We’ve made it to the time of year (at least in my corner of the world) when it is finally getting COLD.
Amid the sparkling frost and infinite cups of hot tea, I’ve been taking particular note of how my body is reacting to this shift toward winter. For instance, my lotion use has skyrocketed in a vain attempt to keep my hands from turning scaly after washing too many dishes, and I’ve noticed that it takes my muscles twice as long to loosen up during yoga.
This got me thinking about how our characters’ bodies react to the climate of their physical environment.
It can seem like a small piece of building a scene, but weather can change a lot about our characters’ body language, their interactions with others, and even their emotional state. (Seasonal depression, anyone?) These subtle cues can add richness to a scene that makes the reader feel grounded in the moment, and they can also open us up to new insights about our characters.
For these writing prompts, we will play with how temperature and climate influence our characters even when other key elements of a scene stay the same. This guided writing exercise will take about 30 minutes.
Take a deep breath and spend a moment looking outside, either stepping outdoors or gazing out your favorite window. How many leaves are left in that tree? Can you smell the smoke of a neighbor’s fireplace? Is the street pavement wet? What do you hear? Without writing, simply observe for 2 minutes.
Now, notice the shape of your body in this environment. If it’s cold, is your body closed off to retain heat? If it’s storming, does the thunder make you jump? Are you like me and constantly picking the dead skin on your knuckles even though you know you shouldn’t? Jot down your observations for 3 minutes.
Let’s move into the fictional realm. Write a short scene starring your character of choice in the same environment you’re experiencing, whether indoors or out. The scene does not have to be ABOUT the weather, but pay special attention to how your character moves in space in relation to it. Write for 10 minutes.
Time to switch things up! Take the scene you just wrote, and drastically change the weather. If it was a clear and balmy day, it may now be a dark and stormy night. If icicles dripped from the trees like daggers, a heat wave may be in order. As you rewrite your scene, I invite you to hide the previous iteration from your own wandering eyes, taking inspiration from its memory but not tying yourself to its dictates. Write for 10 minutes.
This time, let’s think about how a character’s reaction to the weather can impact how others perceive them. I know in my own life, my crossed arms can come across as standoffish instead of as a sign that my hands are cold! Consider either version of the scene you’ve written from the perspective of another character (or even an opinionated narrator), and notice how they interpret your protagonist’s weather-impacted actions. Write for 5 minutes.
Take another deep breath. Thank yourself for taking time out of your busy day to explore the weather's power over our scenes and characters.
Want more guided writing? Members have access to more guided writing via the members-only blog. Just one of the many perks of being a Blue Stone!
KAY TEEKELL is a blue stone and fellow creative writer. She works as a writer and editor at Risk Assistance Network + Exchange and has worked with Claire in several capacities over the last few years. Kay is passionate about the power of storytelling and will continue to develop her literary talents for the rest of her life.