My daughter is always saying how much she loves fall. I have mixed feelings about fall. I always hate for summer to end, but in years past I always had my children's sport activities to look forward to. I loved watching my boys play football, my third son running cross-country and my daughter play field hockey. But it also meant school started and I would have to go back to work. This year, fall is giving me mixed emotions again.
I'm looking forward to starting this last year of my teaching career. The pillars of public education are changing and quickly. Some of it is good, some of it is really, really bad. The school I work at is a great school, doing well on all the standardized tests and preparing students for the next level. I'm proud to have been part of it. But I'd rather stay at home and write. I'm not completely done with sports as my oldest son is now coaching the high school team and I always attend a lot of events to support my students. Kids notice when their teachers are there. It matters to them. But next fall, I'll be home writing.
This fall is also when my last child, my mini-me daughter, heads way off to college. Seven hours will separate us. Ouch.
But back to my first paragraph. The seasonal weather pays a big part in that book. In medieval times, a harsh winter could bring a war to a frozen halt. Weather and the change of seasons can be an important device for setting the emotion and raising the tension or suspense in a scene.
Have you ever read a novel where it never rains, never snows and all the days are set in the perfect temperate climate? Do most novels seem to take place in summer? What seasons do you use in your writing? What season is your personal favorite time of year?
19 comments:
I'm sure I've read a few, but I can't think of any off the top of my head. The only one I can think of is... my WIP. Oh no! *Flies off to add some rain because some parts are set in England and the perfect climate would just be weird.*
I often forget the weather in my novels and was something I had to think about with Insane Reno, when I realised I hadn't said to much about it, and considering its setting on the moors where the weather can change drastically in a matter of moments, it could of done with a bit more focus, something to think about more in the future. A nice reminder too as I am working on Annie the prequel to Insane Reno at the moment. :)
Thank you for sharing! I feel somewhat the same about the change of seasons, a tinge of sadness that summer's disappearing and the resignation that comes with accepting fall.
Yes, I've read books where birds never stop chirping, LOL! They're usually books in the Tudor or Medieval period. Still, I read along, duh!
Not too many seasons on a spaceship. The second book was set on a planet, but the setting was desert, so it was hot with thunderstorms.
My favourite season is Spring, when everything here starts to bloom. I like seeing the trees become green and what perennials will come back.
I love the colours of autumn and the hint of coolness but it also reminds me of the starkness of winter. (and the west coast of Canada doesn't get the harsh winters of the rest of our country).
Enjoyed your post.
I forgot to answer your question - my novel just finished is in space, so no seasons come into play.
My favorite book where the season plays a huge role is Ethan Frome.
I did include seasons and weather in all of my WIPs. Maybe I'm doing something right?
My own book, that is being shopped now, is called "Winter's Discord" and it takes place in the southern hemisphere of a pretty temperate world where there is little fluctuation in the seasons, even though the seasons are a motif in my story. (In my mind, the world is more of an ocean planet with very few large landmasses.) The main setting of the action is what would be the climate equivalent to southern tip of Florida, so there isn't much "winter" in the book.
A lot of my other works take their cues from where I live: upstate New York, so lots of fluctuations in temperature.
My fave season is fall as well. I love Halloweeen and Thanksgiving, plus a break from the muggy hot summers are always welcome. Also the kids go back to school and I get my writing time back. YAY!!
Hope you have a great year this year and many good wishes to your mini-me. I'm sure it's heartbreaking and exciting at the same time. :)
The storyline in all five of my fiction books span several years, so showing seasons was necessary.
Fall is pretty, but there's a lot of sadness tied to that season for me.
Sounds like most of you have considered the weather and the seasons.
Winter is a sad season for me, L. Diane. I have trouble appreciating the sparkling white.
I tend to like summer or spring. Probably because I get cold very easily! Changing seasons in a book can really add to the "atmosphere" of a book, but I tend to forget about the seasons.
I like the idea of including weather into the dramatic effect of a story. I'll have to remember that.
Good luck to your mini-me. College is such an exciting time.
Take care. =)
Fall is my favorite season, and most of my books take place then. I love the cool weather and, oh, the colors!
Winter. Winter. Winter. Snow. Snow. Snow. A fire in the fireplace, a cozy quilt, hot spiced wine, and a good book. Tromping through the drifts. Feeding the birds. Snow angels. Skiing. Yes, definitely winter!
I am most definitely a Summer girl but I'm liking Fall now that we have the Pumpkinfest here which is quite fun. The book THE GIVER had no seasons, just sameness every day. My latest takes place in a single week in the middle of April.
I think I'd like Winter better if I didn't HAVE to go out in it :)
Sounds like this autumn will bring a lot of changes for you! I do love autumn - I'm a routine-oriented girl. :)
I'm interested in Seasons of War, Sue. It's your work, right? It sounds intriguing.
Enjoy this final year teaching. The best that you can. My final year (thus far, because no schools around here are hiring right now) was stressful. I had a difficult pregnancy, a very difficult student (violent to self and others) and an impossible parent. Though not the parent of the difficult student. It was my tenth year teaching and the worst one of the decade.
As for seasons and weather in my writing, I think I use it pretty well, but haven't thought to use it to section my story like you. What a great idea!
Send your mini-me a letter and a care package full of Central PA goodies. Lebanon bologna, whoopie pies, Tasty Cakes. Though she's in Boston, so she can probably get those. Maybe some nice PA apples from a local orchard.
I'm not overly sentimental about any particular seasons, but for practical reasons of better temperatures I lean toward fall and spring. I like to write about rain.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
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