Writing Tools: Atmosphere

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I am still in edits but I am pausing to talk to you about the importance of atmosphere in a story.

I placed a photo of lit Christmas trees as an example. Some people would see these trees and think of joy, togetherness, and a sense of peace. For others, they would think they don’t have their gift shopping done. Others, still get depressed as they think of being alone and all the people they missed or are gone.

Feelings are different for each person. Be aware of that in your writing.

In my book EverWarm, I start with my heroine looking in a decorated store window based on The Nutcracker ballet. She loves the animated ballerinas and it takes her back to a loving home before her life as a street kid.

I created the atmosphere of the decorated holiday window and her feelings about it. That began the story. Here is an excerpt to show you how I created the atmosphere.

*

For Maeve, every moment on the streets was about two things: where she could find food and a safe warm place to sleep. But today she stood in a crowd transfixed by one of the many Christmas display windows. She allowed herself this time to just be sixteen in New York City. 

The faces of the tiny ballerinas were painted perfectly, each different, unique. The only thing they shared was that they lived in a sugar plum village and performed a synchronized dance. There were toy soldiers and other fantasy characters in the window, but she stood entranced, remembering when she was five and her mother gave her a ballerina doll. A tear rolled down her cheek and she turned away from the sweet memory.  

*

Mike Harris pulled his peacoat tighter and slipped his hands into his gloves. Even though the wind rushed through him with its fierce cold, he did not move from his space in the crowd. She was here again today. 

As much as he admired the perfect art of the automated figures in the store window, he admired her more. 

For the last few days, Mike had stopped by this window to watch the tiny flawless ballerinas pirouetting in their sugar plum world, all glistening beneath swirling snowflakes.

The girl had her own perfection in his mind with her bright green eyes and soft cinnamon red hair topped by a green wool hat with a white pom. While he didn’t understand her choice of the red plaid coat, he respected it. Looking so pretty and sweet, she watched the figures moving in the window and never once looked his way. 

Mike guessed she was around his age. Moving around the woman beside him to get closer, he summoned his courage. Today he would talk to her. He moved again. 

*

The purpose of atmosphere is to allow readers to get to know the main character or characters (if a couple) and have a bit of insight as to how they feel and any big problem they have to overcome.

For those interested, EverWarm is available at Amazon in Paperback and Kindle. It’s a sweet romance/YA paranormal novel. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09MPPTVS5/

Now you know how to create atmosphere. Where is the main character?

Physical locationWeatherFeelingsMemories brought on by locationOvershadowing of a continual problem

Go and enjoy writing. For me, I will be watching a movie about a boy who lives in a cupboard under the stairs. A woman unlocks and bangs on his door. Another boy stomps on the stairs so the sawdust falls on the first boy’s head. Laughs. I just gave another example of atmosphere.

Truly,

Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley

EverWarm for ages 13-113 is now available at Kindle and Amazon Paperback. More to come.
Lady Fallon’s Dragons for ages 13-113 is now available at Kindle and Amazon Paperback, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, BAM online bookstore sells the paperback, Scribd, and in paperback in the UK at Waterstones, also in Amazons around the world.
The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 is available in Amazon Print and Kindle, Nook, Kobo,  Apple, Walmart ebooks & Smashwords.Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle and Kindle Unlimited!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print! Walmart Bookstore Online
Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.
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Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.
A Vampire for Christmas, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.
The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print
When Love Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, and iBooks (on Apple devices).