Can the smell of rotting apples help you to write? A tip from Friedrich Schiller to trigger a routine & how to use your sense of smell to support your writing.
I had the most fun writing this post - it's been on my mind for a year after reading Gretchen Rubin's 'Life in Five Senses'. It was meant to be a short tip - but I wrote too much - not all of it made it through to this post. I'm trying to focus on the joy of writing for Substack - so this one is a bit of an experiment combining a tip with a longer post. I hope you like it ❤️
When I was writing my first book, I'd light the same candle at my table everyday and had, nearby, a little rollerball of essential oils I thought might keep my senses and mind alert. Whether they worked or not, the ritual of scent did, I believe.
I've lost that ritual, over the years, but would love to bring it back! Thanks for the reminder.
Kristine - I love this and think you are spot on with the ritual. The whole process of getting ready to write, calming the mind, turning away from distractions - there must be a reason why religions use candles so much. I'd love to hear if you bring it back and how it works for you.
Thank you! I vacillate between wanting to be able to write anywhere at anytime under any condition -- but knowing that certain settings simply communicate to my body and mind "now, now it's time to write."
My sister gave me a set of perfume testers that I kept in my writing bag - they were a great reminder to get into that state. Otherwise, visual reminders can help, like a small ornament or toy (gonks!)
Reading the post made me recall the book I read long ago - “ Perfume” by German writer Patrick Suskind where the hero is born with a supernatural sense of smell that can distinguish different types of smell. A riveting read!
Really fascinated by this idea of using smell as a way to "trigger a routine and associate pleasant experiences with our writing" (and of course delighted to see my books mentioned as inspiration). I am big on writing rituals but have never really paid attention to the olfactory component... now I'm going to think seriously about how I might start! 👃🙏
Thanks Mason - Schiller's apples have stayed with me since reading about them in Daily Rituals. I have always eaten apples to chew over a problem - my version of smoking a pipe! When I was looking for images and searched my phone, I have hundreds of photos of apples, including a perfume tester I'd taken on a writing retreat in 2021 called 'apple juice'. Wonder if I'll graduate to rotten apples as I progress with my writing. Or cider?!
What a bonkers writing habit! I definitely bought a very fancy candle for my last WIP (beautiful, unique smell in a pretty green glass which made night sessions cozy). The just blown out candle started to smell like a successful writing session!
I adored this! I write about fragrances to help people realise that there IS magic inside scents (and there are plenty to avoid) and hope that my work enables people to connect with fragrances like I believe we all can do. It is something I am so passionate about, something I love to explore, and something I want others to explore too. I haven’t found my writing scent (yet) but can’t wait to read what other people choose for theirs
Thank you! Fascinating that you write about scent. Have you explored scent for task initiation? I would love to hear if you find a writing scent - and why you chose it.
oh my word, i do this! i make a vat of earl grey to write with and began to keep a vial of bergamot essential oil at my writing desk to scent my wrist as i wrote. chocolate doesn’t count because it is ubiquitous throughout any morning. but that scent. i shall persist with it
I had the most fun writing this post - it's been on my mind for a year after reading Gretchen Rubin's 'Life in Five Senses'. It was meant to be a short tip - but I wrote too much - not all of it made it through to this post. I'm trying to focus on the joy of writing for Substack - so this one is a bit of an experiment combining a tip with a longer post. I hope you like it ❤️
When I was writing my first book, I'd light the same candle at my table everyday and had, nearby, a little rollerball of essential oils I thought might keep my senses and mind alert. Whether they worked or not, the ritual of scent did, I believe.
I've lost that ritual, over the years, but would love to bring it back! Thanks for the reminder.
Kristine - I love this and think you are spot on with the ritual. The whole process of getting ready to write, calming the mind, turning away from distractions - there must be a reason why religions use candles so much. I'd love to hear if you bring it back and how it works for you.
Thank you! I vacillate between wanting to be able to write anywhere at anytime under any condition -- but knowing that certain settings simply communicate to my body and mind "now, now it's time to write."
My sister gave me a set of perfume testers that I kept in my writing bag - they were a great reminder to get into that state. Otherwise, visual reminders can help, like a small ornament or toy (gonks!)
Reading the post made me recall the book I read long ago - “ Perfume” by German writer Patrick Suskind where the hero is born with a supernatural sense of smell that can distinguish different types of smell. A riveting read!
I love how even reading about smell can evoke past memories of books. Proustian recollection of books past!
Really fascinated by this idea of using smell as a way to "trigger a routine and associate pleasant experiences with our writing" (and of course delighted to see my books mentioned as inspiration). I am big on writing rituals but have never really paid attention to the olfactory component... now I'm going to think seriously about how I might start! 👃🙏
Thanks Mason - Schiller's apples have stayed with me since reading about them in Daily Rituals. I have always eaten apples to chew over a problem - my version of smoking a pipe! When I was looking for images and searched my phone, I have hundreds of photos of apples, including a perfume tester I'd taken on a writing retreat in 2021 called 'apple juice'. Wonder if I'll graduate to rotten apples as I progress with my writing. Or cider?!
i have upped the ante…my studio is in an apple orchard. apples have such a buoyant perfume. i guess it’s the gases that ripen everything else…
Elise - I love the ‘buoyancy’ of apple perfume - also new life goals to write in an orchard🍎
♡ i love how elizabeth gilbert talks of the genius in the house but i expect the genius in the trees is at work here…
What a bonkers writing habit! I definitely bought a very fancy candle for my last WIP (beautiful, unique smell in a pretty green glass which made night sessions cozy). The just blown out candle started to smell like a successful writing session!
Ah interesting A.M! Did blowing out the candle become part of the ritual. Like having a close down routine I wonder?
I adored this! I write about fragrances to help people realise that there IS magic inside scents (and there are plenty to avoid) and hope that my work enables people to connect with fragrances like I believe we all can do. It is something I am so passionate about, something I love to explore, and something I want others to explore too. I haven’t found my writing scent (yet) but can’t wait to read what other people choose for theirs
Thank you! Fascinating that you write about scent. Have you explored scent for task initiation? I would love to hear if you find a writing scent - and why you chose it.
Always a mug of hot chocolate or fruity herbal tea to savour and sip while I write.
Intriguing concept not often discussed!
Absolutely - smell is a buried sense, so we learn to neglect and therefore undervalue it. I have been trying to retrain myself to appreciate it.
For me lately: smell of insence at 2:00 am to 4:00am on a Thursday ❤️
Is that your writing ritual? Love it!
Thus is superbly interesting ❤️
Thank you - I loved researching and writing this and there is so much I could say!
oh my word, i do this! i make a vat of earl grey to write with and began to keep a vial of bergamot essential oil at my writing desk to scent my wrist as i wrote. chocolate doesn’t count because it is ubiquitous throughout any morning. but that scent. i shall persist with it
A vial of bergamot - I am feeling heady at the thought, just perfect.