Smells - Tumblr Posts
220 Scents
This is a companion resource to Words To Describe Scent.
Arguably our most evocative sense, the sense of smell is an underused tool in writing descriptions and settings. Nothing transports me into the book I’m reading as effectively as the memory of some familiar scent, or some distant one awoken from the deepest parts of my brain. This is simply a list of recognizable scents, categorized by the “type” of scent or the kind of environment where it might be found:
(1) Natural scents are those that your character may expect to find in relatively undeveloped areas like while hiking a mountain, on a quest through a dark forest, or during an epic faceoff with their arch nemesis on a beach in the rain. These may also be found in more developed areas like a local park, and even in a peaceful oasis in a highly industrial area.
(2) Fruit/Vegetable scents are useful in many settings, so your character doesn’t have to work on a farm to use this list – though it certainly would come in handy for a farm setting! Our characters encounter these scents in the homes of loved ones, in inns where they rest for the night during a long journey, and while running through the palace orchard to warn the King of an impending attack.
(3) Florals, Herbs & Spices – perhaps the most fragrant and versatile category. Floral descriptions may be used for bouquets at an old flame’s wedding, or for a lover’s perfume left over on the pillow. Your character may encounter herbs & spices anywhere from a busy street market to a witch’s brew in an isolated mountain house.
(4) Industrial scents are those, in general, associated with humans, civilization, and development. These will typically be found in cities or wherever there are people. You may also notice that most of these would be generally considered unpleasant. That’s not to say pleasant scents don’t exist where there is development, just that the development itself usually doesn’t smell great. The beautiful scents from any of the other four categories can be, and often are, found in developed areas… especially those of the last category:
(5) Food! Your character’s favorite café, their mother’s kitchen when they were a child, the lunch their best friend used to share with them, the last Christmas meal at their ex-lover’s home, the cocktail they were drinking when they met their arch nemesis – the list is endless and endlessly evocative.
Use wisely and enjoy!
If the Pevensies were Candles what would they Each Smell like?
I may stink of alcohol markers but you know what there are definitely worse things to smell like
College has so many different smells, I can feel my neurons crying
Smell is an incredibly powerful sense which most people, for whatever reason, generally chose to ignore.
Each season has a distinct smell. Winter I find to be most distinct as it is (for me) a mixture of sharp and fireplace. I also think, with enough practice, a blindfolded person with a good nose would be able to guess their approximate street location in Manhattan solely by the unique cocktail of smells of the place. I used to be able to do this over a short span of blocks on my commute home from high school.
if you try to tell me cold doesnt have a smell you’re wrong
when its really cold you can literally smell how cold it is
what are weird/uncommon scents that you enjoy (like scents you cant get as a candle)
mine are dental offices, pool chlorine, and gasoline
Sooooooooo, I did something stupid.
I burnt falafels in the microwave… The smell is the embodiment of a fart that ate a camp fire!
Its impregnating the house with its STENCH!!! Gaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!
What’s even more concerning is that I’ve burnt more food in Chef Mike then I should. I’ve burnt tofu, hot pockets, hash browns, noodles, rice, curry, cake— I have a body count and I hate it. I’ve nearly started fires!
I can hear my family’s disappointment from here.
Holidays and Events - Plum Bread Although it is called bread, the flavor is more akin to cake. I typically make this around the holidays. The flavors of eggnog and Christmas are just enhanced by the spices in this cake. A bundt cake, four small loaves, or two medium loaves can be made from this recipe.