Home / Arts and Entertainment / Synaesthesia: Author Smells Colors, Writes Sensory Worlds
Synaesthesia: Author Smells Colors, Writes Sensory Worlds
5 Apr
Summary
- Author Joanne Harris experiences synaesthesia, linking colors to specific scents.
- Certain shades of red evoke the scent of chocolate for the author.
- Her writing style is deeply influenced by sensory impressions like colors and scents.
Author Joanne Harris revealed that her synaesthesia causes colors to trigger distinct scents. At the recent York Chocolate Festival, she explained that seeing certain colors can evoke specific smells, a phenomenon that significantly impacts her writing. For instance, the color red often smells like chocolate to her. This unique sensory perception, where colors are linked to scents, inspires her to incorporate vivid sensory details into her novels, making them highly immersive.
Harris, known for her bestselling novel "Chocolat," discussed how this condition influences her narrative style. She aims to engage readers by employing numerous sensory impressions in her work, mirroring how individuals naturally perceive the world. The York Chocolate Festival, a five-day event celebrating cocoa heritage, provided the backdrop for her discussion. The festival also supports Chocolate & Co, a cafe offering second chances to those overcoming addiction and social exclusion.
