In graphic design, colour is very important. Yet for some reason, it seems the use of colour is frequently set aside when it comes to writing.

Newbie authors are always instructed to remember to include scents and sounds into their writing, but of the many seminars and writing classes I’ve attended, I’ve never heard mention of colour. Which, upon review, seems odd. If we are describing the world of our characters, should we not also be splashing it with appropriate colours, as well as the sounds and smells? Oh sure we almost always know the heroine’s hair is the colour of “spun gold” (not that I have ever seen spun gold to be able to compare it to) or the hero’s eyes were “black as night”. (Really?) But what about the rest of the fictional world? What colour is her apartment? Her office? His car? As with everything, the colours surrounding the hero and heroine also add to the romance or mystery.

After researching colour psychology for a design project, it occurred to me the list could easily transition from design to writing. You’ve seen many of these colours used to represent companies and business, but why not the world in our books?

This is a great little chart to show off some of the emotions associated with a few of the major colours. I thought it was worth sharing.

~ Nika