Temperature on the page

A writing prompt to get you hot under the collar

How do extreme temperatures and weathers change a scene?

Rewrite a scene you are working and change the temperature and/or weather dramatically. Start with the below temperatures and questions.

Heat: What does it mean to put your characters in extreme heat? How does it change how people talk and move? Do people touch each other less, walk more slowly, drink more water?

Rain: What does it mean to put your characters in endless rain, like Julia Armfield does in Private Rites? Are they forever having difficult conversations in damp clothing, dripping as they discuss family dynamics? Do they spend more time inside? Does it make places harder to leave?

Cold: What does it mean to put your characters in extreme cold? Does it change their needs in a scene, their priorities? Are they stuck inside unable to leave? Do they need to be closer to other people to keep warm?

Inspired by Private Rites by Julia Armfield.

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