tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post2771602806257372088..comments2024-03-10T10:34:02.181+02:00Comments on The Alliterative Allomorph: You can't smell a colour? Why? (+ new contest winner!)Jessica Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-26194786300015153412010-06-10T15:08:16.839+03:002010-06-10T15:08:16.839+03:00EVERYONE told you to take it out?! I say leave it...EVERYONE told you to take it out?! I say leave it in; it makes for a gripping hook of words to keep your readers thinking. There's a point in one of my drafts where I talk about "Two cymbals of light clashed before his eyes." Cymbals aren't made of light, nor do they produce sensations detected by eyes. Yet I used the narrative to express the character's sense of confusion at that point in the story.<br /><br />Again - KEEP IT IN!Dr. Mohamedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13673867214475179890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-75797898692275669362010-06-03T15:33:24.326+03:002010-06-03T15:33:24.326+03:00Yes! That's the one. Thanks, Jess. ;DYes! That's the one. Thanks, Jess. ;DVictoria Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14012092208934951963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-87108921011315008902010-06-03T08:45:40.958+03:002010-06-03T08:45:40.958+03:00And p.s. To Victoria Dixon: I think that condition...And p.s. To Victoria Dixon: I think that condition is called synesthesia. Fascinating stuff, eh?Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16496310224885631202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-20246391920600142102010-06-03T08:44:33.415+03:002010-06-03T08:44:33.415+03:00Smelling red makes me think of Christmas. Like cin...Smelling red makes me think of Christmas. Like cinnamon and cranberries. Mmmm....<br /><br />Congrats to Mary McDonald, and I LOVE the cover! So great!Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16496310224885631202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-15758026437995493852010-05-30T02:44:39.262+03:002010-05-30T02:44:39.262+03:00Actually, there is an unusual condition in which t...Actually, there is an unusual condition in which the senses can become confused. I forget what the condition's called, but blue can taste. Middle C can smell, etc. I've envied the sensual input such people gain, but it's probably confusing sometimes, too. LOL I love the idea of red having a scent or taste. To me, it would be cinnamon, which is strange since cinnamon is brown. I think my reaction is because I hate red hots and cinnamon. LOLVictoria Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14012092208934951963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-82621909107837438472010-05-29T00:12:27.645+03:002010-05-29T00:12:27.645+03:00Be a rebel! Leave it in there!!
When I think of r...Be a rebel! Leave it in there!!<br /><br />When I think of red, I think desire, passion...it smells like sex?! <br /><br />Love the cover!angelarenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13639436719051155045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-90507652736254023182010-05-28T21:24:53.231+03:002010-05-28T21:24:53.231+03:00It could be red hot cinnamon, I think... Amen, sis...It could be red hot cinnamon, I think... Amen, sister! I love poetic licensing and feel that everyone should have one in their wallet or purse, don't you???<br /><br />GrrrrElizabeth Muellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06028099814857743134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-67476095314860519982010-05-28T21:07:31.088+03:002010-05-28T21:07:31.088+03:00AlliAllo ~
Hmmm... That's really neat how we a...AlliAllo ~<br />Hmmm... That's really neat how we are able to associate colors with letters so easily and yet we arrive at those colors in very different ways.<br /><br />Your reasons for S and T make sense, and yet you come at them in a kind of oblique fashion. You get the color for U in a classic but fairly detailed "image association" manner. Interesting!<br /><br />I think you arrive at letter colors in a more conscious way than I do; my approach seems to originate more in the subconscious. In most cases, I really couldn't offer any explanation for why I think a letter is a certain color. I would answer, "It just is". Possibly I'm making similar associations but doing so at a level below my awareness.<br /><br />I think your explanation for Z being Black is also quite interesting. Although I didn't say so before, considering that 3 out of 4 of us ascribed Black to that letter, I also wondered if we were making a "Zorro" association.<br /><br />~ "Lonesome Dogg" McD-FensStephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-11607648687394673412010-05-28T20:10:07.453+03:002010-05-28T20:10:07.453+03:00Stephen: How interesting is you interpretation!!! ...Stephen: How interesting is you interpretation!!! LOVE it!<br /><br />Ok, here's my logic (or imagination)<br />A = grey (because there is a line, stuck in between two other lines, which to me represents grey storm clouds on a hot day clogging up the atmosphere and making me feel trapped.<br /><br />R = maroon (wow - this is like yours! LOL - because R reminds me of purring and purring has a wholesome snuggling up on the couch sound)<br /><br />S = yellow (becasue it made me think of a sour lemon)<br /><br />T = lime green (becasue it made me think of a tangy lime)<br /><br />U = olive green (because you can sit inside this, like on a swing, and when I was a kid I used to make swings that hung from olive trees)<br /><br />V = orange (have not idea, first colour that came to me. I think I associate citrus colours with vexation, because of the way the sourness makes your throat constrict)<br /><br />X = cream/tan (because it reminds me of the shape I make in a newly opened can of paint with a stick when I begin to mix it. And the most common colour to paint walls with is either off-white or cream.)<br /><br />Z = black (makes me think of a dark superhero - perhaps 'zoro' :)Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-56945012870197068832010-05-28T19:49:03.005+03:002010-05-28T19:49:03.005+03:00OK, I’m back.
