Friday, November 14, 2014

What Time of the Year Is It? by Merrillee Whren

As readers we like to know about the setting for a book. Some readers like long, elaborate descriptions. Others prefer a short description and much more action in a story. As part of the setting the author must give the reader an idea about the time of the year in which the book takes place.

If rooftops are covered in snow and trees are draped in white or lights are strung on the bushes, the reader knows it is winter, at least in the northern hemisphere.

Have you ever read a book where January is hot? If you have, you may be reading a story set in Australia. If you live in the northern hemisphere, you have to adjust your thinking when you read a book set in the southern hemisphere or vice versa. For the convenience of today's blog, the references will refer to the northern hemisphere.

If the author mentions azaleas in bloom, you can count on a spring setting. Tulips and daffodils would also signal spring.
Summertime would find the characters wearing shorts, going to the beach or attending a baseball game.
Colorful leaves, a pumpkin on a porch or a Thanksgiving meal would let the reader know it's a fall setting.
Does it make a difference to you in which season of the year a book is set. Do you have a favorite? Do you like stories set around holidays, especially Christmas?




Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of American. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of  thirty-five plus years, and has two grown daughters. Her latest book, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, is available at all major ebook retailers.You can find the buy links at her website. Connect with her on her Facebook page.

7 comments:

  1. I did comment not sure where it went. Im an Aussie so I am use to summer in Jan. I love reading Christmas books in Dec especially when its really hot reading about a cool place,. The same with reading books set in summer in America when its cold here. I think I have read so many American books when I do read an aussie book and about heat in January I have wondered only to realise its set in Australia.

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    1. Jenny, I thought about you when I was writing the post. I that in this time we have readers from all over the world, so we can't just think in terms of the northern hemisphere.

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  2. Makes no difference to me what season is represented in a book as long as it's a good book. I talked to my kids away at school yesterday who are in the middle of the big chill. One made the mistake of running out with basketball shorts and a hoodie. The other had on 3 layers of clothes plus a jacket. One might not have represented the fact that it was 40 degrees outside with freezing rain

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    1. Melinda, I don't always think of seasons in terms of clothing because I remember living in Massachusetts where a 50-degree day brought out kids in shorts. My husband will be in shorts while I'm in jeans. I'm with you on the good book trumping all.

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  3. I love to read books set in specific seasons (especially Christmas) but enjoy a good book regardless of the season in the setting as long as the characters draw me in.

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  4. Shanna, characters are key for me, too. If I don't like the characters, I have a hard time reading the book.

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  5. I love Christmas stories. Although I love romantic beach holiday books as well. I guess it's the setting and characters that make a book interesting, not the time of year.

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