Do you need some help in writing a magic portal in your novel? Below we explain how to describe a portal in a story.
1. Glowing
Definition
Something that produces a steady or dull light.
Examples
“The gateway seemed to be glowing every time someone passed through it. It was an intriguing sight.”
“You couldn’t ignore how the door was glowing. It caught your attention and made you want to see what was behind it.”
How it Adds Description
The word “glowing” shows that the portal emits a soft light, which can capture the characters’ attention and draw them toward it, but some might feel uneasy around the “glowing” as it’s strange. It can show your readers that the portal is magical or unlike other things in the human world.
2. Hidden
Definition
Something that’s difficult to find or notice.
Examples
“The entrance to the new world was hidden, and it only revealed itself to those worthy of entering.”
“She tumbled through the hidden passageway, and when she steadied herself, she was in a new realm.”
How it Adds Description
You can use the word “hidden” to show that your portal is obscured to the majority of characters. Therefore, when a character finds the portal, it shows they’re worthy of entering or have a mission to complete there. “Hidden” might also signal that the characters who live on the other side of the portal don’t want to be found.
3. Extraordinary
Definition
Something that’s very special or extremely good.
Examples
“The wardrobe was extraordinary. Who knew a snowy forest was hiding behind some old fur coats?”
“He looked up at the extraordinary archway. It was decorated with fine details and beautiful materials.”
How it Adds Description
“Extraordinary” gives the image of a portal that’s awe-inspiring. This is a great adjective to use if you want to show your characters are fascinated by the portal. You can also use it to differentiate the portal’s elaborate design from more normal objects in the story.
4. Peculiar
Definition
Something that’s unusual or strange in a negative way.
Examples
“The wise old man ushered the group through the peculiar doorway. Though they were unsure, they followed his instructions into the unfamiliar universe.”
“She watched as a group of elves popped out of the peculiar opening. It looked like they’d been on a rough journey.”
How it Adds Description
If you want to create a sense of uncertainty or strangeness around the portal, “peculiar” can help. This adjective shows that the portal looks odd, which might make characters fearful or apprehensive to go through it. It could also signify that whatever lies through the portal is also negative or strange.
5. Miniature
Definition
Something extremely small, and often something that usually appears much larger.
Examples
“There’s no way you came through that miniature gateway. It’s too small to fit my foot in!”
“From a distance, the portal looked miniature. But when you were standing right in front of it, you had to strain your neck to see all of it.”
How it Adds Description
Not all portals are large, and “miniature” can be used to prove this. “Miniature” shows the portal is extremely small, and this may make characters worry about passing through it without getting stuck. It could also show how some characters physically can’t get through, leaving them out of the adventure. This could leave larger characters feeling upset and left out.
6. Enormous
Definition
Something that’s very large in amount or size.
Examples
“When they arrived, he felt fear rush through him. The entrance was enormous and much more imposing than he imagined.”
“As a child, the wardrobe seemed enormous. But today, it looked like an average piece of furniture you’d find in any store.”
How it Adds Description
“Enormous” can be used to give more details about the appearance and size of your portal. Since “enormous” shows the portal is large, your characters might be amazed by the sight of it. It could also scare them, as something so big could feel unnatural or formidable to them.
7. Unfamiliar
Definition
Something people have not experienced or seen before.
Examples
“She gasped at the unfamiliar cluster of lights before her. There was no way that she was meant to go through them.”
“He winced as he stepped towards the portal. Everything about it was strange and unfamiliar.”
How it Adds Description
Unless characters have prior experience with portals, it will likely feel “unfamiliar” to them. This could cause some characters to feel anxious. However, it could also excite them due to the prospect of a new world and a unique experience. Characters excited at the prospect of going through an “unfamiliar” portal may yearn for more action or change in their lives, implying that their day-to-day schedule is quite dull.
8. Murky
Definition
Something that’s dimly lit and quite unpleasant.
Examples
“The passage to the new planet was murky, and a simple glance at it sent chills down his spine.”
“Slowly, he approached the murky gateway. It was unpleasant, but he focused on what lay ahead.”
How it Adds Description
The adjective “murky” can be used to give a negative impression of your portal. This shows that it’s either scary, dark, or dirty, which can further imply that going through it might be an unpleasant experience. Only brave characters might pass through a “murky” portal.
9. Sinister
Definition
Something harmful or evil.
Examples
“The only thing between him and his true love was the sinister doorway.”
“She held her breath, closed her eyes, and jumped through the sinister window.”
How it Adds Description
“Sinister” can describe a portal that looks evil or leads to a distressing place. Some characters might avoid it completely and think of it as a bad omen. Others might be drawn to it through morbid curiosity.
10. Ancient
Definition
Something that’s from the very distant past.
Examples
“The ancient gateway consisted of crumbling columns wrapped in vine leaves.”
“On one side, the door was ancient. But on the other side, it was futuristic.”
How it Adds Description
To give your portal a sense of age, you can use “ancient.” This adjective is linked to the distant past, and you can use it to show your portal belonged to a specific era. This might make characters curious, especially if they want to visit a particular time period.