description of winter trees creative writing

Writing Nestling

How To Describe Winter Season In Writing (12 Best Ways, Adjectives& Quotes)

Describing the winter season in writing is an enchanting endeavor that allows words to transcend the boundaries of language and immerse the reader in a world of frosty wonder.

Winter’s crystalline landscapes, snow-laden boughs, and icy breath create a canvas upon which authors paint with vivid imagery and sensory details.

It’s a season of contrasts—of stark beauty and harsh conditions, introspection and celebration, solitude and togetherness.

In this exploration of how to encapsulate the essence of winter through words, we embark on a journey to capture the season’s profound impact on the natural world, human emotions, and daily life.

Join us as we delve into the art of storytelling amidst the snowflakes and chill, discovering the power of language to transport readers to the heart of winter’s enchantment.

Table of Contents

How To Describe Winter Season In Writing

Describing the winter season in writing involves creating a vivid and sensory-rich portrayal of this time of year. Here’s a step-by-step process on how to do it:

Observation and Note-taking

Start by observing the winter environment. Take notes on what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel during this season. Pay attention to the landscapes, weather, and activities associated with winter.

Setting the Scene

Begin your description by setting the scene. Describe the location and time of day. For example, “In the heart of a snow-covered forest on a crisp winter morning…”

Weather and Temperature

Mention the weather conditions. Is it snowing, sleeting, or just cold and clear? Use sensory words to convey the temperature, such as “biting cold” or “frosty.”

Landscape and Nature

Describe the natural elements. Mention the snow-covered trees, frozen lakes, icicles hanging from rooftops, or the crunch of snow beneath your feet. Use descriptive language to paint a picture of the winter landscape.

Sounds of Winter

Include the sounds of winter. Describe the quiet hush of falling snow, the crunch of boots on a snow-covered path, or the distant laughter of children playing in the snow.

Activities and Traditions

Write about the activities and traditions associated with winter. Mention sledding, building snowmen, ice skating, or holiday celebrations. Describe how people dress warmly and gather around the fire.

Sensory Details

Engage the reader’s senses. Use descriptive language to evoke the feeling of cold air on the skin, the taste of hot cocoa or spiced cider, the scent of pine trees, or the sight of twinkling holiday lights.

Emotions and Moods

Explore the emotions and moods that winter evokes. Talk about the coziness of being bundled up indoors, the sense of wonder as snow falls, or the nostalgia of the holiday season.

Metaphors and Similes

Consider using metaphors and similes to make your description more vivid. For example, “The snow-covered landscape was like a blank canvas waiting for the artist’s touch.”

Transitions and Flow

Ensure a smooth flow in your writing. Use transition words and phrases to connect your descriptions, so the reader can move seamlessly from one aspect of winter to another.

Editing and Polishing

Review and revise your writing for clarity, coherence, and conciseness. Eliminate unnecessary words and ensure your descriptions are engaging.

Wrap up your description by summarizing the essence of the winter season. Leave the reader with a lasting impression of what makes winter special or unique.

By following these steps, you can effectively describe the winter season in your writing , bringing it to life for your readers.

Adjectives Or Words To Describe Winter

Crisp: Winter air often feels crisp, with a sharp and refreshing quality that invigorates the senses. The cold temperatures contribute to this characteristic, creating a clear and clean atmosphere.

Frosty: Winter landscapes can be described as frosty, with a delicate layer of frozen dew or ice crystals covering surfaces, giving them a sparkling and magical appearance.

Snowy: One of the defining features of winter is the presence of snow. A snowy scene evokes a sense of purity and tranquility, transforming the environment into a soft, white wonderland.

Cozy: Winter is synonymous with cozy moments spent indoors by a warm fire, wrapped in blankets, and enjoying the comfort of home. This adjective captures the feeling of warmth and contentment during the colder months.

Serene: Winter landscapes often exude a sense of serenity, with quiet snow-covered surroundings and a calm stillness that can be both peaceful and contemplative.

Invigorating: The brisk, cold air of winter can be invigorating, awakening the senses and providing a refreshing contrast to the warmth of indoor spaces.

Whimsical: Winter can have a whimsical quality, especially when snowflakes fall gently, creating a dreamlike and enchanting atmosphere that feels almost magical.

Glistening: The sunlight reflecting off the snow and ice can make winter landscapes glisten, adding a touch of brilliance and sparkle to the scenery.

Majestic: Winter’s landscapes, with snow-covered trees and frost-laden branches, often evoke a sense of majesty and grandeur, transforming ordinary scenes into something extraordinary.

Enchanting: Winter possesses an enchanting quality, with its frosty beauty and the hushed stillness of snow-covered landscapes, captivating observers and creating a sense of wonder.

Quotes About Winter Season

Here are a few quotations about the winter season, along with references:

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”  (Edith Sitwell)

“Winter is the time of promise because there is so little to do – or because you can now and then permit yourself the luxury of thinking so.” (Stanley Crawford)

“A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky—unbidden—and seems like a thing of wonder.” (Susan Orlean)

“Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.” (John Boswell)

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” (Albert Camus)

Creating a Winter Wonderland

Creating a winter wonderland is like painting with nature’s own brush, a masterpiece forged from frost and magic.

As you step into this crystalline realm, the world transforms into a shimmering paradise. Each flake of snow, like a unique work of art, adorns the landscape with intricate designs.

The air is electric with the promise of quiet miracles, and every tree stands as a sentinel wrapped in glistening crystal armor.

Here, the world becomes a hushed symphony of nature’s whispers, inviting you to explore the enchantment hidden within the icy tapestry.

The power of sensory details

The power of sensory details lies in their ability to breathe life into words, transforming a mere description into a vivid and immersive experience for the reader.

When you evoke the senses of sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste in your writing, you engage the reader on a profound level.

With the stroke of a pen or the typing of keys, you can make them see the snow-capped mountains, hear the melodic chirping of birds, feel the cool breeze on their skin, catch the aroma of blooming flowers, or even taste the bittersweet nostalgia of a childhood memory.

These sensory elements not only enrich the narrative but also create an emotional connection, making the reader not just a passive observer but an active participant in the world you’ve crafted.

In the hands of a skilled writer, sensory details have the power to transcend words, leaving an indelible impression on the reader’s imagination.

Describing winter’s effect on the environment

Winter casts its enchanting spell upon the environment, turning the world into a breathtaking tableau of transformation.

As temperatures plummet and the first snowflakes descend, a serene hush blankets the land. Bodies of water, once teeming with life, now lie beneath a crystalline veneer, their surfaces frozen in stillness.

Windows become canvases for delicate frost patterns, resembling nature’s own intricate artwork. Architecture, too, undergoes a metamorphosis, with rooftops and branches heavy with snow, bending under its weight.

It’s a season of quiet marvels and serene beauty, where the environment, like a patient artist, surrenders to the gentle touch of winter, creating a surreal landscape where each element wears the cloak of frost and serenity.

Evoking Emotions and Atmosphere

Emotions are the symphony, and atmosphere the conductor in the grand opera of storytelling.

Just as a maestro’s baton commands the rise and fall of a musical masterpiece, a skilled writer wields their words to evoke emotions and shape the atmosphere within their narrative.

In the realm of words, we can craft a storm of heartache that drenches the reader with empathy or a sunbeam of joy that warms their very soul.

Through masterful storytelling, we can transport readers to the darkened alleyways of fear or the sunlit gardens of love.

Every paragraph becomes an enchanting melody that resonates in the reader’s heart, every word, a brushstroke on the canvas of their imagination.

To paint the palette of emotions and atmosphere is to awaken the dormant spirits within a story, inviting the reader to dance with the characters, breathe the air of foreign lands, and feel the tremors of emotions that pulse with life.

Winter as a time of introspection

Winter serves as an introspective cocoon, where the world retreats into a silent slumber, and our thoughts unfurl like dormant buds waiting for the warmth of spring.

The snow blankets the land in a quiet serenity, creating an almost otherworldly stillness. In these frozen moments, we find solace in self-reflection, as the bare trees and the chill in the air reflect the stripped-down simplicity of our own thoughts.

The world seems to whisper secrets, inviting us to delve into the depths of our inner landscapes. It’s a time when the crackling of a fireplace becomes an accompaniment to our inner musings, and the solitude of the snow-covered landscape mirrors the silent chambers of our hearts.

Winter, in all its stark beauty, is a sanctuary for introspection, a season that beckons us to delve into the frosty recesses of our souls, seeking clarity and renewal.

The feeling of nostalgia

Nostalgia is a bittersweet embrace of the past, a melody that tugs at the heartstrings, often catching us by surprise.

It’s the scent of an old, worn book, the familiar taste of a childhood dish, or the sepia-toned memories of yesteryears.

Nostalgia is a window into the cherished moments and the places we’ve left behind. It transports us to a time when life seemed simpler, or perhaps when we were different people altogether.

It’s a feeling that brings both comfort and a longing ache, like a familiar face in an old photograph, simultaneously grounding us in the past and reminding us of the inexorable march of time.

Nostalgia has the power to make the ordinary extraordinary, for within its embrace, even the most mundane memories become precious, like shards of a shattered mirror that reflect our lives, refracted through the lens of memory.

Weathering the Elements

Weathering the elements is a courageous dance with nature’s most formidable partners, where humanity and the environment engage in an intricate tango of resilience and adaptability.

The elements of wind, rain, snow, and sun become our tempestuous partners, each challenging us to find our balance on the ever-shifting stage of life.

The thrill of a thunderstorm, the serenity of a gentle snowfall, the relentless force of a hurricane—all these natural phenomena are a testament to the awe-inspiring power of the elements.

As we navigate their capricious moods, we discover our own tenacity, drawing strength from the tempests that test our mettle.

In weathering the elements, we become not just observers of nature’s grand performance, but participants in the ongoing drama of survival, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.

The dramatic tension of winter storms

Winter storms are nature’s grand theater productions, where the stage is set with an icy backdrop, and the players are wind, snow, and the restless sky.

There’s a palpable dramatic tension that builds as dark clouds gather, and the air grows heavy with anticipation.

As the first snowflakes descend, it’s as if the opening act has begun, a delicate overture that soon crescendos into a tempestuous symphony of howling winds and swirling snow. Each snowflake is a character in this epic narrative, vying for its place in the swirling plot.

