By: Brenda Margriet
There's a reason why weather is a
popular topic for small talk. No matter where we live, the possibility of sun,
rain, snow or sleet affects what we do and how we feel. For example, we are past the mid-way point of
April, and here in Northern British Columbia there is still snow on my lawn. A
lot of snow. While this isn't totally unusual, it is still annoying,
disheartening and a reason to rant.
Do you pay attention to weather in the novels you read? Does
it affect your feelings about the book itself, or a specific scene? Or do you not notice it at all, and simply
register it as a background element?
“It was a dark and stormy night” is a much laughed at,
cliched opening line. But those seven words immediately give you a sense of
what to expect in the rest of the novel.
They speak of gloom and danger and suspense. If the story doesn't live
up to those emotions, evoked by those seven words, we might feel cheated and
confused.
Writers also use weather to compare and contrast. Perhaps
the scene is at a graveside, during the funeral of a much-loved mother and
grandmother. Instead of choosing to have the weather reflect a sombre mood, the
author might portray the day as bright and cheerful, either as a way to taunt
the mourners with the delights of spring, or support them in their grief with the
promise of happier days ahead.
In my current release, MOUNTAIN FIRE, I knew a forest fire
was going to play a role in the story. So every once in a while I had a
character mention how Spring had been unseasonably warm, or how the snow pack
in the mountains was below average. These hints laid the groundwork for a
dramatic scene with my heroine, June.
Take a minute to look at the weather in the novel you are
currently reading. You just might find yourself exploring different depths and
layers of the story. I'd be interested to reading your thoughts, so feel free
to leave a comment.
Maureen has been kind enough to allow me to visit next
Sunday, April 28th, as well.
I'll be discussing settings – does where a story takes place
influence what we think of it? I look forward to chatting with you then!
Synopsis:
A mountaintop mystery leads two conservationists to dangerous
obsessions and violent passions.
Natural resources student June Brandt climbs Longworth Mountain for some alone time. But when Conservation Officer Alex Weaver arrives to look into the death of a grizzly bear, June is caught up in the investigation--and fascinated by Alex.
Alex is attracted by June's competence and coolness under fire--as well as her lithe body and honey-blonde hair. Although their mutual interest in protecting the natural wonders of the area brings them together, they soon realize they view love from very different angles. He offers passion and pleasure, but June wants more.
When one of Alex's colleagues is murdered, June and Alex must work together to find the poacher before other lives are lost. And Alex must look deep inside to discover if he can give June what she deserves.
Natural resources student June Brandt climbs Longworth Mountain for some alone time. But when Conservation Officer Alex Weaver arrives to look into the death of a grizzly bear, June is caught up in the investigation--and fascinated by Alex.
Alex is attracted by June's competence and coolness under fire--as well as her lithe body and honey-blonde hair. Although their mutual interest in protecting the natural wonders of the area brings them together, they soon realize they view love from very different angles. He offers passion and pleasure, but June wants more.
When one of Alex's colleagues is murdered, June and Alex must work together to find the poacher before other lives are lost. And Alex must look deep inside to discover if he can give June what she deserves.
For an excerpt and to find out where to purchase MOUNTAIN
FIRE in digital or print formats, visit www.brendamargriet.com
Bio:
Brenda's love of books began as a child. She ran into the living
room holding "Old Hat, New Hat", tripped and smashed into the corner
of the coffee table. The book sustained a deep gouge in its cover, and Brenda
has never forgotten its sacrifice.
As a teenager, she saved babysitting money to buy a typewriter. It had an electric keyboard with manual return, and cost more than $300. She clacked away at that for hours.
Her first finished novel was still decades away, even though many others died on the page in the intervening years. It wasn't until her husband bought her her very own laptop for Christmas 2010 that she managed to type "The End" on what would eventually be MOUNTAIN FIRE.
As a teenager, she saved babysitting money to buy a typewriter. It had an electric keyboard with manual return, and cost more than $300. She clacked away at that for hours.
Her first finished novel was still decades away, even though many others died on the page in the intervening years. It wasn't until her husband bought her her very own laptop for Christmas 2010 that she managed to type "The End" on what would eventually be MOUNTAIN FIRE.
Brenda lives in Northern British Columbia with her husband, three
children (all of whom are taller than her) and various finny and furry pets. By
day she is Creative Director at the local television station, and by night she
pecks away at her works in progress.
Learn
more about Brenda on her website www.brendamargriet.com.
Congrats! on the release of Mountain Fire. I love when weather and setting play a role in a story.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robena! FYI...I downloaded "The Blue Dolphin"...looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDelete