Hi 🙂
It’s been a while seen we’ve explored the forest. Today’s topic is skunks. How do skunks connect to writing? When you are writing a story and you want it set in the forest, how do you make it feel real? Do you research it or take a walk and use your observations? I do both and animals are included in that.
I like to use what I see, feel, hear, and taste, especially if the blackberries are ripe, but what about smell? When wildflowers bloom they add a sweet scent, the leaves that have fallen to the ground start to mold and add a mustiness to that setting, but there is another smell—skunk.
They are cute little creatures as they waddle along the forest floor. They are rarely seen because they sleep in their dens during the day. At night, they look for food, insects, small rodents, mushrooms, fruit, pet food, and garbage. We keep water out in the dryer months for all the animals and skunks always show up for that.
Last night I opened my window around midnight for some fresh air. A familiar scent floated in my room, and quickly I realized what it was. I jumped out of bed and shut my window, but the damage had been done. My room now smelled like a skunk. Rose spray did little to cover it.
Why was a little skunk wandering around on a cold damp night after a good soaking rain earlier? And what was it doing under my window? On a hunch, I looked up skunk mating season. Yes, this is the beginning of the season and they are out looking for their mate.
Window shut and a pillow over my head, eventually I went back to sleep, but not after remembering all the times our escaped dog had hunted a skunk down and got sprayed in the face. I was an expert at mixing up skunk wash and the sooner that yellow oil got washed off the better.
Why skunks? Because they can make an interesting layer in a story set in a forest or anywhere they live. What if the family dog got out and was sprayed? Poor James had to drag himself out of bed and wash the dog. Then the next day James would be exhausted after losing a night’s sleep. His important job interview didn’t go well, and it didn’t help that the skunk smell still clung to him. Or what if a skunk was out during the day and came at you? Rabies? What if you were sleeping, and the smell woke you up to find that there was a forest fire approaching? If it hadn’t been for that skunk smell… it saved your life.
What to do if you see one in real life? Back slowly away. No sudden movements. Try to get at least ten feet away or out of their spray zone. And if you are walking your dog, don’t let them chase it or you will have to bathe your dog later and deal with that smell until it goes away.
Yes, even the smelliest of creatures can make their way into a story. How about you? Any skunk stories or similar experiences?
Next week is book reviews!
Embrace your inner child. Take a walk amongst the trees and just be. D. L. Finn
I’ve come across skunks and smelled skunks but I’ve only written one book, a dog book and there were no skunks in it. But to the general topic. I think it is great when author’s either incorporate their own experiences or know a lot or enough about a topic that they bring up. It can really add something to the story. However, when an author bring up a topic that they don’t know much about (but they think they do) and they get facts wrong, it disturbs the flow of the story. It’s an unnecessary hickup. Anyway, I think this post was great advice.
You are very lucky not to have had a dog/skunk experience, Thomas. Our dog, Sara, was attracted to them and always got her in the face. Our other dog, Hermie, knew better. I completely agree that unless you have first-hand knowledge of a subject or researched it throughly, don’t use it. It will pull a reader out when they notice the error.
I recall trying to bath my grandmother’s dog after he had been sprayed by a skunk. It was hilarious. I really should write a story around it. They are so cute, too bad they smell so terrible when they spray.
My husband usually did the bathing, and he would suit up in rain gear and rubber boots so it didn’t get on him, and it was always in the middle of the night. You could smell the dogs’ return, and my husband waited 😉 Then, there was always the look of shame on our pup and time to do fence repair.
Oh man, that sounds really frustrating about the skunk smell coming in through your window. And you didn’t do anything to provoke the skunk!
It was very unpleasant, Dave, and definitely didn’t provoke the little guy or gal. Just passing by
No skunk tales here, but I’ve seen plenty of them. This is a great reminder to include extra senses. I tried to put the sense of smell to the front of one of my releases last year.
It is always a good idea to include all the senses, Craig, and it is easy to forget one.
What a great way to share this analogy to deepen our senses in writing, Denise! Shockingly, I actually like the smell of skunk unless it’s on my dog 🐶 and he hates it. You may have read my skunk
Story on our anniversary and they came out and joined our dinner. That doesn’t mix well with a delicious dinner-:( 😜
Thanks, Cindy. I consider it lucky you like the skunk smell! No, the pups sure don’t like it. Ours used to get a direct face hit and looked miserable. Even after bathing that smell lingered.
Skunks would definitely ruin a dinning experience and make it an unforgettable anniversary. Sometimes real life has better stories than fiction 🙂
Left a comment Denise… I think it’s I. Moderation?
It was in spam, Cindy. Sorry! Should be there now.
No worries!!! ❤️
Skunks are pretty, but their spray can be a problem. Even living in the suburbs, if the next-door neighbor leaves cat food out for feral cats, they are out there every night for a meal.
