The time of your story sets the mood. It’s a backdrop, a story setting. Weekends have different moods than weekdays.
There are several options to convey the spirit of time. If you’re writing a lot of life stories, you might want a broad selection of story settings. You’ll be pro at determining which description best fits each of your stories.
Different Ways to Tell the Time
Here are just a few ideas to set the time for your story.
A description of the sun
Where’s the sun in your story? Is it early morning, casting shadows? Is it directly overhead? It’s the oldest surviving timepiece. It modulates the mood of your whereabouts.
A description of a time in world history, your city, state or country
Consider this as a setting for your story. This includes war, disaster, administration, success and holidays.
A description of a season
Switch up sensory details. Describe something you smell, hear, feel or taste that explains the season or the date. Try for more than just visual depictions. Dry leaves underfoot. Champagne. The smell of chimneys in your neighborhood. Pops of firecrackers in the street.
A description of something punctual
Find something in the setting of your story that’s on time or runs on time. It can set the scene for hope and optimism or one of drudgery.
Photo by Craig Tidball via Unsplash