unhappiness follows me like the plague

weirdplusfunequalsus-blog asked: Hi there! I'm trying to write a story that contains quite a few noises, but I don't have to words for the noises. For example, "The noise of the child drumming his fingers against the table" as opposed to what the sound in text form would be. Normally, I'd use 'tap, tap, tap' but there's a difference in the taps of water falling, or the footsteps of a person. Is there a more specific way to write some sounds?

simplewritingtips:

The use of sounds in the sense of ‘tap tap tap’ is typically used in the sense of building suspense. You have to consider the way in which he person is walking. If you choose the right vocabulary, then it creates the desired effect without the repetition.

Normal walking:

• strolling
• sauntering
• wandering

Heavy walking:

• thundering
• stomping

Light walking:

• tiptoeing
  
• sneaking