The world becomes a hushed audience, witnessing the turmoil and the magnificence of a winter storm with bated breath.

Amid this turbulent performance, there’s an undeniable exhilaration, a thrilling sense of nature’s raw power and the fragility of our human existence.

Winter storms are both a spectacle and a reminder of the forces that shape our world, a captivating drama that leaves us in awe of the beauty and chaos of the natural world.

Human interaction with winter

Human interaction with winter is a remarkable tapestry of adaptation and celebration, a testament to our indomitable spirit.

In the face of biting cold and relentless snowfall, we don our warmest attire and venture into the frosty embrace of this season.

From the laughter of children building snowmen to the grace of ice skaters on frozen ponds, we seize the opportunity to revel in the unique activities that winter bestows upon us.

Yet, this interaction also bears the weight of responsibility, as we navigate treacherous roads and prepare for the challenges of snow removal.

Winter is a season that demands both reverence and resilience, where the human spirit shines brightly, illuminating the darkest days with our resourcefulness, creativity, and the warmth of community.

The impact of winter on daily life

The impact of winter on daily life is an intricate interplay of challenge and charm, where the world outside transforms into a breathtaking wonderland while our routines undergo adjustments.

The shorter days and longer nights compel us to adapt, embracing the cozy sanctuary of home and the warmth of shared moments with loved ones.

From the practicality of shoveling driveways and navigating icy streets to the joy of curling up by the fireplace with a good book, winter’s influence weaves its way into every facet of our existence.

It calls for extra layers, hot beverages, and the soothing embrace of comfort food.

In these chilly months, we become both the beneficiaries of nature’s artistry and the architects of our own winter stories, each day a new page to be written in the diary of a season where the world slows down, offering us a chance to savor life’s simpler pleasures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about How To Describe Winter Season In Writing

What is the best way to start a description of the winter season in writing.

Begin by setting the scene. Describe the location and time of day, creating a clear and vivid starting point for your readers.

How can I effectively convey the weather and temperature of winter in my writing?

Use descriptive language to depict the weather conditions and temperature. Words like “snowy,” “icy,” “chilly,” and “freezing” can help paint a clear picture.

What are some key elements of the winter landscape to include in my description?

Mention snow-covered trees, frozen bodies of water, icicles hanging from surfaces, and any other distinctive features of the winter environment in your description.

How can I make my writing about winter more sensory-rich?

Engage the reader’s senses by describing what can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, and even tasted during the winter season. Mention the sounds of snowfall, the feeling of cold air, the scent of evergreen trees, and the taste of seasonal treats.

What emotions and moods should I explore when writing about winter?

Delve into emotions like coziness, wonder, nostalgia, or even the sense of isolation that winter can bring. These emotions can help create a more well-rounded description.

Should I use metaphors and similes when describing winter?

Metaphors and similes can be powerful tools to make your descriptions more vivid. For example, you could liken a snowy landscape to a pristine canvas or a white blanket.

How do I maintain a smooth flow when describing the winter season in writing?

Use transition words and phrases to connect different aspects of your description. This will ensure that your writing flows smoothly from one detail to the next.

What is the best way to conclude a description of the winter season?

In your conclusion, summarize the essence of the winter season and leave the reader with a lasting impression of what makes winter special or unique.

How can I make my description of winter stand out and feel unique?

Focus on the distinctive elements of winter that resonate with you. Highlight what sets this season apart in your eyes, whether it’s the serenity of falling snow or the festive spirit of the holidays.

Any tips for editing and polishing my winter descriptions?

After writing, carefully review your work for clarity, coherence, and conciseness. Eliminate unnecessary words and ensure your descriptions are engaging and captivating for your audience.

In the tapestry of literature, the winter season serves as a remarkable thread, weaving its unique charm into the fabric of storytelling.

As we conclude this exploration of how to describe winter in writing , we are reminded of the enduring power of words to evoke the beauty, complexity, and emotions of this enchanting season.

Through vivid imagery, sensory details, and the exploration of winter’s impact on both the environment and the human experience, we have glimpsed the magic of this time of year.

The icy landscapes, cozy firesides, and moments of introspection have been laid bare through the art of the written word, inviting readers to partake in the wonders of winter.

In the hands of a skilled writer, winter becomes more than just a season—it becomes a canvas upon which stories are painted with the brushstrokes of imagination, where the snowflakes themselves whisper secrets and the chill in the air holds untold mysteries.

The ability to describe winter in writing is a precious gift, allowing us to share the enchantment of this season with the world and to celebrate its enduring allure.

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Categories Vocabulary Boosters

When writing about nature, you will probably need to use words to describe trees; to properly capture the scene or event. The easiest way to approach this is by using words to describe the appearance of the tree.

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1000+ Ways to Describe Snow Part 1: A Word List for Writers

Snow: Supernatural?

“The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?” ~ J. B. Priestly

Where is enchantment to be found? In stories, and some of those stories may become even more enchanting with the inclusion of snow.

Today’s post is the first of two that offer ways to incorporate snow in creative writing.

See also 1000+ Ways to Describe Snow Part 2 .

Adjectives to Describe Snow

Adjectives are often the first resource exploited by writers. As you experiment with words in this section, heed opinion adjectives and stacked modifiers .

A abominable, abundant, accumulated, advancing, ageless, airborne, alpine, ankle-deep, appalling, approaching, arctic, artificial, autumnal

B bad, barren, beautiful , belated, belly-deep, billowed, billowing, biting, blasted, bleak, blinding, bloodstained, bonnie, bottomless, bright, brittle, bumpy, bygone

C changeless, chaotic, cheerless, chest-deep, chilling, choppy, clammy, clean, cloud-soft, cohesive, cold, compacted, compressed, concealing, congealed, constant, continuous, cottony, crisp, cruel, crumbly, crunchy, crusted, crusty, crystalline, cushiony

D and E damp, dazzling, deathly, deep, dense, desolate, dingy, dirty, distant, domed, downy, dreaded, dreary, drifting, dry, dusty, dwindling, early, elusive, encircling, encrusted, endless, enveloping, ephemeral, eternal, evanescent, everlasting, evil, extraordinary

F fake, fallen, falling, faux, feathery, featureless, fierce, filmy, filthy, fine, firm, flaky, fleecy, flinty, flocculent, floury, fluffy, flying, foamy, foggy, forbidding, forecasted, formidable, frequent, fresh, friable, frigid, frothy, fun, furious, furrowed

G gentle, ghostly, glacial, glaring, glassy, glazed, gleaming, glinting, glistening, glistering, glittering, gorgeous, gory, grainy, granular, granulated, gravely, grimy, gritty, groomed, grubby, gummy, gusting

H and I half-melted, hard, hardened, hated, heavy, high, hip-high, honeycombed, icy, immaculate, immeasurable, impassable, impending, implacable, incessant, indefatigable, inevitable, infernal, inhospitable, interminable, intermittent, inviting, iridescent

J to L jewel studded, knee -deep, lacy, lasting, late, layered, leaden, leftover, light, limitless, liquefied, looming, loose, lovely, low-lying, luminous, lumpy, lustrous

M to O magnificent, majestic, matted, mealy, measurable, melted, melting, merciless, miserable, moderate, moist, moonlit, muddied, muddy, mushy, nasty, nearby, neck-deep, never-ending, new, numbing, occasional, old, omnipresent, oncoming, orographic, overlying, overnight

P to R packed, patchy, pathless, pelting, penetrating, perennial, permanent, perpetual, persistent, phosphorescent, pillow-soft, pillowy, pitiless, plastic, plentiful, plowed, polluted, porous, powdered, powdery, pretty, pristine, prolonged, puffy, punctual, pure, raging, rain-saturated, receding, reflecting, refreshing, relentless, reliable, remaining, ridged, rimed, rippled, ruthless, rutted

Sa to Sm salty, sandy, savage, scant, scattered, sculpted, seamless, seasonal, seeping, semipermanent, serene, shadowy, shallow, sheeted, shifting, shiny, silent, silken, simulated, skiable, sleety, slick, slimy, slippery, sloshy, sludgy, smooth, smothering

So to Su soaked, sodden, soft, softening, soggy, soiled, solidified, soppy, sparkling, sparkly, sparse, spectral, spongy, spotless, spotty, spring, squeaky, star-studded, starlit, sticky, stifling, stinging, streaming, strong, sudden, sugary, summer, sun-kissed, sunless, sunlit, superincumbent, surrounding

T tempestuous, terrible, terrific, textured , thawing, thick, thin, threatening, toxic, track-filled, trackless, trampled, treacherous, twilit

U ubiquitous, unblemished, unbroken, uncleared, undisturbed, unending, uneven, unexpected, ungroomed, uninterrupted, uninviting, unmarked, unmarred, unpacked, unplowed, unpolluted, unpredictable, unpredicted, unrelenting, unseasonal, unspoiled, unstable, unstained, unsullied, unswept, untimely, untouched, untracked, unwelcome, unyielding

V to Y velvety, vengeful, violent, virgin, waterlogged, watery, waxy, well-trampled, wet, whispering, wild, windblown, wind-driven, windswept, winter, wispy, wondrous, wooly, year-round, yielding

Snow Similes and Metaphors

Sometimes a figure of speech adds the perfect touch. Be careful not to overdo, though. Provide enough imagery to stimulate the imagination, but not so much that you slow action or bore readers.

Watch everything and everyone around you. Pay attention to visual media, and note phrasing in books. Your scrutiny will inspire new ideas.

Here are a few phrases to stimulate your creativity.

• a blanket of melancholy
• a carpet of cotton batting
• a colorless shroud
• a crispy meringue tipped with brown
• a fluffy featherbed
• a garden of ice
• a lacy tablecloth with flowers and grass peeping through
• a landscape frosted with sweet whiteness
• a serial killer, silent, stalking, waiting to thrust its cold knife into the countryside
• a wooly white duvet
• an avalanche of icy death
• an onslaught of white, blinding and freezing
• as cold as someone’s icy heart
• as inevitable as polar nights
• as quiet and soft as an angel’s wings
• as rare as ice cubes in Hell
• as sparse as the hair on someone’s balding skull
• as welcome as rain at a summer barbeque
• as white as someone’s lies
• cookie-sized confetti
• dirty lather soaping the city
• disappearing as quickly as dew in the desert
• feathers of white creating a downy nest in every hollow
• fluttering white moths kissing noses and chins
• muddy and slushy snow-gravy
• powdered gems sparkling in the sun
• soft as a lover’s kiss
• sparkling gems floating onto flower and face
• stardust sprinkling over a Milky Way of upturned faces
• white concrete
• white waves rippling over the fields

The Colors of Snow

Snow is often multicolored. Shadows, foreign substances, variable lighting, and other conditions change its tint. It might be shadow-dappled, blue-spattered, mud-stained, or smoke-streaked, for example.

Consider the following ten phrases as a foundation for creating multicolored descriptions of snow.

• [insert color or colorful object]-dappled
• [insert color or colorful object]-dotted
• [insert color or colorful object]-flecked
• [insert color or colorful object]-pocked
• [insert color or colorful object]-spattered
• [insert color or colorful object]-splattered
• [insert color or colorful object]-spotted
• [insert color or colorful object]-stained
• [insert color or colorful object]-stippled
• [insert color or colorful object]-streaked

If you need a single color, try one of the following.

A to M ashen, black, bloody, blue green, bluish, brown, brownish, candy-colored [due to algae growth], cement grey, crimson, down grey, empurpled, filthy grey, glare white, golden, green, grey, greyish, gritty grey, hoary (greyish white), mauve

O to Y off color, orange, pallid, pearlescent, pearly, pink, purple, red [from iron oxide], red with blood, roseate, rosy, ruddy, sidewalk grey, silver, silvery, sooty, watermelon pink [due to algae growth], white, yellow, yellowish

See also 1000+ Ways to Describe Colors .

Snow Scents

Although snow is frozen water and shouldn’t have an inherent smell, most people and animals can detect a snowstorm before it hits. Their noses respond to a number of factors, including the increase in humidity.

Characters will experience different olfactory stimuli depending on location and time period. A visitor to Disneyland could smell cinnamon from churros (What? Snow in Disneyland? Story fodder.) But a resident of the 1800s might smell coal fires.

If someone claims that snow smells like apple pie, they’re likely standing next to a bakery or Grandma’s cooling shelf.

The colder the temperature, the more subdued the scent of air. But snow still absorbs scents from the environment, especially when partially melted.

I have seen adjectives like the following used by writers when describing the scent of snow: fresh, fragrant, humid, odorous, perfumed, and stagnant.

However, English provides a myriad of words to choose from. Snow might smell like, reek of, or be redolent with the scent of:

A to D algae, almonds (cyanide), apple pie, bacon, a bakery, a barbeque, a barn, blood, booze, burning [leaves, plastic, rubber], brushfires, a busy highway, campfires, Christmas, cinnamon, clean laundry, coal fires, coffee, compost, decaying [fill in the blank], diesel, dirt, dog poop

E to M exhaust fumes, fire, fir trees, a forest, fresh laundry, gasoline, ghetto, gingerbread, Grandma’s kitchen, gunpowder, horse manure, incense, iron, jasmine, kitty litter, landfill, the mountains, mud, musk ox, musty leaves

O to W an oil refinery, an outhouse, ozone, peppermint, pig manure, pine trees, a polecat, pollution, a pulp mill, roasting [chicken, pork, turkey], rotten cabbage, sewer, skunk, smog, spruce trees, sulfur, Thanksgiving, vomit, warming cars, wastewater treatment plant, wet grass, woodsmoke, wolf, wolverine

Snow: So Much More Than Freezing Water

“We love the sight of the brown and ruddy earth; it is the color of life, while a snow-covered plain is the face of death. Yet snow is but the mask of the life-giving rain; it, too, is the friend of man, the tender, sculpturesque, immaculate, warming, fertilizing snow.” ~ John Burroughs

Does Your WIP Include Snow?

If your story unfolds in a desert, you could generate intrigue with the addition of wintry precipitation. What would cause snowflakes in the middle of the Sahara? Why would an SUV have ice encrusted on its undercarriage?

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10 thoughts on “ 1000+ Ways to Describe Snow Part 1: A Word List for Writers ”

I am writing a book based on a cold forest and I was really in search of some good metaphors and vocab which could elevate that particular part of the book and I think this page has really helped me a lot. Thank you so much, the selection of words and phrases is quiet unique here.

I’m so glad this post was helpful for you, Biren, and good luck with your book!

This is wonderful. Thanks so much.

Thanks for stopping by, Lori. Good luck with your writing!

Hello. I am writing a murder mystery that takes place in the Rocky Mountains. I live in ice and snow during the winter, and so appreciate this list of snow metaphors and descriptors!

My pleasure, Donna. Good luck with your murder mystery. Now is the perfect time of year to see, feel, hear, taste, and smell snow and ice — especially in the Rocky Mountains.

Kathy—This is just wonderful! You’ve demonstrated—with examples—the richness of associations a gifted writer can bring to her work.

Your post brings to mind Smilla’s Sense of Snow by Danish author, Peter Høeg. Have you read it? The flinty, intelligent heroine is from Greenland and part Eskimo. She is a deeply knowledgable about the properties of snow and uses that knowledge to solve a murder and ultimately expose a conspiracy to steal Greenland’s vast mineral riches. One of the first Scandi noir novels, it was also made into quite a good movie starring Julia Ormond and Gabriel Byrne.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0385315147/

Thanks, Ruth. I hadn’t heard about the book until now. Sounds intriguing. The link you gave went to a page that shows it as unavailable for purchase, so I tracked it down and took the liberty of modifying the URL. Smilla’s Sense of Snow is now on my Amazon wish list.

I appreciate the heads-up!

Kathy – I always look forward to these wonderful descriptions for just about everything! When I get the emails that say “100 Ways to Describe…”, I always leap on top of it and open the web page up and save it to my bookmarks!!! I’m currently writing a book and your works help me in so many ways and you, as an Author, have inspired me to keep writing! Thank you for all that you do! You are AMAZING!

Thank you, and Have a wonderful Holiday! Rebecca Kroll

PS: I have both of your Lexicon books! I wish there were more!

Thanks, Rebecca. What a wonderful way to start my day — even better than coffee. Good luck with your writing, and you have a wonderful holiday too!

P.S. I’m working on The Writer’s Body Lexicon . It’ll be out early next year.

Search for creative inspiration

19,890 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,964 themes

Winter - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

• Autumn to winter
• cold weather
• cold winter
• condensation
• first day of winter
• mild winter
• red berries
• seasonal change
• snow clouds
• snowball fight
• warm winter
• winter landscape
• winter leaves
• winter months
• winter season
• winter storm
• winter sunset
• winter trees
• winter wonderland
• winters day
• wintry wind

Winter comes as a hearth song bequeathed by black cradled stars.

Winter arrives, an icy serenade, a coolness to bring out the warmth within.

The winter sun brought out the purity of the heaven-given snow, as if were a blank page for our merriment, inviting the feet to play and the spirit to laugh.

This winter I'm gonna win. Let the ice crackle underfoot, for it is nothing as compared to this warm heart and the fire burning within, that steady pilot flame. That's the thing about these tough times, the most loving win because we dig in, we get determined when the greedy cut and run. So, that winter wind with its toothy bite is nothing but excitement to me.

The winter is such crystalline joy, those brilliant rays that show the uniqueness of every snowflake. It is the time of puddles that become transient skating rinks and for my thoughts to remain cozy within a woollen hat. It is the time when the sunniest of days are warm even in when I can see my breath rise as neat and pure vapour. It is the days of quiet poetry forming in my soul as if it calls to the spring flowers that will soon blossom.

The wintry sun is the brightness of the day, taking centre stage as the blooms of the summertime become a part of the soil. The sunshine and cold, the sparkle and the ice, somehow warm even when the north wind bites. There will be days I wish to stay in the warm, to observe from a duvet, fingers wrapped snuggly around some cocoa... yet somedays the winter takes my hand and shows me its beauty, that in truth, it is but the dawn of spring.

The river appears still, yet she flows under the thinnest of ice, awaiting the gentle touch of the sun. Though the air bares only the coldness and the ground is frozen once more, they glitter with the gift of each nascent ray. It is as if God ensured there would be hope even on the deepest and most wintry of days, asking us to see the sparks that remain even when the world is frozen. And so I choose not to see the blanket of ice but the waters that remain deep and moving, ever onward to join the ocean in its slow yet sure way.

Wintry trees stand as ballet dancers poised to show the world their grace, strength showing in how they remain so still in the seasonal gusts. Now that the leaves have fallen, they are so proud, as if their silvery-brown skin was their glory all along. I lift my head into the wind, eyes open for this softly lit day. Cold is good if you are warm inside, just the same as we love ice in the summer time.

Before the cold winds come to breathe our world anew, before snow makes our familiar streets a canvas for dreams, I see each sculpted flake with eyes at rest, the chaotic dance of billions uniting over the earth. These daydreams are my hearth-fire, bringing the hint of a newborn smile, one that lifts every part of what I am. I ask the icy wind to bring me to higher senses, to wake within that which rested in the easy summer days; for in these dreams are wintry puddles, silver-blue in the path, as if they were nascent moons born to shine. Then, as if I can contain this energy surge no-longer, I run... I run past trees with skin the hue of spring soil, through shadow and light just the same.

Upon each tree born wand, naked from winter's rasp, come the buds of spring. Each tells of green leaves to come, or the sweet blossom within. Even as cold winds blow, they are such embryonic joy.

As the long summer days linger in our memories, nature rests her rainbow palette. In their place she brings out the colours of beach and woodland, soothing us into a quiet reflection. We walk through pictures shown so beautifully by the winter sun; each as bathed in love as the one before. Be it the blue of sea or sky, or every shade of brown from almost white to almost black, it brings a peaceful harmony. Yet in this choir of colours, mother nature keeps by a little green, a little red, for the holly tree, the evergreens and robins. And after this rest, this deep breath of cool fresh air, we are ready for the sweet mischief of spring.

