when teaching Plot Mountain:

1. Too much focus on structure . Don’t focus too much on the Plot Mountain shape. This may make students think all stories must be the same. Remind them that stories can be different and creative.

2. Not enough examples. Plot Mountain can be better understood when teachers use more examples. Use examples from various types of stories and genres. This will show how the structure applies in different situations.

3. Going too fast. If you don’t give enough time for students to learn each part of Plot Mountain, it can be confusing. Go slow and make sure they understand.

4. Forgetting characters. While teaching about the plot, don’t forget to talk about how characters change in a story. This helps make stories more interesting.

5. Over-simplifying stories. Some stories are more complex and don’t fit Plot Mountain perfectly. Teachers should explain that stories can have different styles and shapes.

To make your own Plot Mountain, follow these steps. Keep in mind the importance of organizing the story. Labeling its parts, and adjusting the mountain shape to build tension throughout the plot.

First, begin by drawing a triangle shape, which will represent the mountain. This is the visual guide that will illustrate the progression of your story.

Now, divide the triangle into five parts as disussed before. Each part represent one key story element- exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Label each part on your mountain accordingly:

Exposition:

This is where you introduce the setting, characters, and background information at the base of the mountain.

Rising Action:

In this segment, you will detail the events and conflicts that lead up to the climax of the story. The rising action should make the climb up the mountain steeper, indicating the buildup of tension.

This is the peak of your mountain, signifying the most exciting and intense moment of your story. Ensure that the top point of the triangle is higher to emphasize the importance of this turning point.

Falling Action:

As the story unfolds after the climax, the plot moves towards resolution. The descent of the mountain should be longer, representing the post-climax events and a gradual release of tension.

Resolution:

This is the base of the mountain on the opposite side, where the story’s main conflict is resolved, and loose ends are tied up.

Using these steps to create a Plot Mountain helps you visually organize your story. Let’s see how it can apply to an actual story. The following is an example of how using Cinderella.

Applying a Story to Your Plot Mountain

To apply a specific story to your Plot Mountain, you will of course need to identify the key elements of the narrative and map them onto your mountain. Here’s how you can do this using a well-known story, “Three Little Pigs,” as an example:

1. Exposition: At the mountain’s bottom, write the beginning parts. These would include items such as the place (countryside), characters (three little pigs, big bad wolf), and background (pigs leave home to build their own houses).

2. Rising Action: In this part, list events leading up to the story’s high point. In “The Three Little Pigs,” this has the first pig building a straw house, the second one building a stick house, and the wolf appearing and blowing down the first two houses.

3. Climax: Find and write the most thrilling part of the “The Three Little Pigs.” The climax is when the wolf tries to blow down the third pig’s brick house but fails, showing the pig’s cleverness and preparedness.

4. Falling Action: Note events happening after the high point in the story towards resolution. In “The Three Little Pigs,” this includes the wolf attempting to enter the brick house through the chimney, leading to his downfall.

5. Resolution: At the mountain’s other bottom, write the story’s end. In “The Three Little Pigs,” this is when the wolf falls into the chimney, lands in a pot of boiling water

A plot mountain template is a useful visual aid to plan a story. It’s a diagram that shows the story’s ups and downs from start to climax and ending. You can find many plot mountain templates for free online.

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Elevate foundational math skills with the Fact Family Number Bond Work Mats. Tailored for first and second graders, this resource emphasizes the vital connection between number bonds and fact families. The color-coded design ensures an efficient learning experience, catering to each student’s level. With 4 printable pages, these mats are versatile, extending their utility beyond traditional math classrooms and into various subjects.

Number Bond Flash Cards by Easy Peasy Resources

Strengthen number bond proficiency with these flash cards tailored for number sets 5-10. Simple yet effective, these cards provide students with a practical way to practice their number bonds. Ideal for math tubs or practice centers, these cards are a must-have for educators aiming to reinforce foundational math concepts in a fun and engaging manner.

This template is flexible and can be used for any story genre or style. You can adjust it to show your story’s settings, characters, and other important parts. It also helps you build excitement, suspense, and emotions in your story. It’s a great way to organize your plot and make sure everything fits well. You can even watch tutorials to learn how to use it better.

Just fill it with your story details and read it to understand how your story goes and your character grows. It’s also great for making sure everything is in the right place for a good ending.

Plot mountain video lessons are a great way to learn story structure and plot basics. These lessons teach the idea of a plot mountain in an easy-to-understand format. Students can learn the different parts of a story arc by watching these videos. They also learn about the role of events, characters, and settings in building a plot mountain. To get the most from these lessons, watch them, take notes, and use the provided plot mountain template to reach your goal.

