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Short Stories: October 26, 2005 Issue [#680]

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Short Stories


 This week:
  Edited by: Diane Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Welcome to this week's edition of the Short Story newsletter. Each edition of the newsletter highlights issues of concern to short story writers.

~*Flower4*~ Diane ~*Flower4*~


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Letter from the editor

Using Your Nose


I read a novel last weekend and the description drew me into the tale immediately. I couldn't figure out why the descriptions in the novel stuck with me more than usual until I skimmed the pages out of context. I noticed the author used scent in many of the descriptive passages. It's funny how a scent can bring back a memory. When I smell pine, I'm drawn back to my childhood. I'm sitting in the living room admiring the Christmas tree my father is attempting to fit into the stand. I can smell the pine and sap from the freshly cut tree and it brings a smile to my face.

Looking through my own tales, I realized I rarely use odors to describe a scene. Smells can bring a scene to life for a reader, but it's an often overlooked descriptive tool. Writers focus on drawing a mental picture for the reader by describing what they see in the scene. By incorporating the scents in the room, they can not only draw the picture, but give it life. Consider the following passage:

After stretching, Franklin hopped to his feet and wiggled his ears. The burrow was empty. His mother must have taken his brothers and sisters out into the field. Franklin hopped toward the entrance, eager to taste the sweet greens.

The field appeared empty but if he looked closely, Franklin could see the tall field grasses twitching. The leaves on the trees were still; the twitching wasn’t the result of the wind. Franklin knew where to find his family, and after looking around for predators, he hopped to the corner of the field.

The description is adequate, but it doesn' t really give the reader a full picture of the setting. Animals use scent to identify danger, so adding a note about Franklin sniffing the wind for predators would be appropriate in this passage. First, I'd have to decide how a predator would smell. Since my cat is a predator for rabbits, I could describe the musky scent of his coat. Of course, he's a domestic cat so I'd have to take a little license with the description. Deciding upon and adding some information about the smell of danger would round out the scene.

Look through your stories and see if you can add another level to your descriptions by incorporating scent.

Until Next Time,
Diane Author Icon


Editor's Picks

I've selected a few stories for your enjoyment. Please remember to send the author a review. *Smile*



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#1020715 by Not Available.



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#992763 by Not Available.



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#924823 by Not Available.



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#1012079 by Not Available.



 Large Bills First Open in new Window. (13+)
A bank teller receives a surprise visit - from an armed robber.
#1018938 by Cassie Reynolds Author IconMail Icon



Featured Contest:

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Short story and poetry contest, with a theme!
#861112 by Kit Author IconMail Icon


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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

The editors work hard to make sure the newsletters are informative and enjoyable. We appreciate your responses.


*Note1* schipperke "I think I will try the idea of creating a character first, and design a story around the character for the upcoming NaNoWriMo in November. Thank you for an excellent newsletter."

Thank you and good luck with NaNoWriMo! *Smile*


*Note1*  Author Icon "Nice work on this week's NL, and thank you very much for plugging my story. And what you mentioned about putting characters in unusual situations is probably something I work hardest at in my own writing. I often ask myself, "What is the last thing I'd expect someone to do in this situation?" and then do my best to make it happen, and make it believable."

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