The Power of Weather

Weather is amazing. I'm constantly in awe at how quickly it can change and how it can make you feel. Weather is indispensable when you're trying to set a mood. 

When you're reading (and writing) a book, the weather around the characters can often alter the way you perceive the scene. 

For instance, in Inkheart, in the very first chapter, it's raining. At first it has a cozy feel, but then Meggie sees a man standing in the yard. Immediately, the tone turn ominous. The rain mixed with the sight of a strange man fills you with dread. Something bad is about to happen. 

Weather can be critical to the feel, and even the plot to a novel. Where would Dorothy and Toto be without the tornado? Still in Kansas. The entire plot depends on that tornado. 

When we think of scary stories, there's almost always a storm. Thunder, coupled with the anxiety and suspense is key in how it makes us feel. 

On the other hand, sunny skies and puffy clouds make us feel that the world is perfect. Nothing could go wrong. (Famous last words perhaps? But that's a post for another day.) 

Yesterday was my best friend's graduation party. It was going really well, the rain had held up all afternoon. It only had to keep away for a couple more hours and we could have our bonfire. That didnt work so well. Before all the regular guests had even all left, it started raining. 

Not regular rain though. This rain was coupled with ridiculously strong winds, hail, and tornados. A tornado touched down just a few miles from us. 

Now, my friends are not quite normal. They were cracking jokes and not taking it very seriously. Which would have been okay if just one or two were, but it was a lot of them. It didnt really help the anxiety. 

The "mood" had mixed signals. On one hand, we could very well be hit with a tornado. On the other, it was just another day with my favorite people, having fun and laughing. 

The point of that story? I'm not absolutely positive. 

Maybe it's this: when you're writing a scene, think about how weather can help you set a mood. Thunderstorms, sunny days, regular old rain, snowstorms. All can do wonders. But if you want a feeling of panic and confusion, have your characters laughing and making jokes, but all the while, panic is growing in all their hearts. They don't know if they'll make it and that makes them want to laugh all the more. It could be interesting in the least. 

So when you're writing, remember the weather, and then manipulate it to fit the mood you want to set. 

Have something to add? Has weather helped scenes you've written? Share in the comments! I really would love to hear about it!