: Re: How do I define smells I have never experienced? I am a lifelong writer, who was also born without an ability to smell. I have been trained to engage the reader by applying the five senses,

@Chiappetta298

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You don't always have to use smell in every scene; if you're doing it to highlight a person, place, or thing then you should do it there only, or you could describe it in other ways without the smell, or it might actually be interesting to just have your main POV character also not have this ability. I don't think I've ever heard a character have this.

But I suppose its not just about highlighting but when do you apply them? I'd say when the smell is key for a central place or to give the reader more emotions towards the place or person in question: you're using the scent, along with sight and any other sense the character can latch onto, to aid in connecting with the reader emotionally to the place.

I have found some items; while not a database like I desired, these do give some specific examples of smells - but you don't need to get this specific:

Wood scents - www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-odor/ Synonyms & antonyms for scent - www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scent Descriptive words for scents - grammar.yourdictionary.com/style-and-usage/descriptive-words-for-scents.html Perfume scent breakdowns for one group - www.auricblends.com/pages/fragrance-descriptions-details

Notice how it's not trying to name say spices specifically on say the wood links; it just says X wood has a lingering sent or X has a pleasing spicy aroma.

For an example, Amber noticed the warm distinct scent of Thyme rising from the chicken broth before she even sipped from her spoon. However, other characters won't notice this as pepper is most strongest over Thyme, so only someone being particularly found of Thyme will say so; others may just smell the pepper. This means Amber is a fan of Thyme spice, but does this really aid plot wise? No. Might it emotionally tie someone to her; maybe, but doubtful.

Now I don't know the fragrances described in that breakdown, but what they are doing is making it sound great - so even though I've never smelt most of those combos, it just makes me go, "maybe I'll try that".

Other things like scented candles are the same. If it isn't titled dirt or apple farms somethings, you will be truly miffed about what does the flavor patriot mean to you? Nothing at the face, could mean it smells Smokey, could mean it smells musty, could mean its smells like gunpowder. No clue: have to buy it and find out. But in this case, who cares? I made up a name that might allow the reader to infer what it smells like to them. So that's the other idea: if you are working in a modern Earth-like setting, just allow the reader to infer unless you need the smell to generate specific emotions in that specific scene for the reader.

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