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This week: Sensory: Odors in Fantasy Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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An Elf Fantasy Newsletter
Continued series on the use of senses in speculative fiction writing. |
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We made it to the last of the senses, though for fantasy I probably could have written some on 6th sense with seeing dead people, but we'll call it good at five this time. Now it's time to talk about the sense of smell and how it can be used within our writing.
As a sense, it doesn't always strike as an obvious or strong decision at times. Other situations, it's the one pulled out first because when we're adding things like how something smelled to the character, it's obvious the use of the sense and how it creates the moment in the story. And while some of the other senses have their grand uses, smell does have a few factors that make it important.
1. Creating a scene.
Cinnamon rolls baking in the oven, tulip fields in bloom, or even the wet and subtle aftermath of rain can help create the scene for the reader. If the character is around food then having the aromas from the ingredients/meals puts it more to a place a reader can appreciate from their own experiences. Inside or outside, there is much that the nose can experience even in fictionland.
2. Invoking a memory.
A scent can also bring up a memory for a character. It can be a flashback, something from their past, a long moment or even just a little note of something. Some baking smells remind me of my great grandmother, who often baked and we'd have special dinners at her house a couple of times a month. On the other hand, the slight whiff of skunk often reminds me of a book I read in college where the girl's personal heaven included that particular smell. There are many different thoughts that odors can invoke.
3. Connects to other senses.
Like many of the other senses, smell is one that connects to others. Ever have a cold and not be able to smell much of anything? Notice how things don't taste the same during that time? Smell and taste are two that work well together, or not so well at the same time depending on the situation. Others might be hard to pair, like smell and sound but there are situations where they could work together. Just depends on what you're writing.
While all of the sense have their use in story telling, how we use them is a big factor in the overall result. They are aspects of world, character and scene that help pull a reader into a story but it doesn't always have to be in abundance. Sometimes, it's the little bit that will make a scene or story work for a reader. I had one comment recently on how I used sound in a moment and that it really helped create the scene for them. A little of the sense can make a big difference in how far we can draw the reader into our stories. Give them all a try and see how things turn out. If it doesn't work, you can always edit things out of a story.
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How do you incorporate scent in your speculative fiction stories?
Last time I discussed hope and there were two people who sent in comments on the topic.
Comment by Quick-Quill 
In my novel I give the reader a sense of hope. Hope Matt will find something about his grandmother that will bring closure to himself and his uncles. Hope that Katherine will survive after all has been stripped from her. Hope there will be a happy ending. It keeps the reader turning pages. They want to know that all hope is not lost. Its a great story!
Comment by brom21 
To me, hope is the belief that my novel will get published. It is reinforced by imagining what my life would be like with my name on the back of a book on the stands. I picture myself sharing with others that I have published something and to inform those on WDC as well. The simple notoriety is a big motivator that gives me hope. I will make sure to put in things that will make the reader hope for my characters. Thanks for the newsletter!
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Fantasy: October 14, 2015 Issue [#7271]
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