Yes, autumn is my favorite time of the year. The garden is winding down, with the last few tomatoes and peppers ripening, the air is drier and crisper, and the scents from the fallen leaves and grasses fill the air.
I don’t know, there is something about the smell of autumn that draws me. Here in the woods, there are scents which hint at tobacco and hay drying , exotic incense, and woodsy loam, with a pinch of aromatic spices thrown in. Add to this the sweet smell of wildflowers, which are giving us one more colorful show before winter.
If I could bottle it, I’d be a millionaire.
When I’m writing, I try to involve all the senses. It’s easy to forget how much more there is to life besides sight and sound.
How does the world around your character smell?
How do things in their environment feel? Is the tree bark rough or smooth? Is the fabric of his shirt warm or cool to the touch?
And don’t forget taste.
Everyone perceives the world differently. While the sound of the wind might be comforting to you, the way it touches and caresses her skin might mean more to someone else.
So while I love the scent of autumn, let’s not forget the crunch of dried leaves beneath my feet, or the beautiful mosaic of reds, oranges, and yellows they make in the drive. Or the brittle feel of a leaf as you trace its patterns. And how about the taste of crab apples freshly fallen to the ground?
Yes, I love the scent of autumn, but the scent alone would make a hollow world. We need the sights, sounds, and tastes as well.
Autumn is a great time for a good book as well. What have you been reading lately?
Or listening to?
If you like Audible, don’t forget Jareth, First Lord and Viviane, First Lady are on Audible.
Autumn is here!
Enjoy!
Mellie's Books 