Writing Prompt Story Starter: In All Weathers


Illustration of woman with scarf blowing in the breeze on a stormy day

Here in the “Friend” if we’re not drinking tea we’re chatting about the weather. It can really affect your mood, but it can also play a major part in your story. Weather can be an ideal tool if you get a bit stuck with your storyline or character. If you feel the need for inspiration there are a number of weather-related tools you can use.


Location


Set your story somewhere hot! It can be pleasantly hot or blisteringly searing! Perhaps you would prefer a cold or frosty setting? Think about the sensations the weather can conjure up. The feelings of it on skin and mood.

 

Clothing


You need to give your characters a well-rounded description. What they’re wearing depending on the weather can really bring them to life. The clothes, the footwear the accessories can make the readers really see them in their minds.

 

Era


How people behaved and dressed depending on the weather can be completely different if it’s period story rather than a contemporary one.

 

Interaction


Where are your characters meeting and speaking? If your location is somewhere warm or hot, they could be outside. Are they near the sea? Are they in a town or city. Likewise, they could be somewhere cold, so inside in front of a roaring fire.

 

Circumstances


Why are they in the location in the first place? Holiday? Job? Exploring? Hiding? Recovering? Bring their story to life!

We have lots of inspiration to get your writing started.

 

 

 

 

Tracey Steel

Having worked on a number of magazines over the years, Tracey has found her perfect place on The Friend as she’s obsessed with reading and never goes anywhere without a book! She reads all the PF stories with a mug of tea close by and usually a bit of strong cheese too!