The Weather
“Everybody talks about it, but nobody does anything
about it.”
The weather is on everyone’s mind. A dark, rainy morning brings
depression. Sunshine speaks happiness. A spring shower washes away sins and heralds
a new life. Snow transforms the world into a winter wonderland. A blizzard
spells danger. A tornado spins ill will.
Weather goes with the territory. Place the story in
Seattle, Washington, and be aware it rains over 200 days a year. Characters feel
light rain when they walk out their front doors. Everyone talks about a sunny
day. Windshield wipers slap on car windows. Umbrellas go with their owners on
trips.
Write a tale of London in the 19th century and be certain
of foggy streets and cloudy days. The fact the “foggy city” used coal to heat
its homes and businesses until the mid-20th century compounded its murky
climate. Billowing clouds above cobblestone pavements and dim alleys create an
ambiance of dread and unknown.
Imagine a freak blizzard dumping snow on an isolated
mansion in the country, stranding a dozen people for days. Then someone is
murdered, but who did it? With no one in or out of the house, it has to be one
of them. This was the plot in my book Penelope and The Birthday Curse.
Setting
Weather is an integral part of the setting, becoming an element
blended into its description. Rain beats on window panes. Snow fills roads. A
sunny day raises the temperature, and a cloudy day may drop it. Consider how weather
affects your mystery story’s location.
Characters
Physical: characters put on extra clothing for the cold and
shed garments for the heat. They carry umbrellas in the rain. Apparel gets wet
in a downpour. Too much sun burns the skin. Wind musses hair. Consider reactions
to the elements.
Psychological: weather influences mental states. On blustery, dreary winter days, people
become depressed. Summer sunshine makes them happy. When in love, they dance in
the rain. Thunder and lightning frighten them. Consider the characters’
feelings and attitudes toward the weather.
Plot
Weather has a direct bearing on the storyline. Snow
closes roads and strands people. Winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes destroys homes
and kills people. Summer heat and lack of rain leads to fires. The effects of the
weather direct the plots course.
Symbolism
Weather represents many things. A pending storm on the
horizon means something bad is coming. Rain signifies a change or cleansing. Lightning
striking may mean judgment or warning. The symbols can represent a turning
point in the story. Consider using weather to flag an important event.
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