Sensory perceptions in writing

[DeMont]

Good morning, again, my dear colleagues (I really must get into the idea of sleeping at night!)

There are certain threads of discussion that I revisit from time to time to keep up with "the conversation". One such thread is "Workshop this plot with me, serial killer picks wrong girl" by joy_of_cooking.
Now I'm never entirely sure how close to topic threads are going to stay so some of the diversions come up as a surprise and cause a chuckle. In this particular thread there came about a "back-and-forth" that ent like this;

@Five_Inch_Heels
"We found her face down in a bathtub covered in chocolate sauce with a banana shoved in her split!"

@Voboy
"Smells.
Use smells. Don't ever forget sensory details in general, but for something like this? Smells."

@Five_Inch_Heels
"Would it smell like a banana split?"

@MrPixel
Five_Inch_Heels said: Would it smell like a banana split?
"A fishy banana split."

For the record, and we are talking about quite a long term record of experience/s (NO boasting intended) I can honestly say that I have never experienced a "fishy" smelling slit. There, I said it! So, when we talk about introducing "sensory perceptions" in a story what sort of "smells/scents/looks/idiosyncrasies and such are we talking about? and, expanding on that, are they absolutely necessary to the make up and development of a story in your opinion?
Curiously and respectfully,
D.

 

[StillStunned]

I usually resort to a fairly general "warm, feminine scent" for *down there*. I might describe a woman's perfume, particularly if she has long hair, but again in general terms: "something floral, with a hint of bergamot". I'll also mention how the scent is enhanced by the warmth of her body.

Outside of sex, I'll devote a few words to particular smells: seawater and dead fish on the docks in a fantasy setting, thyme and rosemary on a parched hilltop, leather and sweat for the city watch.

Sounds can also be useful to make sex scenes more immersive. Gasps, shallow breathing, soft moans, a thick voice, sometimes even a bit of squelching.

Touch is a bit trickier, I find, but perhaps one of the most immersive senses to describe. Smooth skin, body heat, short hairs on her mound, the stubble on his chin, the lines on her shoulders left by her bra, the contrast between her linen skirt and silk knickers, or a silk blouse and a lacy bra, the raised ridge of a scar, the strange sensation of near-touching before his fingertips actually touch her.

What details like these do, I think, is slow down the narrative. This gives the reader more time to place themselves in the moment, and that their engagement. It helps to make them feel part of the scene, rather than just looking on.

 

[Erozetta]

I often describe the smell of food cooking, or do comparisons of familiar things. So "smelled of the sea air" or "a taste reminiscent of a musky pear" would be what I'd go for.

But I have a great visual imagination that goes far beyond visual, so I can recall a very specific touch or sensation and call on that while writing. When I'm writing sensual scenes, I will absolutely model them after my own experiences because I can recall those experiences in vivid sensory detail. I can remember what a particular person's skin tastes and smelled like, how their touch felt, how they had patterns to sensuality and I react on that recall as if it were currently happening, so I can write the experience as though freshly lived.

 

[EmilyMiller]

a "fishy" smelling slit

Sounds like middle schoolers talking to me.

I have a very poor sense of smell, maybe related to nasal inhalers for allergic rhinitis, but whatever. I seldom used to include things about smell in my stories as a result. Then I started collabing with @Djmac1031 who is - let’s say - fond of referring to aromas in his writing. It made me realize I was not using a tool I could use. So now I do include smells (not of fish - even I can smell fish) but I’m essentially winging it most of the time.

 

[Djmac1031]

I'm just gonna go on record and say any story that refers to a woman's vagina and scent as a "fishy smelling slit" would get an immediate One Star from me.

 

[StillStunned]

I'm just gonna go on record and say any story that refers to a woman's vagina and scent as a "fishy smelling slit" would get an immediate One Star from me.

"She smells of sea smells on the seashore..."