It may be cliché now, but when the words were first written they
were brilliant. Because of that brilliance, they've been overused, but the
fact remains, using weather in out stories is a powerful tool.
I sometimes use weather as an event to bring about a turning
point, as a way to set the mood or tone of the story, or as symbolism to
reflect how a character thinks or feels about something in my story.
Weather as an Event
– My favorite example of this in fiction is the storm that strands two unlikely
people and forces them into a circumstance they would never allow otherwise. This
is a fun trope to use in writing that can have all kinds of implications. Soap Operas are notorious for this
trope.
Weather as background
to set the mood or tone – I have often used rain to express sadness or melancholy,
or a bright sunny day to set a happy, lighthearted tone.
Weather as symbolism
– This is my favorite way to use weather. In one of my stories, I used sea storms
to symbolize the conflict that raged within a certain character. The rain, wind
and tossing waves represented the heroine's grief and guilt and mirrored her
own inner turmoil.
How do you use the weather in your stories? Or if you are a
reader how do you like to see it used?
Casea
Major is a writer, philosopher and part-time sexual adventurer (at least in her
own mind). She loves exploring limits and unleashing her imagination to create
worlds of pleasure...and pain.
Come
along for the ride.
And
if the flames get too hot...embrace the burn.
You can find her at her blog: http://caseamajor.wordpress.com/
8 comments:
You want to know why I like this post? Because I believe like you - weather sets the stage. It can add to the emotions or detract from them. You give me much to think about.
Great post.
Thanks, Sheri! I live in Texas and we love our weather down here. LOL
Weather is about to play a big part in my WIP and my heroine just landed in a cyclone. Which was a surprise to me.
Good post. We often forget about the weather - it can add so much atmosphere.
Weather is a very important stage tool that should be used in our writing.
Great post!
Excellent post! Really like the idea of using weather as symbolism. I'm going to try and work that into my writing more. Thanks for sharing!
Oohm Daryl! Sounds great!
Brenda - I love using weather.
Karen - I like using symbolism of all kinds in my stories but weather is fun to use that way. Let me know how it works for you.
Great post and great idea, Casea. I'm trying to go back through my books to see if I used weather for any of these.
I did use it as a device in Only Scandal Will Do to trap the heroine indoors with the hero so they'd have to confront each other.
Not sure if I've used it elsewhere. But thanks for the suggestion! :)
You never really think much about weather in stories, but you're absolutely right that it can be used to reflect a mood.
Great post.
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