when you are writing a scene in your story, how do you describe the weather? There are many ways to set a scene and weather can be a key element. I spoke about setting a scene before in an earlier blog post I’ve done. But I didn’t go into detail on the importance of the weather.
So there are four seasons of course but depending on the area those seasons could mean different weather. In most places Winter may mean cooler temperatures, maybe even snow. However, in some places the temperature is cooler than summer but they never see snow. Well in others the temperature can drop well below zero.
If you live in places where you’ve seen the temperature dip below 10 degrees and even below zero at times than you know the colder it gets doesn’t always mean snow. In fact there are times in the Winter where we’ve welcomed colder temperatures to get away from the possibility of more snow.
My point is that you need to figure out your location first. Whether it is fictional but based in a certain region, or a current city or state. Once you decide on location. Does it have four traditional seasons? Meaning, Spring that brings rain and slightly warmer temperatures, Summer that can be vary warm, Fall that rains and cools down to prepare for colder weather, and Winter where it Snows and can get really cold. Or is it a different climate altogether?
Once you figure that out then you can decide what seasons will transpire in your story. How many months or seasons will pass. What obstacles may that cause for your characters?
- Do they get trapped in their car on the side of the road because of an accident caused by icy roads?
- Do they almost hydroplane?
- What about a date gone wrong because they got rained out? Or a wedding, party etc.
- Does she meet the man of her dreams drenched by the rain and was self conscious because she was so attracted to him and her mascara was running down her face?
- Does a tornado effect a neighborhood and it is a story of a valiant effort to save someone who ends up being a significant character in the story?
- Is it a story of survival? In rough weather hot or cold?
- Does your character suffer through a heat wave, and go to the beach to discover a secret portal to another world?
The possibilities for weather to effect a story are endless. I refuse to believe that a character in a story never experiences any obstacles due to weather. It is a part of our everyday lives. I mean most of us wake up and immediately check the forecast to determine how our day will go.
Then finally you can start describing the weather…
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
| The brisk morning sent a chill up my spine. | Muggy and miserable was the only way to describe a day without air conditioning. | I could hear the water splashing on the road as we drove through town. | The birds chirped happily as the sun was melting the snow making way for the brown grass to show. |
| It rained for days making the grass green, but so muddy that you would sink the second you stepped off of the sidewalk. | Looming black clouds swirled overhead as we heard the siren warning us to take cover. | Freezing rain pelted our coats as we watched the kids run up to get their candy. | It was so cold that I could feel the snow start to freeze on my eyelashes. |
| The smell of a spring rain filled my nose making me anxious for summer. | Sweat dewed on my brow as the sun refused to have mercy on my burning skin. | The cool morning air, the sun shining and the leaves changing made for a beautiful day. | A heavy snow made it impossible to see anything passed the porch, as the blizzard blanketed the area. |
| Sunlight shined through the window warming my face in promise that Spring was now in full bloom. | The blacktop always made the sun more intense but we would win this game today. | I could smell the change in the air as fall would soon be leaving us. | The wind caught my breath as the air was so cold it rushed into my nose and mouth causing me to gasp and lift my scarf over my face. |
Of course these are just example but it gives you an idea. You can use your senses what do you see, hear, feel, smell? When you go outside in any kind of weather your senses kick in. If you need inspiration go sit outside for a few minutes and look around, close your eyes listen, smell the air, and finally how does the weather make you feel?
An easy thing to write about is how the weather would make your character feel. How might a humans emotions react to warm weather, or cold weather. In certain weather situations many people get a panicked feeling in their gut for self preservation and protecting others. Some people are exhilarated by the fear of a storm. In the spring do you ever get that overwhelming feeling of starting anew? Like starting a new diet, cleaning/reorganizing your home, starting a new career or goal in life? Does rain make you sad?
Incorporating weather into your story makes the readers relate to the scene. As Humans our lives revolve around what the forecast is for the day. It also determines our mood in many cases. So it is only natural that your character would be effected by the weather as well.
When you need some inspiration go outdoors for a bit. It may or may not inspire you to write about the weather but as Humans we are all connected to nature so it will help to clear your mind to make room for those wonderful and fresh ideas.
Thank you for reading my blog…Until Next Time…JUST KEEP WRITING.
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