Texture Thesaurus Entry: Crusty

Natural:

Scabs
Dried sea foam
Lime
Dried Tears
Tree bark
Water scale
Eczema
Chips
Conjunctivitis
Dry gulch/riverbed
Dehydration --skin, lips, etc
Dandruff
Sunburn
Barnacles
Scabby potatoes

Man-made:

Meringue
Buns
Scones
Over gelled hair
Bread
Pastries
Pie crust/Pizza crust
Cookies
Rust
Freezer burn
Custards, baked gratin
Fried batter
Sugar/salt rim on drink glass

Synonyms:

Flaky, crispy, brittle, well baked, scabby


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:

After two days wandering lost in the Mojave desert, Oman's face was crustier than a freezer burned steak.

What's wrong with this example?

Desert...freezer burn? There's a lot better comparisons that don't mess with the hot/cold thing going on.


A stronger example:

After two days wandering lost in the Mojave desert, Oman's face was crustier than a charred loaf of bread.

Why does this example work?

This one provides a good crusty comparison and has the added bonus of a visual tying sunburn to burned bread.