The setting and time of year of your story can describe a lot for your readers. Plus, based on the season many different plot points can occur, but depicting seasons isn't easy. In this post, I will give advice on writing about and describing the four seasons of the year. (Note: I will mainly be describing seasons in the northern hemisphere.) Here are tips for writing about the four seasons of the year.
Winter
In the northern hemisphere, winter lasts from December 21st to March 20th. In the southern hemisphere, winter stays from June 21st to August 31st. As mentioned, in this post I will be describing seasons in the northern hemisphere since I reside in the Northern Hemisphere. During winter in the northern hemisphere, the weather is typically very cold and plants have lost all their leaves. Here are tips for describing winter in your writing:
Consider the Clothing
Winter is an especially cold time of the year, which is why you should consider your character's clothing. Of course, you don't need to describe every article of clothing your character wears, but you should showcase the season through their attire. If your story takes place somewhere where it normally gets cold, your character probably won't be wearing shorts, instead, they will be wearing scarves. Unless you want to highlight a character's oblivion or lack of knowledge, your characters should wear appropriate clothing. To readers, it can be odd and distracting if a character is wearing a t-shirt in the middle of a blizzard. For more tips on describing a character's clothing press the button below.
Think About Traditions
Many different holidays occur in wintertime, so it is critical to think about your character's traditions. Knowing the traditions of your character will make your story realistic and enjoyable. As you write your winter novel, ask yourself these questions: Does my character celebrate Christmas? Hanukkah? Kwanzaa? What are their special winter traditions? Asking yourself these questions will ensure your characters are real and layered.
Spring
Spring lasts from around March 20th to June 21st. At this time the weather can range from warm and sunny to light snow. As you write it is important to keep in mind that the weather can vary from day to day and there probably won't be consistency in the weather patterns. Listed below are tips for describing spring in your writing:
Research the Environment
Spring is the time of year when flowers begin to blossom. Every region has its species of native plants, so it is important to understand the plants present in your setting. You should also research the different stages of spring in your setting. Most places have early, middle and late spring, but this may not be true for your setting, which is why you should research. Late spring is when most flowers begin to bloom, so if your novel is set in late spring consider the flowers that are blooming.
Consider Spring Break
Spring break is when schools are canceled for a week sometime in mid-spring. During this time most families either take vacations or relax at home. If your story is set in spring, you should account for spring break and how it may impact your character's schedule. Spring break can evoke many plot twists for your characters. For example, maybe a character misses their flight and is forced to stay at home. As you write, think about how you may incorporate spring break and how it relates to your characters.
Relate to the Senses
Lastly, spring is a time when fruits and flowers are plentiful, so relate to the senses! As a writer, you want readers to feel part of your story, which can be achieved through the senses. The five human senses are taste, smell, sight, touch, and sound. Describing aspects of these senses will draw readers into the scene. Plus detailing the five seasons can illustrate the time of year. For taste, consider how your character's diet changes in the spring. What fruits are in season? What juices? For smell describe the smell of rain or the flowers blooming. Sight is the most obvious of the senses, but here are things to describe: the color of the sky, the different flowers blooming, and the size of the sun. Regarding touch, consider how the sun feels on their skin or how the ground feels. Lastly, for sound, discuss the buzzing of bees or birdsongs.
Summer
Summer lasts from June 21st to September 22nd in the northern hemisphere. The weather at this time varies based on location, but it is traditionally very warm. Here are tips for describing summer in writing.
Remember Summer Break
Similar to spring break in the summertime, schools close for summer break. If your character is a student, they mustn't be in school during the summer, unless they are taking summer classes. If your character is in school, readers might get confused about the time of year and will be distracted from the story. In the summer, your characters may spend more time with friends or work on their favorite hobbies. Summer break can create excellent plot points in your story, so utilize it wisely!
Incorporate Food
A great way to indicate the summer season is through food. Every country has fruits and vegetables that are staples in the summer, so incorporate these foods into the story. For example, if your character is drinking hot chocolate readers may understand the story to be set in the wintertime, rather than the summer. You don't need to describe every meal in detail, but food can be a great indicator of the setting of your story, so make sure to at least mention what your character is eating. Some summer foods present in the USA are popsicles, lemonade, watermelon, corn, ice cream, lobster, and salad.
Fall
Fall takes place from September 22nd to December 21st. Continue reading for tips on writing about fall.
Describe Color
Fall is a time full of color. At this time leaves are changing color and beginning to fall to the ground. If your story takes place during fall, it is important to paint an image with your words. To do this, it is crucial to detail all the colors of fall. (Red, brown, orange, yellow.) Describing the colors at this time will engage readers and draw them into the story.
Avoid Saying "It is Cold."
If the weather in your story is cold and crisp, avoid saying "it is cold," instead show the chilliness. The technique of showing a scene rather than telling it allows readers to be pulled into the book and experience the story through imagery, sensory details, and actions. If the temperature is cold describe the way snow sloshes beneath your feet or how the scent of apple cider wafts through the air. Before writing a scene, make a list of what the character feels, hears, sees, tastes and smells, then rewrite and incorporate these senses into the scene.
Intertwining the time of year into your novel will make your story rich and realistic. Although it can be difficult to depict seasons in your story, it isn't impossible. If you follow the tips above you are sure to illustrate a setting that readers won't forget.
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