Under a dove grey sky the colours of my world don their winter coats, each hue darker and richer than before. The path sparkles and crunches, like sugar underfoot, and the coolness brings me right into the now, into the moment of life. Though the flowers sleep and the trees show their lofty arms once more, a smile plays upon these cold lips. For as much as I love the summertime, I love the winter too. For every perfume of the meadow, there is the earthy loam of the newly-lit forest floor.

There is a warmth that tumbles out in the winter time; when all else is so cold. It radiates from those who love and nurture as easily as they breathe. In truth, the sparks of warmth are always there no matter the season, just like a warm rock blends into a summer beach, yet melts winter ice.

The air is frozen lace on my skin, delicate and cold, like winter waves on sallow sand. The sky is washed with grey, watery light illuminating thin patches to brilliance. In some moments I am watching my boots over the frozen sidewalk, perfect concrete slabs, flat and square, and in others transfixed to the interplay of cloud and sun above. For some reason my mind conjures a stone mosaic made beautiful by the shards of a mirror and I want to keep my eyes heaven bound while my imagination makes them one thing. Only the slipping of my feet brings my attention earthward once more, the need to stay upright pulling my mind into the present.

The rain has lost the ambient temperature of early fall, freezing and paling my skin on contact. The path through the park is muddy water in motion, filling deep puddles that hide the ruts of dryer weather. To feel it isn't enjoyment, not fun like the gentle sunshine of springtime, yet it is a part of life and I want to feel it just the same. I want to experience each drop, together and apart, same and different. I want to see the droplets soaking my eyelashes before they join their brethren on the ground like saltless tears. I need to be in this, chaotic and wild, just like my mind and soul - like nature looked right into me and pulled the weather out.

Though the winter had been long, the first signs of spring grew boldly, as if commanding the warm weather to come all the faster. It was as if the teeth of winter had shattered and the kiss of a new season approached. Joanna breathed in deeply, so wanting the pretty flowers and blossoms that she could almost smell the promise of their fragrance. Just to imagine the change of season relaxed her and she walked down the wide avenue with her favourite, her steps bolder than they had ever been before.

Even on the coldest days of winter the sun is bright in the sky, bringing joy to my heart. The snow has a purity that elevates my spirit, the world made as pristine as a book ready for new stories. Already my creativity is surging, dancing around the evergreens with the delight of a child. Even the coldness upon my face is refreshing, my body cozy inside a warm coat.

Under the wintry air and the sky that has born black clouds since November came, the harbour is as grey as a newspaper picture. The sea has given up her blue, the stones show no russet colours and the boats have taken on the monochrome look of old movies. Even the air tastes more dull. The wind whips salt into eyelashes and onto exposed skin and all the while the trams run along the beachside with a clatter and whir.

For years I had lived winter and summer in separate houses, believing them to be both necessary to my wellbeing. Yet truly, my heart was in my summer house and this time, when winter called, I refused with a simple shake of my head. The months rolled by regardless and snow did fall on my summer house. In my tall boots I strode out to meet the world made anew and clapped my hands for joy, for the sight of the home I only associated with the warm weather was prettier than my imagination had ever conjured before. That year new life was breathed into my bones and I chose my summer home to be my only one.

The naked winter trees line the avenue. Our breath rises in visible puffs to join the darkened clouded night sky. There is a freezing chill in the air that brings crispness to the leaves, bejewelled with frost, that crunch underfoot. Rosy cheeked, we stamp to keep warm, pulling woollen hats over our reddened ears and tightening scarves over our blue-tinged lips. Teeth chatter and the cold seeps into our gloves numbing our fingers until they cease to bend properly, stiffened and frigid. Suddenly the illuminated sign on the bus appears, trundling slowly down the icy black road and we raise our arms to hail it.

The snow comes, white and glistening, erasing the troubles beneath, directing me toward a new and positive day. The coldness only crispens up my resolve to find love today. Perhaps in this swirling perfect whiteness that gives crystalline kisses, the coolness in the air will rejuvenate my soul, elevate my spirit and give me new reasons to step forward with confidence. It might be winter but there is beauty in it, clarity, the kind of thinking that lets me notice small details like how the trees though bare have the promise of spring within them, like the creator Himself lies dormant in the branches, ready to burst forth and greet the world with His many hues of green.

Mama always made her home-made soups and stews on those crisp winter days. The stew would warm us down to our toes, radiating the kind of glow that only her hearty food could give.

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News, Notes, Talk

Let it snow: 6 of the best descriptions of winter weather in literature.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful! But the reading is so delightful… Weather (sorry) or not you love the snow—blanketing your driveway, stalling your subway lines—it’s hard to deny that there have been some pretty darn good descriptions of it in literature, the kind that make you want to curl up by the fire (or, in my case, the space heater). Personally, I think I like winter weather best when it’s on the page and not the thing standing between me and the closest bar or the corner bodega when I’m out of popcorn. In an attempt to reframe the cold months ahead for myself, I have assembled some of the most beautiful/relatable descriptions of snow I could find in fiction. Perhaps now I will think of it as one of these instead of being irrationally irritated by Mother Nature’s cruel attempts to curb my snacking and my social life. So, here we go: let it snow! Sit down with these delightfully icy passages, and keep the hot cocoa coming.

From Leo Tolstoy’s  Anna Karenina :

At first she was unable to read. To begin with she was bothered by the bustle and movement; then, when the train started moving, she could not help listening to the noises; then the snow that beat against the left-hand window and stuck to the glass, and the sight of the conductor passing by, all bundled up and covered with snow on one side, and the talk about the terrible blizzard outside, distracted her attention. Further on it was all the same; the same jolting and knocking, the same snow on the window, the same quick transitions from steaming heat to cold and back to heat, the same flashing of the same faces in the semi-darkness, and the same voices, and Anna began to read and understand what she was reading.

From Italo Calvino’s   If on a winter’s night a traveler :

So here I am walking along this empty surface that is the world. There is a wind grazing the ground, dragging with flurries of fine snow the last residue of the vanished world: a bunch of ripe grapes which seems just picked from the vine, an infant’s woolen bootee, a well-oiled hinge, a page that seems torn from a novel written in Spanish, with a woman’s name: Amaranta. Was it a few seconds ago that everything ceased to exist, or many centuries? I’ve already lost any sense of time.

From Ali Smith’s  Winter :

And here instead’s another version of what was happening that morning, as if from a novel in which Sophia is the kind of character she’d choose to be, prefer to be, a character in a much more classic sort of story, perfectly honed and comforting, about how sombre yet bright the major-symphony of winter is and how beautiful everything looks under a high frost, how every grassblade is enhanced and silvered into individual beauty by it, how even the dull tarmac of the roads, the paving under our feet, shines when the weather’s been cold enough and how something at the heart of us, at the heart of all our cold and frozen states, melts when we encounter a time of peace on earth, goodwill to all men; a story in which there is no room for severed heads; a work in which Sophia’s perfectly honed minor-symphony modesty and narrative decorum complement the story she’s in with the right kind of quiet wisdom-from-experience ageing-female status, making it a story that’s thoughtful, dignified, conventional in structure thank God, the kind of quality literary fiction where the slow drift of snow across the landscape is merciful, has a perfect muffling decorum of its own, snow falling to whiten, soften, blur and prettify even further a landscape where there are no heads divided from bodies hanging around in the air or anywhere, either new ones, from new atrocities or murders or terrorisms, or old ones, left over from old historic atrocities and murders and terrorisms and bequeathed to the future as if in old French Revolution baskets, their wickerwork brown with the old dried blood, placed on the doorsteps of the neat and central-heating-interactive houses of now with notes tied to the handles saying please look after this head thank you […]

From Donna Tartt’s  The Secret History : 

The snow in the mountains was melting and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to understand the gravity of our situation.

From Kelly Link’s  Stranger Things Happen :

The next day it was snowing and he went out for a pack of cigarettes and never came back. You sat on the patio drinking something warm and alcoholic, with nutmeg in it, and the snow fell on your shoulders. You were wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt; you were pretending that you weren’t cold, and that your lover would be back soon. You put your finger on the ground and then stuck it in your mouth. The snow looked like sugar, but it tasted like nothing at all.

From Charles Dickens’  A Christmas Carol :

Holly, mistletoe, red berries, ivy, turkeys, geese, game, poultry, brawn, meat, pigs, sausages, oysters, pies, puddings, fruit, and punch, all vanished instantly. So did the room, the fire, the ruddy glow, the hour of night, and they stood in the city streets on Christmas morning where (for the weather was severe) the people made a rough, but brisk and not unpleasant kind of music, in scraping the snow from the pavement in front of their dwellings, and from the tops of their houses, whence it was mad delight to the boys to see it come plumping down into the road below, and splitting into artificial little snow-storms.

The house fronts looked black enough, and the windows blacker, contrasting with the smooth white sheet of snow upon the roofs, and with the dirtier snow upon the ground; which last deposit had been ploughed up in deep furrows by the heavy wheels of carts and wagons; furrows that crossed and re-crossed each other hundreds of times where the great streets branched off; and made intricate channels, hard to trace, in the thick yellow mud and icy water. The sky was gloomy, and the shortest streets were choked up with a dingy mist, half thawed, half frozen, whose heavier particles descended in a shower of sooty atoms, as if all the chimneys in Great Britain had, by one consent, caught fire, and were blazing way to their dear hearts’ content. There was nothing very cheerful in the climate of the town, and yet was there an air of cheerfulness abroad that the clearest summer air and brightest summer sun might have endeavoured to diffuse in vain.

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Winter Describing Words: A Comprehensive List for Your Writing Needs

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on September 27, 2023

Categories Writing , Creative Writing

Winter is a season that is often associated with cold temperatures, snow, and a variety of outdoor activities. It’s a time of year when people bundle up in warm clothing and indulge in hot cocoa, cozy blankets, and indoor activities.

One of the ways to describe winter is through its vocabulary and descriptive words.

Understanding winter vocabulary and descriptive words can help you better communicate your experiences and feelings during this season. Whether you love winter or hate it, there are many words that can help you describe it.

From chilly and frosty to blustery and bleak, winter has a unique set of characteristics that make it stand out from the other seasons. This article is an aide memoir for writers, when featuring this season in their writing.

Key Takeaways

• Winter has a unique set of characteristics that make it stand out from other seasons.
• Understanding winter vocabulary and descriptive words can help you better communicate your experiences and feelings during this season.
• From chilly and frosty to blustery and bleak, winter has a variety of descriptive words that can help you describe it.