Yes, leaving cat food attracts attracts skunks, and a few others like raccoons for sure. We found that our years ago trying to feed a feral.
Loved this Denise. And yes, there have been skunks (or what are also know as polecats) in my life. My mother fed a family of skunks that lived under the ramp into our barn when we were growing up. The Mom came out to show off her babies every spring, never sprayed us but let us come near. The only one who suffered was our dog, Jeff, who went way too near and got it. Two baths were not enough.
Thanks, Noelle 🙂 Are poke cats different skunks? I’ve only seen skunks here… or smelled 😉 How nice to have feed the skunks that lived under the ramp and have the honor of getting to see the babies. I think dogs suffer from skunks a lot because they chase them. Even getting that first oil off doesn’t completely rid them of that smell.
We used to live on a heavily wooded 4 acre lot, and we’ve had the dog/skunk experience more than once. LOL
The funniest time, though, was when my daughter who was in Kindergarten came home from school and told me she had a squirrel approach her and she was almost able to touch it. She is has always been one of those people that animals love, but I was horrified. Then, she told me the cute squirrel was black and had a white stripe! LOLOL We had a long talk that day about squirrel/skunk safety. LOL
Dogs and skunks aren’ta good mix for sure, Kymber. Our one dog never seemed to learn no matter how many times she got sprayed. I have a daughter who was like that, too. Our animal whisperer. But never a skunk… lol. Very lucky she didn’t get sprayed. I guess the skunk knew she meant no harm. I always worry about rabies from skunks or the plague with squirrels, but bears call to be pet, know better though 😉
LOL Our black lab got sprayed a few times over the eight years we lived there. I know how that goes, for sure.
The animal whisperers are fascinating. There were several cats outdoors that we left food and water for, and three of them really took to her. They walked her to and from the bus stop every day like clockwork.
They amaze me how the animals are drawn to them. My daughter handles the animals, especially cats, that others can’t, too. Such a gift
Walking in the woods is a great way to gather sensory details. Though “eau de skunk” is one I wouldn’t mind skipping. That skunk must have been just below your window, Denise. We used to have dog/skunk encounters to deal with, but it’s been a while now. The smell is horrible for sure, and it could make for a vivid scene. 🙂
A perfect way to gather sensory details, Diana 🙂 The skunk perfume is one I would love to avoid… lol. I think it had to have been under my window, too. It was checking out what I tossed there from my dust pan. It’s not a good idea, I guess. Never pleasant for us or the dog, but they just can’t seem to resist 🙂
Hi Denise, this is interesting, we don’t get skunks here. I mainly know about skunks because of Pepe le Phew from Warner Brothers.
Pepe is good fun, Robbie. There is something about dogs and skunks. I have only seen them at night when I had our trail camera up, but I smell them often!
Great topic, Denise. Everyone has a skunk story, don’t you think? I’ve read in my Mountain Man books that those hardy folk ate skunk, but no one has explained how they managed to do that without the stink.
Thanks, Jacqui 🙂 If they live near skunks, they sure seem to have a story. I can’t imagine eating a skunk, but maybe they shot them? Then I guess you’d have to remove the glands. I’d have to be awfully hungry to consider that. I think I’d prefer pine cones over that… lol
First, I think that smell is an often overlooked sense by many writers. It helps readers feel like they are there.
One year, I had skunks living under my classroom (they got through the air vent screens), and when they sprayed, the odor would waft into the room. It was bad, but second graders can be overdramatic and acted like they were about to die. 🤣
I think so, too, Pete:) It does bring the story to life. You are right.
That is too funny about the skunks getting under the classroom. Although, I’m sure I would have been one of those complaining… lol
You’ve brought back some memories, Denise. My brothers liked to taunt skunks, and we had several intrusions on the farm. One day they weren’t so lucky – and by default, the rest of us suffered as well. What a mess! I hadn’t thought about including a skunk in a story, but the little creatures could add drama. 😄
Yes, I could see that one day the skunk would get them. Oh dear, that would be horrible for everyone around them and almost impossible to get out of clothes. Skunks can definitely add a little drama for sure, Gwen.
I came home late from work one night. I opened my car door and hit a skunk on the backside. You guessed it he sprayed me and the interior of the car. I went inside and stripped off my clothes and being dead tired I slipped into bed. The only question I got was a sleepy,”Have you been drinking?” Had to get rid of the car since no matter what was done the hot sun triggered that smell again.
The timing on that was one in a million to open your door into a skunk! I can imagine that smell would never leave a car, and I had to laugh at the only question.
I know right. I suppose I smelled like I was drunk as a skunk.
