Keep Your Tongue Off That Flagpole
The past 3-4 days the afternoon temperature in San Antonio has been 80F, plus or minus a degree or two. And it will be there again today. Can spring be far behind?
Yes. It's but a mere speck in the rearview mirror.
Tomorrow winter will kick our butts and make us cry for our mamas. We're supposed to have nights around 20 and days with highs only in the 30's most of the week.
Those of you who live in an M-state like Michigan and Minnesota and Maine and Montana probably don't think this sounds too bad. But for us warm-weather types, it's darn chilly.
I'm not complaining, because I really don't mind a little cold weather every now and then. What I am doing is using our weather to make a point.
Think pacing and plotting.
Your protagonist is floating along nicely in an warm blur. Wham! In blows what Texans call a Blue Norther. That means it's gonna get colder than a frozen flagpole. This would amount to a whole heap of trouble for your protagonist.
Once it gets cold, it's going to stay cold. It will warm up just enough to laugh in your face during the day, the sun will shine, and maybe your protagonist believes things are looking up. Except the next night is even colder than the first one.
Uh-oh.
At the end of the week - the end of your story - the weather warms up again. Your protagonist is smiling, and all is right with her world.
So the next time you sit down to plot your story - or for pantsers, the next time things get to a standstill - check the weather forecast.
Sunny and warm makes the writer smile. But your protagonist needs a series of squalls and storms to keep readers happy.
Happy readers rock!
Yes. It's but a mere speck in the rearview mirror.
Tomorrow winter will kick our butts and make us cry for our mamas. We're supposed to have nights around 20 and days with highs only in the 30's most of the week.
Those of you who live in an M-state like Michigan and Minnesota and Maine and Montana probably don't think this sounds too bad. But for us warm-weather types, it's darn chilly.
I'm not complaining, because I really don't mind a little cold weather every now and then. What I am doing is using our weather to make a point.
Think pacing and plotting.
Your protagonist is floating along nicely in an warm blur. Wham! In blows what Texans call a Blue Norther. That means it's gonna get colder than a frozen flagpole. This would amount to a whole heap of trouble for your protagonist.
Once it gets cold, it's going to stay cold. It will warm up just enough to laugh in your face during the day, the sun will shine, and maybe your protagonist believes things are looking up. Except the next night is even colder than the first one.
Uh-oh.
At the end of the week - the end of your story - the weather warms up again. Your protagonist is smiling, and all is right with her world.
So the next time you sit down to plot your story - or for pantsers, the next time things get to a standstill - check the weather forecast.
Sunny and warm makes the writer smile. But your protagonist needs a series of squalls and storms to keep readers happy.
Happy readers rock!
Comments
Also, good comparison with the weather and writing.
And cool - A Christmas Story reference! Yeah, keep the tongue away from frozen flagpoles.
Joanne - This morning the weather said we may get a winter mix on Friday.
Jane - You can do that on weather.com :) Stay cool!
VR - I know that feeling.
Stephen - Exactly!
Clarissa - That's when it's really hard, when it comes after great weather. It's not quite so bad if it's led into gradually.
Lee
Tossing It Out and the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2011
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Arlee - I love warm sunny days.
Mason - Stock up on firewood and hot chocolate :)
I'm bracing for the cold spell here, too. Was planting my garden yesterday while temps were in the 70s.
It's been snowing since 3 this morning here and won't stop until well after sundown. Huzzah!
Keep warm Carol! But thanks for sharing the news about your 80 degree weather. I'm not bitter at all.
Holly - Sorry about that...LOL!
Laura - Got your attention, though :)
Hannah - Bundle up and build a snowman. Or cuddle by the fire. Which would I choose!
Elspeth - It's so gorgeous now I can't believe my tush will be frozen for a while starting tomorrow.
Elizabeth - Thanks. I am ready for sure. It's supposed to arrive by the end of January, right - LOL.
I think there are quite a few like that although, I seem to be the opposite. When it's gorgeous outside I want to go play and enjoy the sunshine. January and February are my most productive months not only at the keyboard but as far as housework goes too.
Wish I were there, although the sun came out today, hurrah.
I'm in Ohio, not an 'M' state, but still darn cold. If I had to compare, my heroine is in choppy water with a beautiful sunset every once in a while.
But the sharks are circling...
Very good post!
Marie, http://marierearden.blogspot.com
Good post :)
Kathy - I agree.
Marie - Nice to see you at the Tiki Hut. Feel free to comment any time. Thanks for following, too.
Wendy - We get hot summers like that in Texas, too.
Love the analogy and great advice.
Interesting to think about places and thei weather and their genres... i wonder if this is why the south has so many romance writers... though I know some mystery writers too... and paranormal..., but yeah... pretty bleak and hopeless for our heroine in Michigan... it's gunna be MONTHS before she is happy again.
Hello from another M-state--Missouri, where we've had sleet, snow, and freezing rain today.
Your example of weather and pacing is an eye opener.
Stay warm,
Donna V.
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com
LR - It's 5:30 here, the sun is still blazing, and it's 30F. Tonight will be freaking cold here, too.
Donna - Good! No siestas Under the Tiki Hut - LOL.
Great point in terms of plot movement and pace. I just couldn't get over the content and into the process for a moment. Let's call it EXTREME envy.