Obviously, there are no right or wro...OK, I’m back.<br />Obviously, there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to ascribing colors to letters of the alphabet; each person will perceive things in their own individual way. But here are the colors I associate with these letters:<br /><br />A: Red<br />R: Deep Red<br />S: Yellow<br />T: Medium Grey<br />U: Orange<br />V: Blue<br />X: Black<br />Z: Black<br /><br />Here’s the collective perception:<br />A: Red, Grey, Yellow (2)<br />R: Red (4) <br />S: Yellow (2), Red, Blue<br />T: Grey, Green, Blue, Brown<br />U: Orange (2), Green, Gray<br />V: Blue, Orange, Purple, Green<br />X: Black (2), Cream/Tan, Silver, <br />Z: Black (3), White<br /><br />Now if I break it down into just two categories, hot and cool colors:<br />A: Hot – 3 / Cool – 1<br />R: Hot – 4<br />S: Hot – 3 / Cool – 1<br />T: Cool – 4<br />U: Hot -2 / Cool – 2<br />V: Hot – 1 / Cool – 3<br />X: Hot – 2 / Cool – 2<br />Z: Hot – 1 / Cool – 3<br /><br />It’s quite possible that some of our associations are word related. For instance, Did “R” score 4 “Reds” because Red begins with R? Did “S” score 2 “Yellows” because we think of the Sun – which begins with the letter S – as yellow? Maybe. <br /><br />But there are plenty of letters for which I strongly ascribe colors although I am unaware of any word associations.<br /><br />I would say A: Red; B: Green; C: Blue; D: Brown; E... <br />E is a tougher one for me to find the color. Sometimes I sense a letter’s color powerfully – like “D” is definitely Brown for me – and other times the color is vague and I really have to search to find it. E is like that for me; there are multiple colors that I could probably convince myself are appropriate for E.<br /><br />But what I find odd is that when I use “e” in the word “grey” it absolutely imparts to the word the color grey. Most Americans spell that color “gray”, while the British usually write it “grey”. Although I’m American, for as long as I can remember, I have spelled that word with an “e” solely because when I do, in my mind, it turns the word “grey” the very color that the word is supposed to represent. Whereas if I were to spell the word “gray”, like most other Americans do, now my mind perceives the word as a hot color – yellow or red.<br /><br />Some letters are clear to me: D, H and N are Brown; M is Pink. And although Pink starts with “P”, that letter is Green to me. <br /><br />I have never done this, but I think an interesting experiment would be to go through the entire alphabet, ascribing a color to each letter, and then do it again the next year and the year after that. Do this for 3 to 5 years and then afterwards, compare all of the slips of paper to determine how consistent or inconsistent one’s perception of letters and their colors has remained.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks to those who played along.<br /><br />AlliAllo, now please explain why you chose the colors you did, if you don’t mind.<br /><br />~ “Lonesome Dogg” McD-FensStephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-67853434121780172262010-05-28T12:06:40.406+03:002010-05-28T12:06:40.406+03:00Red reminds me of something strong and sensual, ro...Red reminds me of something strong and sensual, romantic, passion. I would even include incenses in the picture lol<br /><br />And there are people who can actually see smells, and tste colours, I saw it on discovery I think. It ws a series called Super human or something.Clarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00062728322162370588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-78386385218049152442010-05-28T10:52:06.834+03:002010-05-28T10:52:06.834+03:00I imagined the scent was hot and sticky, and the f...I imagined the scent was hot and sticky, and the fact that red had an odor gave it presence, personified it somehow.Shalena @ Writer Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14002148442431475216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-71875329533472090992010-05-28T02:14:50.883+03:002010-05-28T02:14:50.883+03:00My first thought when I read it was blood.
I love...My first thought when I read it was blood.<br /><br />I love the mock cover - it would make me pick it up :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-66021732710746302192010-05-28T01:26:36.650+03:002010-05-28T01:26:36.650+03:00Of course colours have a scent, although some are ...Of course colours have a scent, although some are more obvious than others, I guess. <br /><br />Red, I think, would kind of depend on what shade of red...lighter is more sweet in my mind, darker more spicy...maybe with a hint of chilli.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11046724975658216337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-45257118658684842102010-05-28T01:10:08.127+03:002010-05-28T01:10:08.127+03:00Congratulations, Mary!
