Tip
Weather can play an obvious role in the mood of a story. The dramatic climax of a movie is accompanied by a thunderstorm; the sun comes out for a happy ending. But we can use our descriptions of setting in a story to indicate the main character’s mood without resorting to big weather clichés.
Depending on what sort of mood we’re in, we notice different details in our environment. Likewise, we see the same details differently. That glass is half full; now it’s half empty.
If I’m in a stunningly good mood as I walk through the park, I might notice the glorious birdsong, the bright new daffodils, that happy dog racing about in the sun.
If I’m utterly down in the dumps, I might notice those same things, but the birdsong would feel like an affront (those insensitive birds!), the daffodils garish, the dog a harsh reminder that I have no dog of my own, and the sunshine oppressive. Or, I might not notice those things at all, and instead see the overflowing litter bin, the lonely old man on a bench, the broken fence.
Even when writing in the third person (he/she rather than I), we can reveal the inner state of a character by how they see their setting, and what they notice in it. This way, setting descriptions can work twice as hard: showing the reader the world of the story, and showing how the character feels at the same time.
Exercise
Pick a place you know well – it could be the inside of a house, the local park, a particular shop.
Think of a character who loves their job, and decide what that job is.
- Walk them through your chosen setting just after receiving the news that they have been sacked. How do they see this place, and what do they notice? Try to convey their low mood through the choice of detail. Write in the third person (he/she/they).
- Do the same when your character has just received the news that they’ve won an international prize in recognition of the great work they do. How do things look now that they’re elated?
This tip is from Zoe Gilbert, who teaches our online courses, Folk Tales in New Fiction and Summer Seminars: Fantastic Literature.