Winter Vocabulary and Describing Words

Winter is a season that brings with it a unique set of experiences and emotions. It’s a time of year when the world around us transforms into a snowy wonderland, and the air becomes crisp and refreshing.

To help you better describe this season, we’ve compiled a list of winter vocabulary and describing words that you can use to bring your writing to life.

One of the most effective ways to describe winter is through the use of adjectives. Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns, and they can help you paint a vivid picture of the winter landscape. Here are some adjectives that you can use to describe winter:

• Bone-chilling

In addition to adjectives, there are many winter-specific words that you can use to describe the season. These words can help you create a more immersive and detailed picture of the winter landscape. Here are some winter vocabulary words that you can use:

• Arctic animals
• Blowing snow
• Cabin fever
• Cross-country skiing
• Downhill skiing
• Ice fishing
• Ice skating
• Snowboarding
• Snowshoeing
• Winter sports

Understanding Winter

Winter is one of the four seasons, which typically lasts from December to February in the Northern Hemisphere. During this season, the weather becomes colder, and the days become shorter. The winter season is characterized by snow, ice, and freezing temperatures.

Winter is a time of rest and renewal for many plants and animals. Many trees lose their leaves, and many animals hibernate to conserve energy. Winter is also a time for outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating.

The winter season can be challenging for some people, especially those who live in areas with severe winter weather. Cold temperatures, snow, and ice can make it difficult to travel and perform everyday tasks. It’s important to take precautions during the winter season to stay safe and healthy.

To prepare for the winter season, people have warm clothing, such as a coat, hat, gloves, and boots. They also stock up on non-perishable food and bottled water in case of a power outage or other emergency.

Overall, winter is a beautiful and transformative season that offers many opportunities for rest, renewal, and outdoor activities.

Physical Characteristics of Winter

Winter is a season that is characterized by its distinct physical features. In this section, we will explore the colors of winter, winter weather patterns, temperature, and climate.

Colors of Winter

Winter is often associated with the color white, which represents the snow that covers the ground during this season. The snow can also create a sparkling effect when the sun shines on it, which adds to the beauty of winter. However, winter is not just about white.

The season can also be characterized by shades of blue, gray, and black, which are often associated with the dark and overcast skies that are common during this time of year.

Winter Weather Patterns

Winter weather patterns can vary depending on the location. However, some common weather patterns associated with winter include snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and frost.

Winter is also known for its foggy and misty conditions, which can create a sense of mystery and beauty. In some areas, winter can bring blizzards and snowstorms, which can be dangerous and disruptive.

Temperature and Climate

Winter is a season that is associated with cold temperatures. In some areas, temperatures can drop below zero, which can be dangerous if you are not properly dressed. The Arctic is a region that is known for its frigid temperatures, which can reach as low as -70 degrees Celsius.

However, winter is not just about cold temperatures. It can also be characterized by crisp and refreshing weather, which can be invigorating.

Winter Clothing

Materials used.

The materials used in winter clothing play a crucial role in keeping folk warm. Here are some common materials used in winter clothing:

Winter Holidays and Traditions

Winter is a season of holidays and traditions. From Christmas to Hanukkah, Kwanzaa to New Year’s Eve, there are many celebrations that take place during the winter months. These holidays are often associated with cold weather, snow, and cozy indoor activities.

One of the most popular winter holidays is Christmas. It is celebrated on December 25th and is a time for family and friends to come together and exchange gifts. Many people decorate their homes with Christmas lights, wreaths, and trees. Some people also attend church services or participate in other religious traditions.

Another popular winter tradition is drinking hot cocoa or eggnog by the fireplace. These warm drinks are perfect for cold winter nights and can be enjoyed alone or with friends and family. Some people also enjoy roasting marshmallows or chestnuts over an open fire.

If you live in a place with a lot of snow, you might enjoy outdoor winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, or ice skating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some adjectives that describe the feeling of winter.

Winter can be described as chilly, cold, frosty, crisp, biting, and refreshing. It’s a season that can feel invigorating and energizing, but also harsh and unforgiving.

What are some unique and ancient words used to describe winter?

There are many unique and ancient words used to describe winter. For example, the Old English word “hrim” means frost, and the Finnish word “kaamos” refers to the period of darkness that occurs during the winter months. Other interesting words include “hygge” (a Danish word meaning cozy and comfortable) and “brumal” (a rare English word meaning wintery).

What are some common winter nouns used to describe the season?

Common winter nouns include snow, ice, frost, blizzard, chill, and darkness. These words are often used to describe the weather and conditions that are typical of the winter season.

How can winter be described in writing?

Winter can be described in many ways, depending on the writer’s perspective and the purpose of the writing. Some writers might focus on the beauty of snow-covered landscapes, while others might describe the challenges of navigating icy roads and sidewalks. Descriptive language can help convey the sights, sounds, and sensations of winter, whether it’s the crunch of snow underfoot or the howling of the wind.

What are some cozy words used to describe winter?

Cozy words used to describe winter include snuggly, warm, toasty, comfortable, and inviting. These words evoke feelings of comfort and relaxation, and are often associated with activities like curling up with a good book, drinking hot cocoa by the fire, or spending time with loved ones.

What are some adjectives used to describe snow?

Snow can be described as fluffy, powdery, icy, slushy, wet, and heavy. These adjectives help convey the texture and consistency of snow, as well as its impact on the environment and daily life.

BRYN DONOVAN

tell your stories, love your life

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Master List for Describing Weather

A lot of writers struggle with describing settings. I’ve written before about how to describe settings and why it matters , but a few people have told me they’d like me to do some of my master lists for writers to help them out!

I have a weird love for creating lists like this, so I’m happy to do it. “How to describe weather” seemed like a good place to start. This way, you won’t get stuck trying to figure out how to describe nice weather, or thinking up ways to describe rain. Hopefully, this will make your writing go faster.

I always include simple as well as more creative ways to describe or write about weather. Sometimes, the simple word is the one you want! I included dryness and humidity in a few of the categories because it felt weird for them to get their own.

As always, this is not a comprehensive list, and I might add to it. My list will probably make you think of other possibilities, too. Bookmark or pin it for future writing reference!

HOT WEATHER 

blazing sunshine

glaring sun

baking in the sun

sun-drenched

scorching heat

extravagant heat

relentless sun

like a suana

dense tropical heat

radiating heat

blistering heat

oppressive heat

insufferable heat

suffocating heat

heat pressing down

searing sun

shimmering heat

like an oven

like a furnace

WARM / PLEASANT WEATHER

(“Pleasant” is a matter of opinion, of course.)

a beautiful day

a clear day

a temperate day

a golden day

a glorious day

heavenly weather

bright and sunny

a gorgeous spring day

a dazzling summer day

a brilliant autumn day

a vivid blue sky

a cloudless sky

fluffy white clouds

gentle sunshine

lazy sunshine

kind sunshine

filtered sunlight

dappled sunlight

welcome warmth

one of those rare, perfect days

the kind of day that made people forget to worry

the kind of day that lifted people’s moods

COOL WEATHER

refreshing air

stimulating cool air

invigorating cool air

bracing cool air

a nip in the air

a brisk day

a chilly day

weak sunshine

GRAY / OVERCAST WEATHER

(Most people don’t like gray days, so most of these descriptions are negative. I love them, so I had to add a few positive descriptions.)

colorless sky

a soft gray sky

a dove-gray sky

a gray day made for books and tea

steel-gray sky

granite sky

cement-gray sky

threatening clouds

foreboding clouds

COLD WEATHER

glacial air

bitter cold

brutal cold

bone-chilling cold

penetrating cold

devastating cold

numbing cold

punishing cold

dangerous cold

unforgiving cold

too cold to talk

so cold it burned one’s lungs

so cold it took one’s breath away

like a blast from a hair dryer

a gust of wind

insistent winds

heavy winds

strong winds

cutting wind

whipping winds

biting wind

wintry squall

violent gale

howling wind

shifting winds

restless wind

fresh breeze

soft breeze

balmy breeze

perfumed breeze

slight breeze

hint of a breeze

stirring breeze

wind rustling through the trees

fine drizzle

gray drizzle

pebbles of falling rain

spitting rain

stinging rain

steady rain

rain falling in torrents

cascades of rain

rain beating down

shower of rain

sheets of rain

hard-driving rain

pelting rain

lashing rain

slashing rain

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

rumbling in the distance

a roll of distant thunder

crash of thunder

crackle of thunder

crack of thunder

clap of thunder

bang of thunder

booming thunder

rattled with thunder

earth-shaking thunder

tempestuous

a furious storm

flash of lightning

streaks of lightning

SNOW AND ICE

flurries of snow

dancing flakes

snowflakes floating down

snowflakes wafting down

swirling snow

falling thick and fast

big flakes falling like petals

blinding snowstorm

raging blizzard

sparkling expanses

blankets of white

caked with snow

boulders of snow

branches coated in ice

glittering ice

crystallized by frost

silvered with frost

clouds of mist

swirling mist

billowing fog

cloaked in mist

cocooned in fog

shrouded in fog

enveloped by fog

smothered by fog

made mysterious by fog

the fog rolled in

the fog was burning off

the fog was lifting

the fog was clearing

the fog was dissipating

I have many lists like this in my book  Master Lists for Writers: Thesauruses, Plots, Character Traits, Names, and More . Check it out!

Do you describe weather conditions in your writing? Do you have a favorite example of a weather description? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading, and happy writing!

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21 thoughts on “ master list for describing weather ”.

In my current WIP, weather is a crucial element. Not only is the woman in the romance a professional photographer — of weather — but it is a weather phenomenon, namely a tornado, that brings them together. So the description of the sky and the weather is quite detailed in places (specially as the supercell storm roars down on them).

On another angle, the phrase “gloriously sunny” is one that despite having that horrible “ly” adverb (shudder) is so evocative of the type of weather and the POV character’s attitude (and possibly even the type of weather that has gone before), that it’s powerful. It says a huge amount with only two words.

Hi Chris! Oh, wow…that’s a lot more detailed than most of us ever get in writing about the weather. It sounds like a great premise!

