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!)
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!
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 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!)
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!
Ah interesting A.M! Did blowing out the candle become part of the ritual. Like having a close down routine I wonder?
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.
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!
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!
Always a mug of hot chocolate or fruity herbal tea to savour and sip while I write.