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! 

The Unicorn: A Story in Episodes

So this is my story that I'm going to be posting every Sunday! (Hopefully. Can't promise anything in the summer.) 

I would love your honest opinion! 

The Unicorn

The unicorn didn't fit in the room. He was just too large. 

"How are we ever going to manage this?" Asked Laura. 

"Hush!" Said Nathan. "I'm thinking!" 

"Well that's an annoying thing to do." Put in Daniel. 

"Shut Up!" 

"Fine. Grumpy face." Daniel stuck out his tongue. 

"So, if we put the unicorn in the yard, everyone will see it. And those pesky Mr. And Mrs. Davis will call the police and we'll go to prison for illegal possession of mythical creature and if Mom and Dad see it, we'll get worse than prison. Possibly worse than death." 

Daniel shuddered. "Lecture."

"Sounds about right." Said Laura. She crossed her arms over her chest. "So whatcha gonna do about it?" 

Nathan sighed. "I don't know." 

"We could put it in the garage!" 

"No Laura, my dad's car is in there. He'd kill me if something happened to it." 

"Hey I know!" Exclaimed Daniel. "The treehouse!" 

Nathan rolled his eyes. "Genius." He replied, raising his eyebrow. 

"Fine. Whatever." Said Daniel. He was tired of this whole mess. "I'm going to go watch The Avengers." 

"Again?" Asked Laura. "Haven't you seen that like, five gazillion times?" 

"Maybe." Replied Daniel. "But it calms me down. It's like an old friend that will always be there when I need a pick-me-up." 

"You're weird Daniel." Said Nathan. 

Daniel bowed, Mountain Dew in hand before sauntering to the TV room. 

"We could put it in the basement." Said Laura after a moment of thoughtful silence between the two. 

"I thought about that. But how will we get it down the stairs?" 

"Magic!" Laura replied. Her eyes glinting with mischief. 

"We don't have any magic Laura! And even if we did, we wouldn't know how to use it!" 

Laura furrowed her brow. She was biting her lip in that adorable way that Nathan loved. 

"It seems you mortals are in need of some help." The deep voice had come from the living room and brought Nathan back to earth. 

Laura looked at him. Her grey eyes betrayed her fear. 

Nathan glanced around the room but could see no one. 

He cautiously moved to sit by Laura in case he needed to protect her. 

"Who's there?" He asked. 

"Are you afraid? You really shouldn't be. I've been here the whole time. If I wanted to attack you, I would have already." 

"The whole time?" Said Laura. "But how? We searched the house before bringing the uni..." She trailed off. She looked at Nathan with wide eyes. 

He seemed to have come to the same conclusion. 

"Launem? Is that you?" 

The unicorn tossed it's head. 

"About time you figured it out my dear boy. But my name is Gerald. Launem is the most ridiculous name I've ever heard. Where did you get it?"

Laura stayed silent. She had been quite proud of the name. It was original. 

"Uhh..." Said Nathan. He glanced at Laura who gave a slight shake of her head. "It doesn't matter." He finally decided. "Can you help us?" 

"Perhaps." Answered the unicorn. 

"We need to find a place to put you." 

"Why can't I just stay here? The grass is positively delightful!" Gerald took a huge bite of the carpet and began chewing it thoughtfully. 

"No!" Exclaimed Nathan, jumping from his seat. "Oh no...my mom's gonna kill me..." He ran his hand through his thick dark hair in dismay. "Why would you do that??" He demanded of Gerald. 

"Becauf it tazes good lil' hoomen." Gerald had his mouth very full. 

"Dont chew with your mouth full." Muttered Laura. 

"Well excoof me!" Gerald was trying for indignation but it failed when a bit of chewed up carpet fell from his mouth. 

"Ewww!" Exclaimed Laura, moving as far away from it as she could. 

"Forry" 

"You are a disgusting creature." 

Gerald just looked at her with disapproval. 

"Umm, guys. Why is the unicorn eating the carpet?" Daniel had come back. 

"What happened to the Avengers?" Laura asked. 

"Needed a snack. But why is it eating the carpet?" 

"Because it tastes good." Replied Gerald. 

Daniel dropped his Mountain Dew. "Launem can talk??" 

"Daniel!" Nathan exclaimed, leaping forward. "My mom just bought this carpet! Oh man..." He rushed to the kitchen for some paper towels. 

"Sorry." Muttered Daniel. 

