  Short Stories
This week: Weather or Not? Edited by: KimChi  
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A rainy day is the perfect time for a walk in the woods.
~Rachel Carson, founder of the modern environmental movement
There's no such thing as bad weather, just soft people.
~Bill Bowerman
A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves.
~Marcel Proust
Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative.
~Oscar Wilde
Walking through puddles is my favorite metaphor for life. ~Jessi Lane
Is weather the "last refuge of the unimaginative", or is it a way to "recreate the world?" Since global climate change is a "hot" topic this Earth Day, let's explore the way we can use weather in short stories.
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Weather or Not?
"For goodness sake, don't write about the weather!" (author unknown)
Everyone knows weather is what you talk about with nosy neighbors and strangers. Writing about the weather, especially in the crucial opening lines, is widely considered boring, if not cliché. Unknown has a good point.
But he's still wrong. 
Weather happens whether we write about it or not. It's a fact of life like birth, death, and marriage, and much more prevalent. While most of us no longer rush to get the crops in before a storm, weather still affects us. A storm slows traffic and makes bright nylon flowers sprout above people's heads. Despite air conditioning, a sweltering day is always a good excuse to seek a large body of water and liquid refreshment.
The one thing you can count on is weather changing. Change is action, and action is never boring. Weather is the pull of the tides and the push of the wind, the silence of snow and the roar of rain. By itself weather is smalltalk, but in the context of a story it is an opportunity for precision. Whether or not you describe the weather and climate, it needs to be in the back of your mind. It influences moods and apparel choices. A story spanning weeks or months needs a mention of sun or rain as weather changes heighten realism. This is true whether the setting is your back yard or a medieval keep.
Weather in History
It is especially important to be mindful of weather in an historical story, as it affected human lives moreso than today. Even fifty years ago air conditioning was not widespread. Our ancestors were intimately acquainted with the weather, from knowing when to plant crops to planning birthday parties, where guests might travel days over muddy, rutted paths to attend.
A few ideas for stories:
 Famous weather related incidents: the Ice Age, Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, the Great Flood, shipwrecks, etc.
Weather as antagonist:
From To Light a Fire by Jack London to Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel, writers frequently use the weather to test humanity's endurance.
archaeological discoveries: Ice Man, Peat Bog Man, etc.
mountain climbing triumphs and accidents
seasonal monsoons and flooding
adventure travels and explorers
Natural Disasters:
Typhoons, tsunamis, volcanoes and earthquakes aren't background issues; they are major plot opportunities, violent events that transform lives. There is heartbreak and loss of life. Heroes are made and communities find resilience and hope.
Modern Marvels
As writers we're historians--immersed in cultural conventions that seep through our writings without conscious thought. Our words preserve the past for the archaeologists of the future. What is happening now? We can take inspiration from current events and technological advances to show how weather affects us in the present.
 Modern weather and climate plot ideas
(Just a starting point; I'm sure you can think of a thousand more exciting ideas.)
Cloud seeding
Airline travel (during a rainstorm or a solar flare)
Organic farming/Industrial farming/fertilizers and chemicals
Genetic engineering for water usage, type of soil, etc.
Biodome, sealed communities, eco-housing
Computers: models, forecasting, the ability to get instant weather on TV and online
FEMA-Federal Emergency Management Agency (or your bureaucratic equivalent)
PETA, EarthWatch, etc: the role of citizen's groups on global policy
Oil/water/food shortages
the effects of global climate change
 Idea: Jot down all your ideas related to weather. Mix and match. Here's my inspiration from the list above. A farming corporation hires a drifter/pilot to dust a rival company's fields with toxic chemicals, but the pilot is actually gathering data for EarthWatch. The "spy" transmits the video evidence live on the internet. How's that for an insta-plot? 
The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades
What will the skies bring in the future? Will we "recreate the world" or destroy it? How will our society change under the best or worst case scenarios?
In honor of Earth Day, I've created the contest that's been on my to-do list for months. The first prompt is a futuristic story showing the effects of global climate change. From the benefits of bigger beaches next month, to the end of the world as we know it in 2234, to anything in between. Make it raw; make it real.
