Ahem! Do I have your attention?

Ta-da! Now you see how easy it is.

Grr! But sound words can still be frustrating and overused. So, how do we know when to use a sound word. You know what I mean: the onomatopoeic words that are the sound you wish to express. It helps give your story a sense of reality. Rather than merely describing the sound using nouns, adjectives and/ or adverbs, the use of a sound word, an onomatopoeic word gives a more distinct flavor of expression. But it can be overused. As a reader, you don’t want to read all the grr’s that suggested a growling, distempered person speaking his or her mind, or the ta-da’s that suggest someone standing proud in front of a camera or an audience and feeling good about themselves, the ahem’s which suggest someone clearing his or her throat to attract everyone’s attention. These three examples only name but a few sound words. And there are more. Lots more.

You want to give your story, your dialogue in particular, the gift of sound. Just not too much sound. Enough to give it a sense of pizzazz, or an oomph, if you will.

The advantage of using sound words, onomatopoeic words, is the power of giving an impression of sound in fewer words than it would take to describe the sound. These sound words use the art of imitation, making an association with the sound itself, to create the sense of sound in the story.

Here's a comparison. Which one do you think makes a better, more effective sound impressions?

The model train made its way along the track until the last corner where it crashed into an obstacle barring its path.

The model train chugged along the miniature track, rattling its way around the corner where it screeched to a stop as it collided with the obstacle barring its path.

Can you hear the approaching train?

How about these two sentences. Which one works better?

The phone rang and I answered it.

The phone chimed its incessant tune to alert me of an incoming call and I clattered over a pile of pillows to answer it.

One more example:

I carried the tray full of china teacups to the table and set it down.

The tray rattled with teacups as I carried it to the table and set it down with a crackling thud.

So, what are some good onomatopoeic words and what do they mean? Well here are a few:

- thudded, fluttered, rustled – each suggests a sound of an object being shaken or tossed or dropped

- yammering – a whining, complaining voice

- snapped – something’s broken, like a branch

- yipped – an animal noise, like barking

- cough, croak, gulp, gurgle – human and animal noises

- mutter, murmur – the tone of voice in a dialogue

And there are plenty more to consider. But those are words that suggest a sound. There are also words that, when pronounced, actually make the sound, stimulating the ears. Like:

- achoo – the noise of a sneeze

- baa – a sheep bleating

- bow-wow – a dog’s bark    

- choo-choo – the sound a train engine

- cock-a-doodle-doo – the rooster’s crow

- ka-ching – the sound of a cash register

- ribbet – a frog’s croak

- vroom – the sound of a car engine when revved

- tsk-tsk, tut-tut – a sound of exclamation

- waa – a baby’s wail

- whee – the gleeful sound of a child having fun on a swing

- woo-hoo, yoo-hoo – a sound of jubilation, or a call to attract someone’s attention

Once again, there’s more. One of the greatest joys in being a writer is the challenge and ongoing learning experience of finding the right word. And sound words, onomatopoeic words, add so much flavor to the writing and their so much fun to work with. So, have fun and put some soundful joy into your writing. Just be careful you don’t overuse the onomatopoeic words.