I will need this list as I begin edits next month on my WIP. I currently live in Hawaii, but am writing a story at Christmas time in Vermont. 🙂 Thank you!

Aw, nice! That’s some very different weather from what you’re used to. 🙂

It really is! And traveling to the climate I need isn’t ideal right now. So, off to the freezer I go! 🙂

Wow! This is fantastic. Thanks. You ARE a master at this.

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This is comprehensive! It’s bookmarked for future use. Thanks!

Thanks, Steve, I’m glad you liked it!

Amazing list that goes beyond the words that I struggle with – especially describing the rain-painted setting of Snowdonia.

Love your lists. You don’t have one for beaches by any chance? Would this, including the weather be another book by any chance??

Hi, Nicole! It’s funny you should ask. 🙂 I am going to release a second, more expanded version of MASTER LISTS FOR WRITERS . It’s going to have several setting descriptions in there (including a whole list for beaches!), and the weather list will be in there, too! I’m hoping to get it done before November of this year, but we’ll see. Thanks for asking!

That’s awesome and look forward to it’s release.

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I am in Chinan. I happened to enter this web-link and want to learn more about writing, I wonder if there are any descriptive passages. I can only find some words and expressions…

That was really useful. Thank you!

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This list is fabulous. Thank you for sharing it. I will be consulting it when incorporating weather elements into writing my next picture book.

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• Dec 4, 2020

Description Practice: Winter Mountains

Updated: Dec 11, 2020

I’ve mentioned before how I often struggle with writing descriptions that I am proud of. Since it’s been a few months since that post, I figured I could use a little practice and decided to return to the mountain overlook that I described last time. While winter isn’t officially here, its grip can be felt far more than it could last time when most things were still green.

I know I definitely felt the bitter chill of the wind, so I didn’t stay there long. The sun was setting and I could only handle so much cold with my dingy old jacket that was good enough for Southern California winters. Not so much the case when you’re standing on the edge of a mountain with the wind at you back two days after a snow storm passed through.

This time around, I won’t be looking directly at the real scene I’ll be describing, because, once again, it was cold . Instead, I’ll be looking at some photos I took the day off. I’ll just have to imagine the chill in the air brought on by the freezing wind.

First Attempts

As with last time, I tried to pick certain aspects of the scenery around me (in the photos) and write a few sentences on each one. Once I did that, then I worked on combining as much of it as I could into a more finished piece in the next section.

The sun hung low on the western horizon in a crisp blue sky, its weak rays barely cresting the tops of the pines. Long, deep shadows stretched out from the peak and provided refuge for the light dusting of snow from a recent storm. The dimming rays did their best to offer warmth, but were overpowered by winter’s breath.

The wind gusted and howled along the mountainside. In the rare moments when things stilled, the wind could still be heard whispering through the pine tops. It shook them relentlessly as if trying to convince them to go to sleep like the neighboring aspens. Still the pines clung to wakefulness. They would not give up their emerald needles any time soon.

The aspens had long since heeded the words of warning on the wind. Their warm leaves had since lost their spring coloring and dropped to the ground. Now the groves of white trees stood barren in slumber.

Snow still lingered along the mountain while the rolling hills below had already lost their covering. Despite the cold here at the top of the world, evidence of the snow’s losing battle with the weakening sun showed. The dried, frozen remains of plant life stuck up from the snow, while patches of gravel were framed by thinning mounds of white.

The rolling green hills of summer had withered away. Losing its water, and experiencing the harsh cold, the grass dried up and left the world feeling colder.

The pines seemed to have hardly noticed the change in seasons. Their emerald green needles looked as cool and vibrant as ever. They towered over the dwindling and slumbering world as if this was how things always were. The cold didn’t bother them. (Let it go! Let it GOOO! Can’t hold me back anymore.)

Rocks, now exposed from their covering of lush undergrowth, added to the sense of cold desolation in the air. Their gray coloring blended in with the pale coloring of winter.

Comments from editing weeks later: It is so hard not to modify my first attempts and add on to them. There are little changes that I want to make to improve them but don’t because I want to show how rough first attempts can be. I feel this helps show that things don’t have to be perfect right off the bat and that they can be greatly improved upon later.

Let’s Polish It Up

I took a few days off between writing the last part and the rewrite to ensure that I looked at it with a fresh set of eyes. Now that I’ve got some basic ideas down about the various aspects of the view, let’s see what I can come up with when I combine them all:

Up on the mountain, the sun hung low on the western horizon. Its weak rays of light offered very little warmth as they crested the tops of the towering pines. Together, the mountain and its evergreens cast long, deep shadows across the valley, providing refuge for the lingering patches of snow. The frozen remains of plant life stuck up through the white covering while bits of earth and gravel were framed by the melting remains.

At the top of the world, the wind howled as it raced over the rocky slopes. Even if it stilled in one area, it could always be heard rushing through the pine tops, trying to convince them to go to sleep like their neighbors.

Still, the pines didn’t seem to notice the bitter chill in the air. They towered over the slumbering aspens, who had long since heeded the wind’s warning, like watchful guardians. The pale trees’ bright summer leaves had since lost their color and fallen to the ground, leaving the white trunks barren.

Boulders, now visible as their covering of underbrush died away, lay scattered across the ground and amongst the trees. Their pale gray colors mixed with dried grasses that spread all the way down the mountain and across the rolling hills up to the horizon and beyond. Winter had sapped the warmth from the land, and with it, most of its color, leaving the world feeling barren.

Final Thoughts

This is a whole lot easier when you are actually in the moment, able to write everything down as you see it. While picture quality on phones has improved, they can never really compare to being there in person. I’m sure a real camera would provide better results, but I’m no photographer, so I’ll stick with the smartphone for now.

In the end, the picture quality isn’t super important. Most of the time, I’ll be making places up anyway and, sadly, there is no way to take photos of my imagination. Oh well, this is good practice, and I hope doing something as simple as this is as helpful for you as it is for me.

It’s also kind of fun, so I highly recommend it. Just immerse yourself in an environment, either real or imagined, and try to describe as much as you can. You might be surprised by what you see and come up with.

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February 09, 2015

Writing about: winter, 87 comments:.

I am a winter lover so I really enjoyed reading these tips. A good description of winter really sets the scene :)

I'm a winter lover too, and that's probably because I live in Florida and don't get to experience real winter. :)

I have always loved winter and this is my year in probably 40 that I won't see any snow and I am wondering why a tree down the street is already budding out... but I do like to write about winter and you offer many examples of how to make it more real. I like the way the moonlight can make the snow appear to have diamonds and how, when it is really cold, the snow squeaks under your feet and your breathe like a steam locomotive. As for my least liking of winter, it is the season of mud that comes when things begins to warm up.

You give a great example as to how to be vivid and use the five senses with the moon/sun light reflecting off the moon, and the sound the snow makes when you walk on it. And the puffs of breath is a good detail to include as well.

Great advice, Chrys! I love all your little details. In all honesty, I've lived in New Jersey for most of my life and I hate the winter, lol. Right now, as I gaze out of my window, there is freezing rain falling causing black ice and chaos. My school author visit was canceled this morning because of the weather!! When winter messes with my visits, I am not a happy camper. The only time I enjoy this season is around Christmas. If we could have one week of winter and the rest of the year be warm, I would skip to my car every morning.

I forgot to mention, I nominated you for an award on my blog today=)

I'm sorry your school visit was canceled. Black ice, freezing rain/sleet, and blizzards are definitely a big downfall to winter. Thanks for nominating me! I'll check it out soon. :D

I like the sparkly snow too but I can see how harsh conditions could make a thriller more interesting. Hard to make a fast getaway when you're skidding on ice! These were great tips.

Exactly! Black ice would make a car chase more exciting! That gives me some ideas. ;)

My 2nd book was an Mystery/Thriller and it took place during the holidays, which was challenging. Especially when your asking the characters to suspend any sort of celebrations when their supposed to be chasing an aspiring criminal mastermind. :)

Knowing me, I'd find a way for my characters to experience a little of holiday cheer. ;)

Winter can either be bleak or beautiful. And there's always snowball fights. Those are fun to write.

You're said that right, so winter is a great season for writers...mystery/thriller = bleak romance = beautiful. :)

Winter is definitely a fun one to play with. With A Shot in the Light, which is near apocalypse, the lack of power and services gets important as winter comes into play. I also had to do a lot of checking of norms, as I had characters in different places and winter in Atlanta is different than winter in Colorado is different even from winter in Kansas (next door).

I would not want to brave winter without electricity. Brr!

So far no snow falls in space. But one never knows!

Hey, it could happen in sci-fi! :P

I could sure write about winter, but my hate for it would probably shine on through lol

LOL! And a lot of people would probably agree with what you write about it.

Winter is beautiful to look at and horrible to experience. It's the still crispness of a frozen night and the raging gale of a blinding blizzard. It's the joy of sledding and the frustration of a car stuck in a snow drift. It's the promise of Christmas and the frigid sting of frostbite. It's the magic of Northern Lights and the cruel death of starving deer. I love it and I hate it. ;)

You captured winter perfectly in your comment, Chris. Thanks for commenting!

I hate winter in reality and now that I think about, I don't think I've ever used more than a light snowfall in any of my novels. LOL Now I have to really consider using the season more.

I bet you could pull off using winter to its full extent, Susan.

Even Tallahassee gets cold, though. That was a shock to a lot of people our first semester at FSU. When I think of winter, living in a subtropical state like Delaware, I think of a lot of weather disappointment. Blizzards are every few years. Snow shuts down schools because Winter mostly equals rain here, therefore ice, therefore accidents galore. We also don't do Santa, but celebrate the birth of Jesus for Christmas.

I imagine Tallahassee does get colder than other parts of Florida as it's closer to Georgia. Not everyone celebrates Santa, and that's fine! You don't have to write about Santa if you don't want to. Santa is just a common association with winter that can be included in a story.

Every winter, my favorite aunt's repeated invitation to join her in Sarasota, Florida seems so tempting. I hate snow, cold, shoveling, and the times I have to drive in snow. Since most of my characters live in places which experience snow, I have to write about things like extreme winter weather and being snowed in. My Lyuba severely breaks her right arm and hurts her head because of a serious road accident in December 1938, as well as having her water break a month before her guesstimated due date. A nightmare she had 13 years ago and can't stop thinking about starts coming true when she discovers her right hand and arm are too badly damaged to remain her dominant side. I always felt bad for the Orthodox kids because Santa leaves the mall after Western Christmas. Not everyone celebrates the holiday in December! In my Atlantic City books, the mall Santa stays until Orthodox Christmas, as well as being forced to take complaints from disgruntled kids who don't like their presents.