If red were a smell, I'...Congratulations, Mary!<br /><br />If red were a smell, I'd think of roses or poppies. But if I weren't thinking the obvious, it was would be a bold, overwhelming scent.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-81274035974379198712010-05-28T00:40:41.793+03:002010-05-28T00:40:41.793+03:00It seems interesting, but I don't think it rea...It seems interesting, but I don't think it really makes sense.<br />I imagine something strong and acrid, but with a hint of a flowery scent.Riv Rehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09385226727864037794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-92213800810152864182010-05-27T22:49:06.196+03:002010-05-27T22:49:06.196+03:00I like that line. I don't see anything wrong ...I like that line. I don't see anything wrong with it, but if, while reading your MS it through me off, I'd ask about it.<br /><br />But there is nothing wrong with the line.<br /><br />So Red, to me, would smell like fire, strawberries, flowers, things like that.Mel Chesleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08200734886454147170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-23174216947620781772010-05-27T22:10:28.746+03:002010-05-27T22:10:28.746+03:00AlliAllo ~
OK, this is super-cool that some others...AlliAllo ~<br />OK, this is super-cool that some others have also decided to play the alphabet/color game as well as your red/scent game.<br /><br />So, I will hold off on revealing my own perceptions of the letter colors until sometime tomorrow after you've posted your idea about the smell of red.<br /><br />I will say, however, that although we are all in stark disagreement on some of the letters, there are others (perhaps more than one might expect by random chance) in which we seem to perceive in the same way.<br /><br />And yes, tomorrow I will definitely want to read the "explanations" of why you went with certain colors. <br /><br />I will say that I find some of the colors of letters easier to discern than others, and I don't believe it is necessarily connected to word associations beginning with that letter. But we'll see tomorrow how it all plays out.<br /><br />This was a really fun Blog Bit idea, AlliAllo.<br /><br />~ "Lonesome Dogg" McD-FensStephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-90252842583231950332010-05-27T22:09:18.670+03:002010-05-27T22:09:18.670+03:00Congrats to Mary!
Smell of red is grossing me ou...Congrats to Mary! <br /><br />Smell of red is grossing me out. It's blood or something really... liver-y.Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-31384585170584791182010-05-27T21:41:03.963+03:002010-05-27T21:41:03.963+03:00That line is perfect. Smelling or tasting color ca...That line is perfect. Smelling or tasting color can definitely happen in real life (synesthesia).<br /><br />A - Yellow<br />R - Red<br />S - Blue<br />T - Brown<br />U - Orange<br />V - Green<br />X - Black<br />Z - WhiteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-82812626517875047342010-05-27T20:49:17.260+03:002010-05-27T20:49:17.260+03:00Smell of red, eh? I think without context that IS...Smell of red, eh? I think without context that IS hard... because in a scary, angry context, it might be blood. In a happier one, maybe cinnamon. Or if not a THING WITH AN ODOR, then maybe anger--aggression.<br /><br />I can think of a lot of smells I would ascribe red to but going the other direction is a little hard...<br /><br />OH! I wanna play this game!<br /><br />A Yellow<br />R Red <br />S Also red<br />T Blue<br />U Gray<br />V Purple<br />X Silver<br />Z Black<br /><br />Do I win? (probably not--my perceptions are wonky)Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-56287927747599196862010-05-27T20:09:24.456+03:002010-05-27T20:09:24.456+03:00Stephen: That's an interesting idea! Ok, lets&...Stephen: That's an interesting idea! Ok, lets's see ...<br />A = grey<br />R = maroon<br />S = yellow<br />T = lime green<br />U = olive green<br />V = orange<br />X = cream/tan<br />Z = black<br />Do you want explanations as to why ?Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-53339878851249817802010-05-27T19:59:14.154+03:002010-05-27T19:59:14.154+03:00AlliAllo ~
Right on!
In my opinion, any truly sen...AlliAllo ~<br />Right on! <br />In my opinion, any truly sensitive and creative person should be able to not only smell colors, but taste them, feel them, and hear them.<br /><br />Now it may not be that every sensitive and creative person is going to interpret all of the colors in exactly the same way, but I'd be willing to bet that there would be surprisingly more uniformity than any non-sensitive and non-creative persons could have ever imagined.<br /><br />For me - without giving this much thought, but spouting it just off the top of my mind - I'd probably describe the color red as being somewhat heavy and dank - on the musty side. Not totally overpowering yet noticeably unpleasant. I could remain in a room that smelled red if need be, but I'm going get out of it for some fresh air at pretty much my first opportunity.<br /><br />Along the same lines, for decades, I have been telling people that letters of the alphabet have colors. Some folks think that's a crazy concept but a lot of other folks agree immediately and have often perceived the letters to have the same or similar colors to what I perceived.<br /><br />Let's try a short test just for the heck of it:<br /><br />Including the so-called "non-colors" white and black, what colors would you ascribe to these letters?<br /><br />A - R - S - T - U - V - X - Z<br /><br />This was a very interesting Blog Bit, AlliAllo. This is the kindza stuffs I dig!<br /><br />~ "Lonesome Dogg" McD-FensStephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-57671237464886821362010-05-27T19:50:50.994+03:002010-05-27T19:50:50.994+03:00hmm. ok well i'm an action junkie so the first...hmm. ok well i'm an action junkie so the first thing that comes to mind is BLOOK! Yikes! But COOL! lol Then Strawberries would pop into my mind, and I'd become hungry. Hmm then bricks... IDK why, it just does. lol. Sorry you can't take my challenge but I understand! :)T.J. Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13916627399622909282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-45015486694379738742010-05-27T19:19:10.616+03:002010-05-27T19:19:10.616+03:00love the book cover!
And just off the top of my h...love the book cover!<br /><br />And just off the top of my head, red smells like roses and blood.Sarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.com