In this episode, we kick off a five-part mini-series on the Five Senses by diving into the "air" of your story: Smell. We explore "petrichor"—the blood of the stone—and why scent is the ultimate storyteller's shortcut to the human nervous system.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Blood of the Stone: Breaking down the ancient Greek roots petra (stone) and ichor (ethereal fluid of the gods) to understand why this word evokes a sense of wonder and transformation.
The Amygdala Connection: Why scent is the only sense that bypasses mental filters to strike the emotional heart of the brain, making it the most powerful tool for triggering a character's memory.
Anchoring the Scene: Techniques for using petrichor to build tension, ground internal monologues, and create sharp contrasts between sterile urban settings and the raw, earthy relief of a breaking storm.
What specific scent in your story triggers a memory for your protagonist?
Subscribe for more episodes and to join me for the rest of our five-part series on the senses!
