Well, maybe not where you live, but spring has arrived in North Central Texas. Even before the green stuff sprang from the ground and tree branches, the birds declared it spring. In the morning walking Charley, it’s like hearing a symphony orchestra with all the different birds singing a separate part. And the birds have been carrying on this way for weeks now.
Our temps still drop occasionally at night into the 40s, but days are routinely hitting the 70s and yes even the low 80s. I almost hesitate to share this with those of you packed under multiple feet of snow from multiple nor-easters. I hope your power is back on. However, you will be the ones smiling this summer when you’re enjoying mid 70s and 80s while we will be sweltering in 105 plus and for as many as 40 days or more in a row at that!
Pic from D’Ann Burrow from the 3rd Nor’easter.
It recently came to my attention when I was looking through my books for the word “spring” for one of our Sisterhood of Suspense Sunday Hot Lines that I don’t set novels in the spring time. The stories in my books take place in the fall mostly or the winter or summer. Well, my second published book, TRUTH BE TOLD ends during the spring, but only because I couldn’t tie up the story. Spring wasn’t a main part of the book. Winter was. The majority of the story takes place during the two weeks of the Christmas/New Year’s holiday.
Then I began to wonder, why don’t I set a story in the spring. I really hate summer, and yet I’ve had several books set in the summer. What is it about a Texas spring that makes me steer away?
I don’t know the answer to that exactly. I suspect it has something to do with tornadoes and severe weather that attacks our part of the country during the spring. It seems to me I need to take that fear, because it really is a fear, of those storms and put it into the next book I write. Well, the next one after Book 4 of The Second Chances Series, which I’m working on now and should come out late fall. That’s a plan. 🙂
I’m curious, is the time of year an important piece of your books? Is there one season you favor over others? Many, many years ago, I read a romantic suspense book (Sadly, I don’t remember title or author.), and the winter weather was an actual character in this book. The author did a superb job making the reader experience the cold temperatures, and the biting wind. I’ve always remembered that book. And yes, I should turn our spring storms into a character in a book. Love to hear from you.
Word by Word 
I love Spring too! Here on the west coast of Canada, it’s coming a bit late this year. The cherry blossoms are just getting ready to open outside my window, and daffodils are popping up everywhere. Like you, I noticed the birds the other day when I was tidying up my garden to get it ready for planting. Although it was just a couple singing. I’d love to hear your symphony 😀
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Hey, Kathryn. You’d love our bird symphony. They blend and then you can actually pick out the different birds doing their thing. How fun to have cherry blossoms outside your window. They must be an inspiration to your writing. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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Lovely post! Spring and autumn are my favorite seasons. I’m hoping for an early spring in Ontario. 🙂
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Hey, Joanne. I’m with you on Fall. It’s my all-time favorite. Fingers crossed for you getting spring soon. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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Hi, Marsha! Spring is new birth and is glorious after the dark and gloom of winter. Handsome and I walked the dogs on Sunday and one bird had the most beautiful song. We paused to listen. So far, my books are set in the summer, late summer, and upcoming is the fall.
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Hey, Vicki. Yes, Bob and I have stopped to see if we can pick out where the specific birds are, but the brownish ones hide in the twigs that haven’t turned yet. Occasionally, we spy a red bird, but mostly they just share the music and we enjoy. No winter in your books, I notice. Maybe you don’t like winter the way I don’t like spring. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
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Such an interesting question, Marsha. My stories right now are taking place in the dead heat of summer, but I also love books set in the fall and winter. I honestly can’t think of any books set in the spring! It’s snowing here right now and I really wish it was spring. I’m so ready for warmer weather and flowers and birds!
Beautiful post! 🙂
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Hey, Sharon. I was surprised when I looked at my books and the timing of them. Hadn’t been aware I’d skipped spring. Hope your spring comes soon. It’s been a rough winter for lots of folks. Thanks for stopping by.
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Hi Marsha,
i enjoyed your post and I think it would be a great idea to put a tornado in a story.
I have been hearing the cardinals singing near my window for a few weeks now. A house finch stopped by last week as well. Today, a morning dove announced he was back from wherever he had been spending his time. Of course, the blue jays never left. They bury their acorns in our containers and give us oak trees.
Ken
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Hey, Ken. I had to approve your comment and I was slow to notice the problem. So sorry.
I really should try to do the tornado thing. But they are sooooo scary. They sure affect a family to the point sometimes families can’t stay together.
Wow! You never lose the blue jays! Well, they are the tough guys around. My mother had doves make their nest in her fake plant on her patio. They came back for three years or so. It was very sweet. Thanks for stopping by.
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It’s funny more books aren’t set in spring, it’s the season of promise! Our cherry blossoms are in full swing here and the birds are loving it. My favorites are the hummingbirds, iridescent green and blue flashes of light, they’re so pretty!
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Hey, Jacquie. You’re right. Spring love and June marriage makes sense. LOL Wow, you have hummingbirds in the spring? We don’t get ours til summer, but I love em. We always hang a feeder out for them, and they come visit. Delightful. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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Yes, interesting question, Marsha. Since my series deals with the challenges firefighters and EMS people deal with, severe weather is often where you find them. The book I’m working on now will take place in Scotland. I’m trying to figure out the best season. I was there in the summer a few years ago. Awesome. BTW, in Colorado it’s warming up and the birds are everywhere. My Easter Lilies are about to bloom!
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Hey, McKenna. Scotland would be a great place for a setting, I think. Maybe because you were there in summer, if the story works then, you should set it in summer. I’m all about pulling from personal experiences, which you do I know in your wonderful stories. Easter Lilies about to bloom. How nice. We have daffodills, but I haven’t seen anything else yet. Thanks so much for stopping by and good luck with the Scotland story. 🙂
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Your post certainly made me think about why I chose different seasons for my book settings. Maybe mysteries and dark stories occur during the season with bad, bad, bad weather to enhance the atmosphere. Perhaps a lighthearted story would be best set in spring when the earth awakes from the dark winter? Wait, I have a murder mystery set in the spring. Hmmm…LOL
JQ Rose
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Hey, JQ. I was right with you there on your analysis, but then…LOL I think the main thing is to make sure the reader gets a “feel” for the season. Thanks so much for stopping by.
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