Let me apologize now, there will several moments in today’s blog when you will have to think, to come up with the answer for what I am talking about. Suck it Princesses
One of the many parts of our world that we take for granted is air.That which we breathe.
Atmosphere is a scientific term for the air around planet. Atmosphere also has other meanings:
at·mos·phereˈatməsˌfi(ə)r
noun
1.
the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet.
“part of the sun’s energy is absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere”
synonyms: air, aerospace; More
the air in any particular place. “we couldn’t breathe in the dusty atmosphere of his apartment” PHYSICS
a unit of pressure equal to mean atmospheric pressure at sea level, 101,325 pascals.
noun: atm 2.
the pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or work of art.
“the hotel is famous for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere”
All of these various definitions of Air are needed in a successful novel, at least that is what I think. For those of you that don’t think so, let me try and convince you.
In the novel Dune, you would have to agree that the atmosphere of the planet is critical to both the plot and more importantly in shaping our main characters. Yes, I am going to make you think and not spoon feed you the example. Think of the first time Paul sets foot on the planet Dune.
You doubters, or those of you that don’t read great sci-fi might need something in a popular genre. In Harry Potter, any of the books, we find many scenes where the Air/Atmosphere and how it changes, is critical to moving the story forward or conveying how the story is changing. Pick an example that you enjoy and insert it here. I think the point is made. If you are having trouble, remember the first time Harry is confronted by a Dementor.
In the novel I am trying to write, I realized today that I need to go back and put in the Air, the atmosphere of the story. Our Main Character, lives most of his life in a sterile germ free room away all other people. Early on in the novel, he has to live in the real world with all its smells, odors and sounds.
I have not done a good job of translating that from my mind to the words on the page.
The problem becomes how? How does one describe Air? How does that first kiss, “take your breath away”? What about the “dust from the storm threaten to suffocate them”?
I am sure there are many ways to deliver this critical part of the novel to the readers. The answer for me, for now, will be to have the characters impart this part of the novel.
And so, I offer a small tidbit, from the beginning from the novel.
“I always gag the first couple of seconds on a new planet, this one was no different. Its the smell. The reek of all the organic life. I hate it. The only consolation was that I knew that it would be gone, that I would kill the smell, just as I would sterilize the planet.”
Remember to Breathe
Be Well – dcd
dcdear 