Does the Weather Affect Your Writing?

[yasminegalenorn]

It's raining, thunder/lightning here (yeah, I know but it's not bad enough to turn off the computer yet).  I live in the Seattle area where overcast is a way of life, where the gloom creeps into every corner most of the year.  I have S.A.D. to an extent, but I've discovered that too much sun makes me nervous and jittery (too much as in, without a

Comments

[jer_bear711]

I've noticed over the years that I write better when it's gloomy and raining.

Yes! I've often thought that I have a mild case of the summer form of SAD--all that sunlight is overstimulating, and I have trouble focusing. I stay up too late and get up too early (the latter is mostly the dog's fault), so I get sleep-deprived. It's like I need a certain amount of night in my day to make my brain feel complete, y'know?

I can't imagine not using the environmental attributes of an area (especially in my Luna series, which is so nature-oriented). I often find when revising, if I have too many "living room/coffee house" conversation/musing scenes, they have more resonance if I relocate them outside and integrate the weather or setting with the characters' interaction (or thoughts, if it's a one-person scene).

--Jeri

[mindyklasky]

*I* find it very difficult to get moving on grey and gloomy days. On clear, bright, cool days, I'm much more productive - even though I'm much more tempted to take a break with a loooong walk.

My Jane Madison series is set in DC. The action in each book starts during the hazy, hot, and humid summer and ends on Halloween. I've written bits of the books at all different times of the year - I often have to consciously remind myself, when I'm writing on a snow day, that the summer heat is truly oppressive! (I keep photos on my computer of the hazy skies, and of turning maple leaves, etc. to remind me of the feel I need to grasp.)

[templarwolf]

When I was younger, the weather affected my writing more. When it was raining or drizzly out, my mother couldn't, well, wouldn't tell me to go play outside.

I must admit through, I seriously miss the Seattle area. I lived in Tacoma 89-92.

[lankywriter]

OMG! I thought I was the only one. When it's too sunny out, I'm often tempted to take my laptop into the walk-in closet, sit on the floor, and close the door. But I haven't. Yet.

I keep the blinds closed in my office and that helps. I'm not sure exactly what it is about a sunny day that distracts me. I think it's all that open sky, like I can't contain my brain, can't focus when the sky is literally the limit.

I live in Oregon, and we have our share of gloom, but the part of Oregon where I live boasts of sunny weather most of the year. I suppose I can always go stay with my daughter in rainy (& muggy) Eugene. 8^)

[shanna_s]

I'm definitely a rainy day writer. The moment it starts raining, my creativity kicks into high gear.

Too bad I live in Texas ...