Please see "Invalid Item" for details. I will feature all entries in future newsletters.
Weather Ways
Plot, subplot, or detailed setting, the weather doesn't have to be small talk.
Plot ideas.
Famous weather-related incidents and current events hold plenty of fodder for conflicts such as man vs. man, man vs. nature, and man vs. himself.
Character traits.
Or, how does your character "handle rainy days and lost luggage"? Some people love the rain. (It is driving me mad! Can you tell?  )
 Physical description.
Rain or snow falling on a person might be the perfect opportunity to paint that crooked nose or rugged brow.
 Setting.
Beware of tired phrases and clichéd moods, but do use the weather to paint climate and landscape. Include the smells, sounds, and textures along with imagery.
 Mood.
Mirror (or contrast) a character's inner landscape with the weather through foreshadowing, implication, or description.
 Foreshadowing and Symbolism.
Weather cliches abound in our speech because we relate to them. A dark and stormy night signals devastation or horror, but why? My take on the elements we use most often.
Thunder - "a rumble of discontent"
Thunder is the pre-rain show. The loud grumble above our heads means the worst is yet to come, which makes it an apt metaphor for social discontent.
Lightning - "flash of lightning"
Lightning is quick, intense, and dangerous. Lightning could signal a burst of knowledge/inspiration, or that things have gone terribly wrong--in a flash.
Snow - "pure as the driven snow"
Snow is the great equalizer, covering your unkempt lawn with a pristine blanket of white. A serene child-like innocence falls with those little flakes, a yearning to catch snow on your tongue and build forts for snowball fights. During heavy snow, the world slows as we concentrate on the most pure expression of love--snuggling into the warmth of family.
Rain - "April showers bring may flowers."
Rain refreshes the earth so plants can grow, and is therefore linked to fertility. Rain also symbolizes tears (as a release of emotions), and can "clear the air" of pollen and old grudges.
Wind - "winds of change"
Howling winds bring rain, ideas, inspiration, and change. Wind is invisible, and useful to signal the arrival of supernatural entities like ghosts.
Here's a raspberry to the conventional wisdom that says, "Don't open a story with the weather!"  Yes, it is overdone, but we front-load our stories with weather to set the scene because it works (when integrated seamlessly--see the first editor's pick below for an example.) Instead of calling it a cliche, perhaps we should elevate the weather to something more than a background device.
After all, humans evolved in part because of the weather. You can thank "The Weather" for the benefits of civilization like soaring Gothic cathedrals and fashion shows. We build "shelters from the storm", dress for rain and snow, and plan around the forecast, but we can't stop the rain.
Weather is an inevitable part of the human condition, like death and taxes. Why not write about it?
Until next time, keep your eyes on the skies, and remember: "We all live downstream."
HAPPY EARTH DAY!
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Weather Items
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#863793 by Not Available. |
Samuel Johnson sat in his wooden rocker enjoying the evening air. His little dog, Suzie, lay loyally beside him on the front porch. Samuel spat a stream of tobacco juice off the side of the porch as a gust of wind howled through the eaves of the old farmhouse. Suzie raised her lazy head with a slight moan.
"Don't worry girl." Samuel reached down giving the aging beagle a reassuring pat on the head. "It's just the wind."
When she got back to the porch, he'd settled onto the porch swing, with Eddie huddled beside him. The storm was just picking up into full power; huge peals of thunder rang overhead. Eddie flinched at every one, tears running down his face. Lightning split the sky, striking all about. The wind tore through the yard, rattling the windows until she thought they would shatter.
The sun disappeared. Thick ash began to burn my skin as it rushed at me from the sky. Wait. This wasn't ash, it was snow. Snow that was being blown so hard and so fast, it felt like little pellets of heat igniting my skin. It was painful. My eyes were just open with a squint for I couldn't see with the wind blowing it's wrath at me anyway.
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#1492340 by Not Available. |
Rain beat against the farmhouse roof. The McConnell family, now huddled in the safety of their cellar, could hear hail pelting the shutters. Each member of the family stared at the ceiling, the floorboards of the kitchen above them, listening as debris crashed against the house.
