Seasons, Symbols, and the Truth Beneath the Gimmick

Have you ever themed a book or a storyaround a holiday or a specific time of year? What do you think about writingsomething aimed at a certain holiday or event? Are you limiting your audienceor taking advantage of the season like a singer releasing a Christmas album ora TV show doing a Halloween themed episode?

I’ve never set out to write a story centered around aholiday, though seasons often work their way into my fiction—not as backdrop,but as metaphor.

Autumn isn’t just orange leaves an...