LOL
😁
Nope never wrote in a skunk, at least the four-legged variety. Heh. Helpful post. Thanks for writing it.
xo
Lol…the four-legged are at least cute. I am happy to share my smelly experience. Xo
Oh, the dreaded skunk odor. It lingers like nothing else. I’ve never thought about including a skunk in any of my stories, but now you’ve got me thinking.
Yes, it is dreaded! Our neighbor’s got hit, and then it snowed. The smell stayed in the snow wherever he went. There are so many possibilities with the little skunk in a story.
Skunks Misery is mentioned in my current novel-in-progress, but not actual skunks. (Skunks Misery is in Franklin, Vermont. When I was in high school, one of our teachers lived there and had a thriving marijuana-growing business. I have no idea if the marijuana part is true.)
I like that name, Liz 🙂 Yes, there is one with a very similar scent.
Skunks are so pretty! We had a mama birth four kits under our house last year. They ventured out when the babies got old enough. Little, cute fur ball kits!
I have never gotten to see a baby skunk in the wild. I know my heart would melt, Priscilla!
I think skunks are adorable, but I’ve never been sprayed. No dogs that have been sprayed, but we have a cat. If Bond saw a skunk, he might think it was a weird-looking cat, lol. I love that you leave water out for the animals, Denise.
They are pretty darn cute. I’m not sure what our cats would think of a skunk, but at least the ones who used to go outside never got sprayed. Yes, I make sure the animals have water, especially in the drought years. Makes for good animals watching.
Hi Denise, fortunately, none of our dogs have been sprayed, so I can only imagine! Skunks are cute though, aren’t they? They have visited our neighborhood, and I’ve smelled them :), but I’ve never been up close and personal to one for which I am thankful. But the forest does provide so much inspiration for writing. 🩷
I’m glad your dogs have never been sprayed, Lauren 🙂 Yes, very cute but so smelly! I’ve never been up close either. I just smelled them, too. Yes, so much inspiration, but I think inspiration is all around us in different forms. Xo
Two years ago we had a skunk family who lived in the field behind our house. One day when my husband and I were sitting on our back porch in the evening, the mother waddled by with her babies trailing her. They were a good distance away, so no fear of being sprayed. They were so cute to watch.
How lucky you got to see Mama and Babies waddle by from a safe distance, Mae 🙂
Skunks are awfully cute, aren’t they? And they certainly have a grand protection mechanism for sure.
Hope your day has been fun and creative:) xo
They really are and gave a unique way of keeping those predators away. Thank you, Sandra. I hope the same for you. Xo
For some reason, I always assumed skunks hibernate over the winter, but your mating info makes me smile. Bambi’s Flower, anyone? 🙂
They will sleep in what they call torpor during really cold or heavy snows but are very active rest of winter 🙂 Yes, Flowers was so cute! Xo
I love your take on skunks. I love skunks. We have skunks on our property and I have quite a bit of interaction with them over the years. I had a nice conversation with one in the infinite shed of doom in July 2022. A year ago, our cat, Spunk, got sprayed by a skunk and I had to sleep with a stinky cat. I wrote and recorded song about it called Sleeping With A Stinky Cat.”
They are sure cute and are good to have around other than the smell, Timothy. Never had any of our kitties get hit by a skunk so far… i love it became a song, very fitting.
Cat’s clean themselves up after getting sprayed, so by morning Spunk no longer smelled of skunk. You can listen to the song at https://soundcloud.com/user-334086053/sleeping-with-a-stinky-cat if you like.
It is very helpful they are self cleaning I agree. Thank you, I will listen.
I enjoyed that, Timothy. Couldn’t leave a comment 🙂
I should have given you the link to the post: https://wp.me/p1yQyy-8TW
Love the little bear on the opener pic. scoxox
I enjoyed your thoughts here, Denise. Yes, smell is a powerful trigger in writing. (Sorry for my absence. For some reason, my computer is having trouble loading your blog. WP gremlins again, no doubt.) Big hugs.
Thanks, Teagan:) It’s very powerful in writing. I think many of us have been dealing with those gremlins. My website was down for a while, and I have issues commenting at times, too. Big hugs back
Knock on wood—I’ve never seen or known anyone who has seen or been sprayed by one. What an event that is! I feel bad hearing your story about skunks here.
So, I have a story percolating for a while now. It involves a hurried walk through the forest at night —and since I’ve no experience with skunks including that never occurred to me. Wow. This is a wonderful idea.
Your posts are so full of great ideas Ms. Finn. Thank you 💕 and bless you too.
I hope you never have to experience that smell of a skunk, Selma. It’s hard to live with, even if it is dealt with until it fades away. I love the idea of a hurried walk through the woods at night. There are so many ideas around us,just waiting for us to notice. I look forward to what you come up with for that story! Xo