Being new here to M&M, I’m feeling the pressure to provide an informative yet entertaining post. Since subbing in for Liz on Monday, I’ve struggled through a crazy work week trying to think of a topic. While I received great ideas from a couple fabulous writer friends, I just wasn’t feeling it. And then without warning, the idea came to me literally on a breeze.
As I walked down the street, I caught the scent of something utterly intoxicating. I turned my head and realized it was the cologne of the hot little college guywho’d just walked by me. The scent lingered with me as I continued on my way. Oh yeah, I went there, people. For a brief moment, I was taken back in time to when I was 18 and all the guys wore some form of Polo or Brut. We’d give anything to put on their jacket or sweatshirt just-to-smell them!!! Siiiigh…
And all of this got me thinking about the senses and emotions we put into our stories. These things have to come from somewhere and I truly believe we pull from our own experiences, even if we don’t realize it. I mean, I am a HUGE lover of perfume. I have my favorites and one in particular that I consider to be my signature scent. And yes, I’m just romantic enough to fantasize that someone might just smell my perfume and be taken back to a great memory they had with someone special, or that someone might even think of ME when they catch that scent on the breeze. That’s what great romantic stories are made of…pure emotion!
But smells are only half of it. Have any of you ever had a Deja Voo moment? Been somewhere or driven past someplace and you KNOW you’ve been there before? OMG, this happens to me A LOT. So it’s not just memories of places I know I’ve been recently or a long time ago with friends, family, etc… But it’s that feeling of knowing you’ve been there, yet you can’t remember when or with whom – you just KNOW. Sometimes it’s kind of creepy, but most of the time I’m romantic enough to concoct some fantasy in my head about what I could have been doing there and with whom. See? There’s a reason why I write.
Even music can play its role in making us remember either good times or bad. Music tells its own story and I love my music. I do make playlists for my stories, and I have special playlists that remind me of certain times in my life. It’s very touching and bittersweet. And it never fails, I can be in the car and hear a song on the radio. You know the one I mean. The song that makes you think of the love of your life – and you smile. Or even the one that makes you think of the really crazy thing you did (like get drunk and sleep in the middle of a field with a bunch of friends and then somehow remember to catch a ride with someone at the crack of dawn because you have to babysit at 7 AM) Or even the fun you had singing karaoke with your peeps. Ahhh, music, it's everywhere!
And why the Hmmm??? Because the things that MAKE us go Hmmm I think can really get the ball rolling for a great story. On occasion I've used a few of those moments in my writing.
So what particular smell, item, song, etc…takes you back and makes you go – Hmm??? And have you used it in a story? I've got my coffee ready, so spill it!
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13 comments:
Hmm, to decide which ones....
One of the strongest song memories that I remember off-hand is Louis Armstrong's 'what a wonderful world'. It was played at a friend's funeral. Six months later at another friend's wedding, the song was played and three of us immediately bolted for the washroom so we wouldnt upset everyone else. Funny thing was, we'd all left different tables, not even realizing that the other was affected until we wound up together.
Frying onions with a hint of hamburger, corn, and cotton candy bring a wave of Fair nostalgia.
Perfumes, I used to love, and I still remember my mom's when she'd be all dolled up for a party. She'd smell so good when kissing us goodnight before they left.
Now, however, perfumes just mean that a migraine will probably ruin my day. (darned allergies!)
oh and the best one! Herbal Essence, the original shampoo.... first kiss. yum. the smell of that stuff still makes my toes curl!
Herbal Essence first kiss and toes curling :-) You made me smile, Katt.
You have such great memories and so does Barbie. Funny how I can't think of a scent or music right now. Does that mean I don't have memories or maybe not enough coffee.
Hmmm, Old Spice makes me think of my dad, but that's about it. Oh wait, Old Time Rock and Roll makes me think of roller skating every weekend. The backward skate and ladies choice :-) We'd save our allowance just for that.
I guess I do have some memories triggered by music and scents, I just have to be awake enough to think of them.
Great post, Barbie :-) Thanks for taking us down memory lane.
This is strange, but whenever I smell fingernail polish, I'm taken back to when I was a little girl. I thought fingernail polish was the greatest thing on earth. That smell instantly transports me.
Great memories, Katt! You brought up the original Herbal Essence and I'm thinking of my teenage boys and their Axe sprays. Someday some girl is going to remember it! LOL.
Kari...you need to get out more! No, I'm just kidding! I think you're just in super-mom mode all the time and need more "You" time in order to reflect....My reflection/quiet/me-time happens while I'm on the morning drive to work.
Wait...do I smell another writing retreat???? YES,YES,YEEEES!!!! (That's my Herbal Essence tribute for the day) Because I've had waaay too much coffee.
Anita - finger nail polish is a good one too. When I see an AVON book I'm always transported back. My Aunts, Mom, Grandma all used to order stuff from Avon. And a true red lipstick will always remind me of my Grams. I actually still have a tube of Este Lauder lipstick that was hers. it's too red for me, but I can't part with it. ;-)
Great post! I love lilacs. Not lilac perfume but the real deal. I remember curling up in an ancient bent lilac bush- actually almost a tree and reading for hours. I was so sure no one could ever find me--all 50 feet from our house.
Cassy, Lilacs are my FAVORITE!!!!! Love the smell, love the look...and love the memories they will hold in me forever.
When we landscaped the house, I made sure I have lilac bushes by the front porch. Eventually I'd like a tree in the backyard.
Hmm, the scent of Royal Copenhagen weakens more than my knees. I was nineteen attending my first college dance. Journey was singing “Open Arms,” and this tall drink of water asked me to dance. I’d never seen him before. I nodded, and he took me into my arms. I told him he smelled good and, man, did he ever. We had one of those long searching looks you read about, where time seems to stop, and then he kissed me. I didn’t even know his name! I hated girls who kissed in public. What followed was a hot and heavy make out scene that moved from the dance floor to the bench seat of his truck. We’ll be married twenty-five years come this November.
Great post, Barbie Jo! Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I think I'm going to put Journey on the stereo.
Ahh Tiffinie you've got me grinning like a fool! I LOVE it!!! What a story!! And damn, girl, I'm hoping you relive that scene in one of your books! How HOT and steamy is that??!!??
and Journey?? Oh yeah, there are some MmmHmmm moments for sure!!!
I think I need to take a moment...LOL.
For me it's music. To be more specific- John Michael Montgomary's 'I Swear'. Now when I hear it I tear up. It was my late wife and mine wedding forst dance song.
Lindsey, that is precious! and I love that song! And you should tear up..(I certainly would, too) what a beautiful memory.
Thanks you Barbie Jo.
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