"His actual name is Gerald." Said Laura. 

Daniel raised an eyebrow. 

"Gerald? What kind of a unicorn name is Gerald?" 

"An honorable one!" Protested Gerald. "I'll have you know puny human, my great-great grandfather had the name Gerald and he did many mighty deeds in the war of-" 

"Yeah, we don't care. Shut up Gerry." Interrupted Daniel. 

"Humph. I was going to offer to solve your problem for you but since you can't be nice, I think I'll let you figure it out yourself." Gerald said. 

"Fine by me!" Said Daniel turning his back and crossing his arms. 

Nathan came rushing back into the room paper towels in hand. 

"Daniel!" Laura moaned. "We need him!" 

"Oh man oh man oh man..." Nathan muttered. 

"Nathan! Are you there?" Called a voice from the front door. "Could you come unlock the door for me?" 

"Mom!" Exclaimed Nathan. He turned to the unicorn. "Get yourself out of here Gerald! I don't care how just do it!" 

"Well you don't have to be pushy." Gerald replied. He tossed his head and instantly, all four of them were in a place  they'd never seen before. 

"What did you do??" Cried Nathan. 

"I saved your hide. Go ahead, thank me." Replied the content looking unicorn. 

Nathan gave Gerald a look. "Not on your life." He mumbled. "This is the most ridiculous place I've ever been to! Nothing looks normal! Where are we?" 

"Nathan," Daniel said, picking  a starburst from a nearby tree nonchalantly. "Did you have no childhood? We're in candy land!" 

Bad At Watching Sports

So I'm sitting at my little sister's softball game, I'm watching her play but listening intently to the younger boys playing on a different field because I thought I heard a name that I recognized. After a while one of the girl's moms came over from the concession stand and asked how her daughter had got on base. Despite having been watching, I had absolutely no idea. Is it possible to be bad at watching sports?

Stupid Scuttle The Bug

So. I was laying in my bed one Monday night. Last night actually.

I was just laying there. Watchin a Julian Smith video, and trying to laugh quietly cause my whole family was asleep and Julian is one hilarious dude.

When out of the blue, a gigantic (we're talking quarter, maybe half dollar size) black beetle type bug appears!

Easter Eve

I really like Easter.  Candy and food aside, it's amazing to be able to remember the sacrifice my Lord and Savior made for me, and the hope that I have through His resurrection. :)

At my church we have a tradition.  We do an Easter egg hunt on the Saturday before Easter.  (What I call Easter Eve)  Actually, that's probably not that much of an uncommon thing come to think of it.

My sister's and I went early to help hide the eggs before all the kids got there.  It's almost more fun to hide them than hunt for them in my opinion!  Except I don't get much candy...

Breathing...

Have you ever been just laying in your bed, the world is silent and all of a sudden, you hear breathing?

If that's never happened to you, you have never known fear.

I was just laying in bed, trying to get to sleep. It was late, midnight to be exact.

The world was quiet, I couldn't hear a sound aside from my own breathing.

When all of a sudden...clear as day, breathing. It sounded human. Ridiculously human.

Chased By A Minotaur

So I was driving to my best friend's house yesterday. It was the first time I'd driven there by myself and I was excited.

On this particular trip, I was being followed rather closely by an annoying fellow driver. Naturally, I began to imagine they were following me. It was only logical right?

3am

You may be wondering why in the world I'm up at 3 in the morning. The answer: I have absolutely no idea. I went to bed at a reasonably decent hour. (Which was probably mistake #1)

I layed in bed for a while, thinking about my day and the things that had happened. But I got bored really quickly. It was obvious I wouldn't sleep for a while so I decided to browse the Internet. (Mistake #2) I became so engrossed that the next thing I knew it was well past midnight.

So then I thought: "This is rubbish. I'll never sleep if I keep on this way." (Yes, I think in a British accent) So I decided I really needed to sleep. But obviously, my brain had other ideas. "Time to turn completely ADHD!" Was the curse I inflicted on myself. "Rainbows are pretty! I love jelly beans! Umbrellas need to all be multi-colored. Our country needs to learn proper english..." This is essentially how my brain is functioning.

And so here I sit. Writing about my insomnia. Which I just realized is probably due to the Mountain Dew I drank with my supper...*facepalm*

Mystery=solved!
Beth=Sleep-deprived.

Goodnight everyone! (I suppose good morning is more appropriate...)