We as writers all know about the adage, “Show Don’t Tell” and one of the ways we do this is through the use of the senses. Of course the sight sense is used mostly and the touch sense but the senses of smell and taste can be often ignored. When used well, it can deepen a scene and make it pop in the reader’s mind as more vivid.
Here are some examples from YA novels that have stood out for me. One thing that all of these scenes share are the specifics of taste and smell.
“At first I’d hold a candy bar in my mouth until it warmed up enough to start softening, then I’d take a spoonful of ice cream, which would make the chocolate hard again, just for a few seconds, until it all began to melt together. Then I’d take some ice cream and balance a candy bar on top of the spoon and put it all in my mouth at once and chew, even when the cold hurt my teeth, pressing my tonque into the bits of cookie dough to taste for the mix of salty and sweet.
But the memories wouldn’t stop.
The memories of that day at Cameron’s house wouldn’t stop.” Sweethearts – Sara Zarr
When I think of taste and smell in novels, I always think of this scene. The main character Jennifer uses her closet binge eating to emotionally numb her feelings. In this particular scene, the emotional eating isn’t bringing on any numbness at all. I loved how the author shows Jennifer building upon the different flavors as a way to build up numbness against her memories. A reader can literally taste it.
“Cinder was the only full-service mechanic at New Beijing’s weekly market. Without a sign, her booth hinted at her trade only by the shelves of stock android parts that crowded the walls. It was squeezed into a shady cove between a used netscreen dealer and a silk merchant, both of whom frequently complained about the tangy smell of metal and grease that came from Cinder’s booth, even though it was usually disguised by the aroma of honey buns from the bakery across the square. Cinder knew they really didn’t like being next to her.” Cinder – Marissa Meyer
This opening scene of the novel is where the reader first meets the main character, Cinder. I loved how the author showed the character’s world using all of the senses, including the comparison of two conflicting smells. It could also hint as a metaphor for Cinder herself.
“I slowly peel and eat a handful of nuts. My last cracker. The groosling neck. That’s good because it takes time to pick clean. Finally, a groosling wing and the bird is history. But it’s a hollow day, and even with all that I start daydreaming about food. Particularly the food in the Capitol. The chicken in creamy orange sauce. The cakes and pudding. Bread with butter. Noodles in green sauce. The lamb and dried plum stew. I suck on a few mint leaves and tell myself to get over it. Mint is good because we drink mint tea after supper often, so it tricks my stomach into thinking eating time is over. Sort of.” The Hunger Games – Suzane Collins
You knew I had to put in a Hunger Games example right? :) Many of you already know this book uses the sense of smell and taste a lot. I like this scene in particular when Katniss starts to daydream about food. It shows that even having access to that rich food for only a few days creates longing; however, her hardscrabble life has prepared her to go without food despite the struggle.
So there are my examples of how to use the sense of smell and taste effectively in a scene. This is one of the things that I plan paying attention to in my own writing — especially since a lot of my pivotal scenes happen in a bakery.
Do you have any favorite scenes/novels where the sense of smell and taste are done well? Do you tend to use smell and taste often in your own work?
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Usually when a scene I’m reading is working really well – it’s due to the sensory and world details. Amazing how effective they are!
This is true for me too. This is probably why I still remember that SWEETHEARTS scene years after reading it. I love breaking down the WHY of a piece of writing works.
Karen, you and I are thinking alike these days! I did a post on Smell and Taste on my blog today too! I love your examples. I’ve been trying to add more references to smells and tastes in my latest novel revision, since my novel involves a cooking competition. Sometimes it’s hard to describe smells!
Ha, see great minds think alike! :) So you have food as a backdrop in your novel too? Yes, you definitely must use these senses for your scenes. I’ll stop by your blog and read your post. :)
One of those things that we all know, but can be hard to remember in action! I have a good sense of smell, so I find myself using that a fair amount, but taste doesn’t come as readily to my mind, even though of course it can be so powerful.
Planet of the Blind by Stephen Kuusisto is a great book for sensory writing! Kuusisto is a blind poet, and his descriptions are so evocative, yet (obviously) he never uses the sense of sight! Really fascinating read.
That’s great that the sense of smell comes so easily for you. This is a sense that I struggle with. Thanks for the book recommendation. I’ll have to check it out. :)
Yes! Smell and taste definitely add depth to any scene, and they seem to be the last of the senses I turn to. I’m much more likely to describe what my characters see and hear. Thanks for the reminder to stop doing that. ;)
And those examples are just gorgeous, especially the CINDER one. I need to read that book!
You must get your hands on CINDER. I read it this last past weekend and LOVED it. The world-building was great and loved the characters as well. :)
I love reading scenes rich in sensory details. They pull me into the setting, mood, story. So, I do try to incorporate sensory details in my own writing. If they are appropriate and relevant, they can make a big difference, I think.
I love it too. And it’s so a good learning experience when you read it in action.
When Katniss starts daydreaming about food is definitely one of my favorite uses of senses. It’s very powerful. There is a Dean Koontz series with a blind main character that also has some fantastic use of other senses. I’m not always a fan of his books but those are fantastic!
The mention of food always draws me into a story! :)
Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation. :) I love food so when I see it done well i novels, it’s ALWAYS gets my attention. Ha, ha.
These are all excellent examples. The Little House series as being written really well when describing house work and farm work in the 19th century, especially cooking and the food. And the book “Ploaying for Pizza” by John Grisham makes me want to go to Italy ASAP and eat all the delicious food!
Mmm…pizza. That sounds so good about right now. I love it when I read a novel and get caught in the sensory details — especially cooking. I really loved reading the Little House series growing up. It’s timeless.
I love your examples. The details are just right. I need to infuse more sensory details into my WIP (besides sight, of course!)
I love reading sensory details. Now when I’m reading, I’m even more aware of them. It’s a great learning experience.
I don’t think I do enough of that and so I’m working on it. I really enjoy the books that make the setting another character in the book.
This is something I definitely try to do during the revision process. The thing is the subtlety because you want it to blend into the story and not seemed hacked on.