I'd add these:
1) Invoke more than one sense. Don't just provide the look, tell the reader what it smells and feels and sounds like as well.
2) Use language to reinforce feeling. Short and simple words will create a vastly different feel than long, polysyllabic latinate words. Want the constant whisper of the wind on those plains heard? Try to convey in sweeping sibilants used in describing the rustle and murmur.
3) God is in the details. Make it so you can look at things and interact with them. I'm working on an area right now where I'm trying to make sure every room is all it should be, including edescs, smell descriptions, scripts, etc. It's slow but I'm really looking forward to unveiling it sometime in the next year.
4) Use the right word, and look it up if you're not totally sure what it means.
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