Letting the reader know the season helps establish the setting and also helps track time passing as a novel progresses. In my most recent novel, seasons bookmark the progress of the book and also reflect upon the protagonist’s journey. For example, the novel opens in November and the late autumn weather reflects the events impacting the character.
We find out later in the novel that the character herself is impacting the weather around her, with a magical ability to influence the weather of which she was unaware. Her world continues to become more bleak as Winter advances.
Of course, I could have written the same events happening in any season, however, I like to think there is subtle poetry with a seasonal reflection that adds dimension to the other magical elements of the story.
By the end of the novel, the opposite occurs with the season – when in January, the very middle of winter, the protagonist’s journey is complete and we learn of the details of the hope-filled happy ending. I like to think that the seasons influence the progress of the protagonist’s journey and also provide a little sense of underlying poetry for the reader.
Whatever the season, or seasons, in your writing project, I hope that they provide you with inspiration and help add depth to the story. 🙂
Julie Manthey 