CTS Entry: Sticky

Natural:

Honey
Sap
Pitch
Spider webs
Burrs
Snail or slug goo
Tree buds
Flower nectar
Frog's tongue
Hen's Bane
Resin
Phlegm
Sleepy eyelids
Mud
Venus fly traps
Pollen
Thistle heads

Man-made:

Pull taffy
Glue
Paper mache
Bread dough
Biscuit dough
Cinnamon buns
Carmel apples
BBQ sauce
Hot wings
Rice Krispy Squares
Fly paper
Cooked ribs
Paint
Sticky notes
Duct Tape
Cling wrap
Band aids
Gum
Tar
Pitch
Grease
Hair wax or gel
Dried juice or pop spills
Old candies or lollipops
Lint brush
Dirty floors
Wet paint
Sweaty or wet clothing
Roasted marshmallows
Cooked rice or noodles

Synonyms:

Gummy, viscid, gluey, viscous, gooey, adhesive, tacky, viscid, clingy

Describing texture in a story creates intimacy between reader and character, and can even cause an emotional trigger for both. To anchor the reader in the scene, make sure comparisons and contrasts are clear and relatable, and within the scope of the narrator's life knowledge and experience.

A weak example:

As I walked down the dark hall of Aunt Emma's trailer, the gungy, gritty floor clung to my shoes like a tacky coat of paint.

What's wrong with this example?

There's a mixed image going on here--a gungy, gritty floor (dirty) and new paint (clean, a freshened up look). Make sure your comparison is an accurate match for what you are trying to show.

A strong example:

As I walked down the dark hall of Aunt Emma's trailer, the gungy, gritty floor clung to my shoes like used fly paper.

Why does this example work?

Here, the images go together--a gluey paper strip studded with dead bugs is a perfect match for a disgusting, unswept floor.