I've been playing around with elements of smell in my last few works- sometimes it's a normal smell (salt air, blood, food). Other times I'm testing out concepts being smellable- something like "The men stank of blood, sweat, and desperation". Part of that is technically incorrect, as desperation doesn't have a smell, but I feel it can work.
It is a bit tell-y rather than show-y, but I feel that it can be a way to 1) communicate something in a succinct way, 2) show that the character in question is perceptive, and 3) help make the scene or character more emotionally punchy. Sometimes it's fun to show in a fun way, and sometimes it's effective to just tell, or at least be more direct. Smell can be a powerful tool for that.
Smell is a powerful tool for humans in real life, and can evoke strong memories. I am primarily a visual person, so pushing myself to incorporate different senses for my descriptions has been helpful, and educational. Also, having smell open as an avenue for sensory input unlocks yet another tool writers- certain places or people can have certain sounds that evoke them, or visuals that evoke them, or smells that evoke them.
I did appreciate the article- it highlights the importance of smell for everyone, and that would be the same for our characters.
It is a bit tell-y rather than show-y, but I feel that it can be a way to 1) communicate something in a succinct way, 2) show that the character in question is perceptive, and 3) help make the scene or character more emotionally punchy. Sometimes it's fun to show in a fun way, and sometimes it's effective to just tell, or at least be more direct. Smell can be a powerful tool for that.
Smell is a powerful tool for humans in real life, and can evoke strong memories. I am primarily a visual person, so pushing myself to incorporate different senses for my descriptions has been helpful, and educational. Also, having smell open as an avenue for sensory input unlocks yet another tool writers- certain places or people can have certain sounds that evoke them, or visuals that evoke them, or smells that evoke them.
I did appreciate the article- it highlights the importance of smell for everyone, and that would be the same for our characters.
