While a smell can't “grab” someone
by the nose or “stab” someone, it still might be a powerful way your writing
can be used to describe this most elusive of the senses.
Recently, I have been reminded once
again of the power of smell on our memories.
It has come – as it does every year in the fall – when I am mowing the
lawn. While it would seem that the “odor” of fresh-mown grass would always be
the same, whether in spring, summer or fall, I find myself remembering the
experience of running onto the football field when I mow during these autumn
days. It’s weird, I know, but that’s not
something I remember when mowing during other times of the year. There’s something about the smell of
fresh-cut grass in the fall that immediately evokes the experiences of playing
in my high school games.
We have plenty of words to describe
other senses and sensations, but smell seems to defy words. And while human
beings’ sense of smell is not as developed as that of animals, it's a deep and
rich sense, and it can enhance how you communicate (especially when you're
crafting a story or describing a moment).
As with
anything else, when an emotion or one of the senses evokes any
sort of gut reaction, pay attention to it.
Translate that reaction into the words that you share – and happy
writing!
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