For crying out loud, it's April, Bill thought as he drove through a swirl of white. Where did all this snow come from? He managed to dodge one snowdrift, only to plow headlong into a bigger one and skid sideways. He held the steering wheel in a death grip and barely kept the car from sliding into a ditch.
Jack pulled his desk chair in close to the computer and clicked on the path of the storm.
"Terri, what time was Cindy supposed to be here?"
His wife came out of the kitchen drying her hands. "She said she had some errands to run, she should have been here around 3 o'clock."
Submitted Items
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How do you handle weather in your stories? Please send in your pet peeves and tricks of the trade.
Thanks  to everyone for the lovely comments and great suggestions on understanding your characters. All the editors appreciate your feedback.
larryp
Great newsletter Kimchi. I like the Mark Twain quote and I still get shivers when I envision Kathy Bates as Anne Wilkes smashing that sledge hammer into his ankles. Yikes!
spazmom
excellent newsletter...good points all around.
DRSmith  Ah, starting the year off with a double-barreled bang, I see. Your character piece is exceptional; professionally presented and as powerful an inspiration as treatises get. Readers would be wise to take heed... and read, and read, and read. It's a great exercise in seeing the differences in characterization technique vs styles that no doubt will help us wannabe's hone our own quills. As such, four such superb talents come to mind in here... if i may share: Silverfeathers, Rickopotamus, Tosca and Jerry Powell.
Thank you! I've highlighted these excellent stories above.
Acme
AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH *runs screaming from piccie of mallet wielding Kathy Bates*
Ooh, I thought I was in the horror/scary newsletter for a moment...
Top notch newsletter 
Stephanie
I knew I did a good job with the character (sorry, person) in my last story when I found myself cheering for his college team during last week's NCAA basketball tournament.
Write on!
Zeke
Sometimes I like to create a character that has almost no redeeming qualities at all and get into his/her mind. Often, that exercise allows me to broaden my judgment of people I meet in life.
Zeke
billwilcox
I have to admit that I did get a totally creepy review from Annie  This can't be real, I thought. But after reading it several times, I just wasn't quite sure....
esprit
Great letter, kimchi, and good points on characters. I'd like Donna the Redneck for a neighbor, I like her. Thanks for including my article! 
scribbler
I've come to realize that I don't choose my characters. The usually come banging on my front door at 2 in the morning fully formed. So I sit up in bed with a pencil and a cup of tea and get to know them. I always ask, "what do you want more than anything in the world". It's the best place to start.
Lauriemariepea
another humdinger of a newsletter, kimchi--i know my plots suffer in comparison to character, but i do love it so. *sigh*
thanks for highlighting my story! lots of great stuff to read through here--woop!
pooja_sr
Thank you very much, Kimchi, for both the response and putting up my work. Informative newsletter. Short-story writing is such a skill, the more you do it, the better you get, but there's no best, unfortunately. :( Cheers!
nightwindows
Great newsletter! I love characters!
Some of my favorite characterization comes from the characters having to deal with uncomfortable or awkward situations. How a person copes with being stuck in an elevator with his mother-in-law, his boss's boss, and the most attractive secretary he's ever seen can really say a lot! 
faithjourney
Interesting question. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, so I analyze them. What are their general personality traits? Are they optimistic, depressed, cynical, serious, or a prankster? And why are they this way? Natural temperment or the cumulation of experiences. I find this is a good starting point to creating characters. And yes,some traits are based on people I know (or knew)!
Satuawany
Hey, look at how many of those "character" stories are awarded. I bet it's just a coincidence. Another well thought out NL, Kim. Thank you and good luck with Donna.
Although I personally pick only one item, I have the honor of handing out seven awardicons each month for "Invalid Item" Good eye!
Adriana Noir
Amazing newsletter! You gave great insight into delving into characters. Those are truly what make or break a story. A month after reading a book, the only things that really sticks with me is what happened to the characters and why! If you can make me feel for them and their plight, you've got a fan for life.
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Short Stories: April 22, 2009 Issue [#3014]
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