Monday, November 7, 2016

Writing about the seasons of the year




A reader asked me why I write about the different seasons of the year. Until I was asked this question I had no idea I did it. But I do. So…

I have two stories set at Christmas. One is a short MM story about two men who meet while rehearsing for a Christmas musical presentation (“Noticing Nigel”). Most of the action takes place inside, but there is mention that it’s cold, but fine, when they leave the conference center for lunch.

The other story, also an MM, (“Perfectly Presented”) involves shopping for gifts for disadvantaged children. The weather is very cold, but not snowing.

I have one story set at midsummer (“Turning Up the Heat”). The hot weather is very much part of the plot of that story, and the fact that an air-conditioner is running all day. I have another story set on summer vacation at the beach (“The Beach Boys: Summer” http://www.bookstrand.com/the-beach-boys-summer). The heat is not mentioned, but they swim, so it’s obviously not cool.

In the "Elinor's Stronghold" series (http://www.bookstrand.com/pillaging-elinors-castle) the winter is an integral part of the plot arch for the four books, but since they take place over a couple of years, winter itself doesn't get to be the hero (or villain) in any one book.

But all the rest of my books? I confess the weather is usually fine if the characters are outdoors. It may not be warm, but it’s not too cold to go walking, and it never seems to snow.

Clearly I’m missing some of the seasons. I obviously need to think of the possibilities of what characters could do on a cold, snowy day. Likely, they wouldn’t be shoveling the walk!

I do like to use the scents of being outdoors. The sweet smell of flowers, the enticing aroma of barbecue wafting across the air, and the refreshing sensation of a cool breeze on sweaty skin after some hot outdoor sex. The Botanical Gardens play a part in several of my stories (the "Spicy Love" series) and my love for the water is seen in the fact that several books are set at the beach ("The Beach Boys") or involve swimming pools, hot tubs, or even a river. Hmm. A river. I'm sure I could have fun with another one of those. And maybe a waterfall...



Berengaria Brown’s links:
Blog: http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/
Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/berengaria-brown
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Berengaria-Brown/e/B00541R3YQ/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/berengaria.brown?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BerengariaBrown
ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Berengaria+Brown

2 comments:

  1. Good point about weather, Berengaria. If I choose setting that's notoriously rainy but want some clear weather for my story, I make certain to stage the events during the lull in weather.

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  2. That's one of the reasons why so many of my stories are set in Ohio.
    Berengaria

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