These video lessons are perfect for anyone wanting to teach plot mountain. They give a clear introduction to plotting and help students remember key story parts and structure. You can also use these videos to improve your own knowledge. Brush up on structure and understand how to make a story that interests readers.

To conclude. Plot Mountain helps prevent plot holes and makes a story more engaging by dividing the plot into five parts. This is especially helpful for new writers. The visual representation helps them understand the story’s tension and suspense.

There are two main plot triangle types: Freytag’s Triangle and a new plot mountian. Choose whichever works best for your story. Be sure to avoid common mistakes like too much exposition with little action.

To make writing easier, you can find helpful plot mountain video lessons and a template page above. With this tool, you’ll be on the path to crafting a great story arc!

What are the 5 parts of the plot mountain?

Plot mountain has five essential components – these are the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This narrative structure provides readers with a clear beginning, middle and end, ensuring each story is both engaging and satisfying.

By breaking a story into these five components, readers can easily follow the plot and understand the story’s progression. This structure also helps writers to create a story that is both interesting and satisfying. It allows it to allow it to be used with ease.

What is the exact plot mountain order?

The plot mountain follows a clear structure, starting with the exposition, moving onto rising action, then climax, followed by falling action and resolving with a conclusion.

This structure helps to keep the reader engaged as the story progresses to its exciting climax before resolving.

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• Story Mountain Story Structure Worksheets Resources Ks1 Ks2

Story mountain – Best story structure worksheets and resources for KS1 and KS2 creative writing

Teach primary children this simple five-stop story structure technique to help them write great fiction, with these activities, ideas and other resources…

Introduce your pupils to the story mountain model and equip them with the tools to craft compelling fiction…

What is Story Mountain?

Story mountain template, story mountain classroom resources, improve creative writing with alternatives to story mountain.

Story Mountain is one story structure or story map that can be taught to children to help them with creative writing.

As the name suggests, these stories build to a big climax or obstacle that needs to be overcome, before being resolved and ending on the other side of the ‘mountain’.

The five parts are:

• Introduction/Beginning/Exposition This is the introduction to the world of the story and the main character(s)
• Build up/Rising action These are the events that interrupt this everyday world, a rising tension that leads us to…
• Problem/Dilemma/Climax The main obstacle in the story, whether that’s a big baddie or monster, or just a personal problem like shyness or fear
• Resolution/Falling action What happens after the big climax? Did the character(s) overcome it? How have they/their situation changed?
• Ending/Resolution Telling or implying the moral or meaning of the story as it finishes

Want to get straight down to business? Download this free story mountain template .

Identifying the plot reading and writing worksheets

Use these plot resources from Plazoom to develop an understanding of the plot in stories you’re reading in school. Pick from the suggested questions to discuss events and sequencing.

In the pack you get question cards, a sequencing worksheet, a story mountain worksheet, a planning sheet and teacher notes.

Plot Diagram Song

Entertain pupils while introducing the concept of story mountains with this Plot Diagram song which will help students increase their storytelling power and learn the elements of plot.

The song is sung to the tune of ‘Big Rock Candy Mountain’.

Another story mountain template

This PDF template includes space for children to write key information at each of the five points on Story Mountain. There’s also some handy prompts to help them think about what to include.

Teach story mountain with Little Red Riding Hood

Introduce the concept of Story Mountain to younger pupils by applying it to a story they should all be familiar with.

This printable KS1 worksheet includes squares to cut out with the key events from Little Red Riding Hood on them. They can then place these on the second sheet – the Story Mountain image. There’s also a third sheet to record key characters, interesting adjectives and time connectives.

You can easily adapt this for other familiar stories too.

Story writing advice – Author in your Classroom

This brilliant podcast series has been recorded especially for sharing with pupils. Each episode a well-loved children’s author shares writing tips and advice, and there are exclusive resource packs for every episode.

There’s Sam Copeland talking about  creating characters , Jamie Littler discussing  building fantasy worlds , Struan Murray explaining  how to build suspense  and more.

A story mountain alternative – circular stories

While Story Mountain exemplifies narratives that rise to a high point before falling back to a conclusion, the language (conflict, climax, resolution, and so on) can be challenging to teach.

Plus, as you’ll no doubt find too, not all of the stories she uses as models for writing necessarily follow this structure.

In Rachel Clarke’s article, she looks into how stories that go round in a circle can teach story structure in a simple and satisfying way .

Move away from the standard storytelling model, suggests Stephen Lockyer, and you’ll be amazed at the complex narratives children can produce…

If you were to ask a child in primary school to start a story, most would not have too much difficulty with this.

Story openers tend to be vivid with description, using plenty of adjectives, and painting a fantastic initial picture. Ask them to plot out a more complex tale, however, or even write the ending, and many children become unstuck.

Problems are resolved with incredible speed, storylines are left loose or ignored – and without a gripping or entrancing narrative, the story writing ends up being filled with shallow detail. Why is this, and how can we tackle it in the classroom?

Character is key

Children tend to grow up learning that there are three types of characters: good ones, bad ones and extras (companions or pets). While this works for simple stories, having just three types limits the intrinsic purpose any of the characters in a story actually have.

Unpicking what makes a character good or bad, or the actual purpose of the extras, helps to flesh out the drive of each player in the narrative.

For example, why is the Big Bad Wolf really bad? If he was just hungry, why did he keep hunting the pigs? Developing his back story helps in defining him more effectively.

Vladimir Propp wrote about character types many years ago. Thankfully, not only are the types ageless, they can also be taught effectively from a very young age.

The character types are:

• The Villain
• The False Hero
• The Dispatcher
• The Princess
• The Princess’s Father

Now, clearly not all stories have all these characters, but even taking a simple adventure of a boy and his dog getting lost in the woods, uncovering the  character  of the dog (is she the helper, sniffing the way out of the woods, or is she the donor, uncovering a horde of food?) encourages the presence of the animal to have a purpose.

With older children, the simple companionship of the dog can help drive a story forward.

The story mountain

We have all experienced this: introduction, problem, resolution/climax. There are several difficulties with the story mountain template, not least that it doesn’t distribute the narrative in a particularly balanced way.

No one wants to read a story where a third of it is an introduction to the character. I use the five minutes/25 pages rule as an example in class; a new TV programme has just five minutes to draw me in, or 25 pages of a novel.

In reality, an introduction should take up the first twelfth of a story at most – we are here for the drama, not the setting! On two pages of A4 lined paper, that’s just the first sixth of a page. Get to the problem as quickly as possible.

This is setting out your stall – preparing your reader for a problem that’s about to happen. If you think that a twelfth is too little, consider books or films you have consumed recently.

Jaws  starts with a shark attack; James discovers the giant peach in pages; the wolf gets Grandma at the very start of the story. When plotting, begin with the end in mind.

Almost all stories tell of a character who doesn’t change in a new world, or one who is put into a new world and has to change (meaning a shift from normality, although sometimes it does mean a literal new world).

What is the end goal for our character: escape, transformation, saving, winning the prize? When we have solved their primal motivation, the one base instinct they are trying to resolve, we can then build the plot.

Stay the course

Problems are typically singular on the story mountain – it’s at the peak part, and this is where most stories come unstuck.

To help build up the plot more effectively, teach the children to imagine that it is an assault course that is being designed, rather than a mountain – lots of hurdles and challenges of increasing difficulty.

Think back to the Three Little Pigs story – an easy house (straw), then slightly more difficult (sticks), and then insurmountable (bricks).

By working out all the problems, and building them progressively through the plot, you are removing the story mountain, and replacing it with a saw teeth model, with increasing peaks and troughs as you follow the narrative.

Concurrent storylines

Another helpful strategy is to work out concurrent storylines. Developing these helps to flesh out what is happening.

In the ‘boy in the woods’ adventure, write it out in the centre, plotting out above and below what is happening for the boy’s parents at the same time. When do they notice he is missing? What do they do next? When do they alert the police?

By carrying out this task, you’ll find that the children will want to intersperse their tale with alternative scenes.

The biggest benefit of this is that you end up with converging storylines, and a much more interesting, dynamic story.

• Preparation Use this to come up with a character set and plot, word bank and scenes. Use stimulus materials like story scoring sheets, photographs, props and maps. The aim should be that the children are raring to go, and desperate to write.
• Writing Using their assorted support materials, set the children off to write. Avoid using the rabbit hole of dictionaries and thesauruses if you can, as they lock up creativity quicker than a wasp in the classroom. If the children get stuck, write a concurrent scene and return to the main plot.
• Refining Once written, now is the time to polish the final work. Carry this out by reading the work aloud, identifying any errors and correcting them as they go. Ensure that the drama is well-spaced and managed and that the story works well. Emphasise that it should be the aim of every writer to encourage the reader to be desperate to find out what happens next.

Stephen Lockyer is a teacher and author, living and working in South West London.

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