If you are writing a story that takes place in the winter, it
doesn’t make much sense to ignore the holiday season. Even if your character
doesn’t celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah or Kwanza you need to acknowledge that
fact and give a reason for it. Maybe their house burned down on Christmas and
their family died. That would tell the reader a lot about that character.
Even if you talk about them celebrating a holiday such as
Christmas it’s important to give some details about how they celebrate it.
Where they live and the size and beliefs of their family have some influence on
the character’s traditions, but personality and personal taste figure in it as
well.
For example, how do you prepare for and celebrate Christmas?
Do you decorate your house inside and out? Perhaps you put up a tree and hang a
wreath on the door, or go all out like Tim the Tool Man. Do you open all your presents
on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Maybe you only open one on Christmas Eve and
the rest on Christmas Day. Do you celebrate with friends and family? Who hosts?
Why?
Do you host or attend parties? What about office parties?
Are they elaborate or intimate? Do you give extravagant gifts? To whom? Do you buy
the gifts personally and put a lot of thought into it, or do you farm the chore
out to underlings or gift cards? How about your characters? All these details
speak to both the character’s lifestyle and personality, so it’s important to
make sure they actually fit your character. If not, be sure to explain the anomaly.
Now you and your family of characters have a very Merry
Christmas!
6 comments:
From November to January, there are nearly 30 holidays observed by the world's major religions. So, while Christmas may be the default for some, I agree that it is very likely that whether a character celebrates or not, they will come across some sign of one of these events being celebrated if the story takes place during those months.
Happy holidays!
Happy Holidays! This time of the year is always magical!
Merry Christmas Paranormal Romantics. I love this wonderful time of the year, but I've never written anything having a character celebrate or not celebrate the holidays.
Happy holidays! A magical time of year! Check out Meringue Snowflake Magic for a magical holiday tale.
And there's the difference between celebrating in different regions i.e. snowy Michigan to desert AZ. And adjusting from one to the other. Happy Holidays!!
Yes, sorta like writing a story that takes place during the civil war and never mentioning it.
Nancy, I still don't miss snow, but they do get it on the mountain. So, if I really wanted to I could dig out my skis and visit the resort up there. It's easier to just stay here with 70-80 something days and look at the pretty mountain peaks. Maybe while floating in the pool--although I used to watch them ski the diamond trail while floating in the pool at Shanty Creek in MI.
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