Gosh, I feel sorry for your character. But serious writers put their characters through hell. And that's why this post isn't just about December, but the whole season. :)

I'm going to have to move from California. We just don't experience winter here. I have to travel to see snow if I want to write authentic snow scenes. :-)

I'd have to travel to see snow too, but I like to think I wrote authentic snow scenes in 30 Seconds. :)

That photo at the top of the post captures the best of winter for me - sheer visual beauty. We don't get much of that around here. Winter is just grey and damp this year. Worst part when we go get snow? Power outages!

I'm glad you liked the first picture! I tried to find one that showed the true beauty of winter. Power outages in the winter are terrible!

Love this! My WIP starts out in winter, so I've used a few of these ideas. Especially the food--there's a bit of a disaster while making stew...

A disastrous stew, huh? That sounds like a funny scene. :)

Fun post, Chrys! What I don't like about winter season is the darkness. That's why it's a great season to set your mystery or crime story in. But beginning right about now to end of February the days get noticeably longer. I always find that symbolic to hope, love, returning to life in spring. I love all the things you mention about winter. The food and drink is a great detail to add to a story.

Winter is a very dark and deary season. It is perfect for mysteries...and naps. It's not very cold here in Florida, but it's a gray day and I'm sleepy!

I'm a person that gets cold very easily so I don't really like the cold. Yet I really want it to snow so I can get an Adult snow day. That's what I love most about winter, the snow. It's fun to watch my children play in it and then end the night with some hot cocoa or porridge.

You and I have that in common, Lidy. I get cold very easily. I have to wear socks (at home) year-round because my feet are always freezing. Odd thing is, I like it when it gets cold. Even though my body doesn't handle it well.

Winter is the task of shoveling snow, and the joy of watching the birds feed, hoping around on the very place you just cleared away. Thank you, Chrys. (smile)

I'm glad I don't have to shovel snow. ;) I do enjoy watching the birds that migrate down here.

You make winter sound like fun. Really, I don't like winter. The only fond memories I have are building snowmen when I was younger. The best was making snow ice cream. Yummy. You had to eat it in a hurry, though, cause it melted fast.

Did I? I did mention snowstorms. haha Snow ice cream sounds delicious!

I'm not a fan of winter. I don't like the cold at all.

I don't mind when it gets cold, but my body doesn't like it.

Thank goodness I live in Jamaica. You gave some great references for winter Chrys.

You mean Jamaica doesn't get snow?! :O Kidding! :P

Winter in Adelaide usually doesn't have that same magic to it. Partly because it's in July not December, and partly because it doesn't snow here, it just gets dreary, windy and rainy.

You're right, winter in other parts of the world is vastly different.

Winter is my second favorite season after autumn. I love playing in the snow, and I really love curling up inside under a warm blanket with a good book as the snow falls outside.

Mine too! :D I don't get to play in the snow though.

I do miss the snow having been born and raised in Michigan. Good chance next year we will be spending plenty of time there in the winter.

Hey, I was born in Michigan, too! But my family moved to Florida when I was two so Florida winters are all I know.

Excellent post. I love winter. The calm stillness. There's a silence that only happens on cold winter nights. Not overly fond of driving on black ice. Even less so if the SUV in front of me suddenly flips.

Oh, yes, the silence of winter. It can be peaceful but also eerie.

Very good tips. I think a winter setting is one of my favorites because of all the different descriptions you can use for it.

It's one of my favorite book settings too! :)

I always emphasize the snow fun. Winter is the best time of the year >:) Cold As Heaven

Snow fun is always fun to add to a story.

I love this series! I think the image of someone warm and cozy inside with snow outside is one of the best things about winter.

I agree, Stephanie. That's why I sometimes wish that it would snow in Florida. ;)

What a great post! What I love most is sitting by the fire curled up with a mug of cocoa (or glass of wine) and a good book or a board game. :) ~Jess

I love that, too! :D

My WIP actually takes place during winter! I'm not a fan of cold weather but I do love hot chocolate:)

Awesome! Oh, yes, hot chocolate is good!

I love winter and loved writing about it for Polar Night. It actually came much easier to me than writing about the summer for Polar Day. I know that makes me a little nuts LOL. But I just love the winter setting both when I'm writing and when reading.

Winter is pretty easy to write about, even for me and I live in Florida! lol

I might encounter winter again someday. Maybe Cera will land on a winter world!

I definitely think Cera should land on a winter world. That would be interesting!

I LOVE winter...and love writing about it too!

So do I! :)

Winter always seems magical to Hibbs and me ... especially first snow: you go to sleep the world looking one way, and then you awaken to find everything transformed in snow and icicles! You are on my latest post today by the way!

Winter is magical. :) I am? Well, I'll be stopping by right now!

Out here (Southern Arizona) Santa arrives in a covered wagon, but it's debatable as to whether Reindeer or Burros pull it -ha! About the time we get a brief respite from scorpions and snakes, black ice appears on the bridges that span our dry riverbeds and huddled birds on the lines above bear witness to the effect on unwary motorists. Natives in sleeves and sweats jog alongside Snowbirds in shorts and sunscreen under trees adorned with holiday lights so we don't miss the leaves. Snow is a rare and random occurrence around here but has the comedic effect of Natives in shorts and hiking boots with nary a Snowbird in sight!

I love how Santa changes from location to location. I know in the Bayou Santa's sled is pulled by alligators. :)

Oh yeah, you've captured the nuances of this long season. And reminded me of all the glorious joys in the dailyness of the cold, snowy season!

I'm glad I could remind you of the joys of winter, Linda. :)

You covered a lot of aspects of winter in this post. Out here in L.A. the season doesn't change too much, but I've had plenty of my times in the cold wintry weather. One of the things I vividly recall is the crunching of the snow underfoot as you walk through it and how pant legs stiffen with an icy build-up when walking through deep snow. While driving with snow blowing almost vertically toward you it can become dizzyingly disorienting and it reminds me of those movies when the spaceship goes into hyperdrive and all the stars are flying past. Arlee Bird A to Z Challenge Co-host Tossing It Out

Oh, you live in L.A.? I didn't know that. :) I remember when I went to Michigan for the first time to visit my days years ago. It was my first time seeing snow, and the first thing I did was step into it to hear that crunch.

I don't see much of a winter living in Miami, but I do miss snow. I haven't written in a snowy setting yet, but this is all good to know.

I live in Central Florida and I don't see much of winter either. I love it when it gets cold here!

Great tips, Chrys - but they made me wish I wasn't enduring a revolting, humid summer right now. hehe

Thanks, Trisha! And I'm sorry your experiencing a yucky summer right now.

I love all your writing prompts for winter, gives people a lot to think aboutbin their writing of it. Winter to me is cold weather, LOL. looking forward to being a minion along with you. Betty

Thanks, Betty! And so am I. :)

Great tips. Have you ever thought about putting these in a book, like the Emotion Thesaurus? You could call it the Season Thesaurus, or something catchier.

I have thought about creating a book with all of my helpful posts. One day! :)

I love winter, and this is a fantastic post! Thank you.

Thank you, Margo, and you're welcome! :)

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WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

Setting Description Entry: Forest

August 23, 2008 by BECCA PUGLISI

green, brown, dead fall, fallen trees, logs, branches, twigs, fallen leaves, ferns, underbrush, moss, brambles, thickets, ivy, berry bushes, pine needles, pine cones, acorns, insects, rabbits, birds, squirrels, lizards, mice, foxes, spider webs, deer, sun-dappled, shady, shafts…

Sounds branches creaking, feet shuffling through detritus, squirrels chattering, leaves rustling, wind whistling around trunks/disturbing the leaves, birds singing, insects humming/ churring, rustle of animals rooting in underbrush, scrabbling of lizards on tree bark, limbs..

Smells tree smells (pine, etc), wildflowers, earthy smell, animal scents, rotting wood, fresh, stale, dry, damp, wet, scents on the wind from nearby places (water, wood smoke, ocean), wild mint/herbs, decay (bogs, stagnant pools of water, dead animals), skunks, skunk weed…

Tastes earthy air, sweet/sour berries, nuts, mushrooms, wild onions, seeds, bitter, mint, gritty, mealy, meaty, relish, savor, sample, salty, acidic, sweet, flavorful, sour, tart, flavorless, swallow, mild, nutty, relish…

Touch rough tree bark, kiss of falling leaves, branches slapping, uneven ground, knobby roots underfoot, sticky sap, underbrush that tangles/grabs, prickle of briars, slick leaves, twigs snagging at hair/scratching face, tickle of hanging moss, spider web strands on skin, soft…

Helpful hints:

–The words you choose can convey atmosphere and mood.

Example 1: I lifted my face, letting the light and shadow dance across my skin. Bees hummed in and out of the pennyroyal. I inhaled its minty smell and continued on, delighting in the sound of my feet sliding through the leaves.

–Similes and metaphors create strong imagery when used sparingly.

Example 1: (Simile) The trees lashed and crashed against each other like drum sticks in the hands of a giant…

Does your setting take place at night? Check out this similar Entry: WOODS AT NIGHT

Think beyond what a character sees, and provide a sensory feast for readers

Setting is much more than just a backdrop, which is why choosing the right one and describing it well is so important. To help with this, we have expanded and integrated this thesaurus into our online library at One Stop For Writers . Each entry has been enhanced to include possible sources of conflict , people commonly found in these locales , and setting-specific notes and tips , and the collection itself has been augmented to include a whopping 230 entries—all of which have been cross-referenced with our other thesauruses for easy searchability. So if you’re interested in seeing a free sample of this powerful Setting Thesaurus, head on over and register at One Stop.

On the other hand, if you prefer your references in book form, we’ve got you covered, too, because both books are now available for purchase in digital and print copies . In addition to the entries, each book contains instructional front matter to help you maximize your settings. With advice on topics like making your setting do double duty and using figurative language to bring them to life, these books offer ample information to help you maximize your settings and write them effectively.

Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via One Stop For Writers —a powerhouse online library created to help writers elevate their storytelling.

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Reader Interactions

October 11, 2021 at 6:06 am

That helped me a lot!

October 7, 2021 at 2:08 pm

I love descriptive writing but can you help me to write a forest setting description?

February 26, 2021 at 10:01 am

Thank you for this great help…☺️☺️

February 23, 2021 at 4:37 am

Thanks this helped a lot!

January 19, 2021 at 1:39 am

Lovely book, It helped me a lot thanks

August 19, 2020 at 10:54 pm

Are you lovely ladies planning to put these descriptions into an ebook? I’m enjoying all seven of your thesaurus books.

August 20, 2020 at 8:13 am

Hi, Michelle! I’m so glad you’re enjoying our books. Are you asking when the setting thesaurus is going to be turned into a book? If so, you’ll be happy to know that those books are published and available. You can find ebook information on our Bookstore page. https://writershelpingwriters.net/bookstore/

If you have other questions or need to clarify anything, just let us know!

July 13, 2020 at 8:35 pm

OMG! This is powerful. God bless you richly. Please ma, can you help me to proofread my short fiction. I’m begging in the name of God. I have written a short fiction, but no one to help me to proofread it. [email protected] . Thanks in anticipation.

July 14, 2020 at 10:44 am

Sorry, we are unable to do that, but if you join a writing group or have a good critique partner, they should be able to help you. Good luck and all the best. 🙂

May 21, 2020 at 4:59 pm

amazing thankyou so much 🙂

March 11, 2020 at 3:19 pm

thanks! these will help a lot with the forested settings in my book series: the elemental masters.

June 26, 2020 at 5:42 am

Oh wow, your books are absolutely amazing. I’ve read all of them

March 9, 2020 at 1:50 am

Thank you for this, however, could you also do the same setting description based on the setting of a beach? That would be extremely helpful for me. THank yoU!

March 7, 2020 at 10:28 pm

Hi, this is extremely helpful, but could you make another setting description, the same as this one, except about a beach scene? That would be super helpful for me. Thanks!

March 8, 2020 at 1:56 pm

Hi, Stacey! We actually do have a Beach entry. You can find it here: https://writershelpingwriters.net/2008/09/setting-thesaurus-entry-beach/ . And our TOC also contains a list of the entries you can find here: https://writershelpingwriters.net/occupation-thesaurus/

But if you’re looking for settings that we don’t have, you might consider checking out our website, One Stop for Writers. All of our thesaurus collection are there, and most of them have been expanded to include additional entries. For instance, here is the complete list of setting entries you can find at One Stop: https://onestopforwriters.com/scene_settings

Best of luck to you!

March 9, 2020 at 5:47 am

Thank you so much Becca, i just really appreciate it, i love the websites you gave me and it is simply WONDERFUL!!!

March 6, 2020 at 3:12 am

This is wonderful, thank you! Very helpful!

October 24, 2019 at 6:10 am

IT FANTASTIC

January 1, 2019 at 7:15 pm

this really helped me. thank you lol 🙂

July 12, 2017 at 1:21 pm

I am helping a friend open a bar in a small town…the lifestyle here is of the following: Fishing, boating on our two rivers….Wabash and Tippecanoe and hunting deer. Cannot come up with a name to incorporate both of the passions our customers would enjoy. I have gone to your description setting entry for ideas…but just can not gel together this duo!!! Help?

July 12, 2017 at 8:00 pm

Hi, Patti. I’m sorry, but I’m not clear on what you’re after. Are you looking for help coming up with a name for a fictional town?

October 5, 2014 at 2:41 am

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL WORK. MY DAUGHTER WILL HAVE A GOOD RESOURCE OF DESCRIBING WORDS.

February 29, 2012 at 1:40 pm

Thank you so much for this! I have been struggling with my forest scenes for the longest time, stuck on the same small handful of descriptors–this is brilliant. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

May 1, 2011 at 4:48 pm

Thank you very much for these amazing words! keep the work up!

March 7, 2011 at 7:54 am

Thank you so much. These beautiful words makes picturing a scene extremely easy.

February 1, 2011 at 2:13 pm

I absaloutly loved thease words i really needed them to help me get my English paper to life

January 25, 2011 at 6:47 am

It’s a great Help for me. I was looking for such post that could give some interesting wording to describe a greenery and forest scene.

Thank you very much 🙂

April 7, 2010 at 6:13 am

I showed my teacher and she said you rocked. Thank you 🙂

March 26, 2010 at 2:52 pm

Great help for my book! Thank you!

December 13, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Thanks. Great Guide for a descriptive piece of writing A*

December 11, 2009 at 12:26 am

Creatively helpful , specially to beginning writers like me. Thanks for this web.

October 2, 2009 at 10:38 am

very helpful thanxx cood u include more sentance exxampils thanx that wood be helpful! miss m

September 23, 2009 at 11:35 am

April 21, 2009 at 8:29 pm

I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!! Just what I am writing about!!! THANKS!!!!!!!

August 24, 2008 at 1:17 pm

Thanks for the kind words. When Angela and I started this blog, one of our main goals was to keep it relevant to writers. Glad to know we’re doing alright on that front :).

August 24, 2008 at 12:07 pm

This is fabulous!! I love it!

August 23, 2008 at 8:02 pm

Angela and Becca, you one-hit wonders, you’ve done it again! You’re very good at relating to the reader (and making it easy on the writer).

August 23, 2008 at 5:51 pm

Great job. And I really like the drumsticks simile.

August 23, 2008 at 10:45 am

So perfect! Thanks! I love the simile and metaphor section!

[…] Forest […]

[…] is a forest entry already, but I think that at night the woods can be an entirely different setting, full of mystery […]

Winter Creative Writing Prompts: Embrace Cold-Weather Creativity

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Unleash Your Imagination​ with Captivating Winter Settings

Discover the magic of⁣ snow: evoking winter wonderland in your writing, unwrapping emotions: explore the intricacies​ of winter⁤ feelings, embrace⁤ the chill: crafting engaging ⁤characters in‌ frozen landscapes, ignite inspiration with cozy winter activities and traditions, journey through winter memories: nostalgic tales to warm the soul, winter adventures: engaging plot ideas to spark your creativity, masterful descriptions: painting vivid pictures of frosty winter scenes, frequently asked questions.

‌ As the snowflakes fall gently from the sky, winter presents a⁤ golden opportunity to ignite your imagination and ‌unleash your creativity. ‌Whether you’re⁤ a seasoned wordsmith or just starting your​ creative⁢ writing journey, winter serves as a magical muse, offering a myriad of captivating prompts to spark your next literary masterpiece. So, grab a cozy blanket, curl up by the ⁣fireplace, and let these winter-inspired writing prompts transport you to a world of ⁤chilly enchantment. ⁤

​ 1.‌ Skating on Thin Ice: Describe ⁣the exhilarating feeling ⁤of gliding effortlessly‍ across a frozen‌ pond, the crisp⁣ air⁣ nipping at‌ your cheeks. 2. The Snow Globe’s Secret: Explore‍ the mysterious adventures that unfold when​ a small child discovers a magical snow globe hidden in the attic. 3. The Forgotten Cabin: Uncover the stories‍ of a forgotten cabin deep in the snowy woods—its secrets, inhabitants, and the memories it holds. 4. A Winter’s Wish: Write about a⁢ heartwarming encounter ​between ⁤a young child and a ‌lonely ⁣elderly neighbor during a ⁣blizzard. 5. ‌The Ice‌ Queen’s Spell: Dive into a mythical tale where a ​courageous hero must break ⁤an ice queen’s spell to save their enchanted kingdom from eternal⁤ winter. 6. Winter Wanderlust: Describe⁢ the journey of an adventurous ⁢traveler as they explore a frost-covered mountain range,⁣ encountering breathtaking vistas and unexpected challenges along the way.

‌ Step into‍ a winter wonderland and let your imagination run ⁤wild amidst ⁣breathtaking snowy landscapes.‍ As the ‌frosty air ‍nips at your‌ cheeks, get ready to embark on a journey through stunning and captivating winter settings that are sure​ to awaken your senses.⁢ From snow-covered forests to sparkling frozen lakes, there’s ⁣an abundance of picturesque⁢ scenery waiting ‍to‌ be explored and inspire your creativity.

Picture yourself surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains, their peaks glistening‌ in the sunlight. Feel the soft crunch⁣ of fresh snow beneath your boots as you traverse vast meadows, every ‌step⁤ unveiling a new world of possibilities. Engulfed in serenity ⁢and peace, you’ll find yourself lost in the ⁢beauty of nature’s winter canvas, where each scene beckons you to weave your own story.

To ignite your imagination⁣ further, imagine stumbling upon a quaint log cabin ‌nestled in​ the woods, smoke lazily rising from its chimney. Hear the crackling of the fireplace as you step ‌inside, greeted by its ⁣warm embrace. The cozy interior decorated with flickering candles and plush blankets invites you to curl up with a book and ​lose yourself in another realm. Allow the winter setting to transport you to far-off lands, where adventure and magic await at every turn.

• Discover⁤ the ⁤hidden secrets of frost-covered castles that stand ‌frozen in time.
• Marvel at the intricate ice sculptures ⁢that seem to defy the laws of nature.
• Embark on thrilling‍ sleigh rides through snowy valleys, with the laughter of friends echoing in the crisp⁤ air.

Winter settings provide endless opportunities for your imagination to soar. Unleash your creativity as you engage with ​these captivating landscapes and let ‍them serve as a backdrop for your wildest dreams and stories. Whether you’re ⁤a writer seeking ‍inspiration, an artist yearning for new subjects, or simply a daydreamer with a longing for enchantment, the wonders ‍of winter are sure to set your ‌imagination ablaze. ​

When it comes to describing the enchanting‌ beauty of winter, nothing quite captures the imagination like the magic of snow. Snowflakes gently⁣ falling from the sky, transforming the world into a ⁤pristine⁤ winter wonderland, can truly transport readers to a land filled with ⁣beauty and‍ wonder. Incorporating vivid descriptions of snow in your writing can engage your readers’ senses, evoking the​ peacefulness and serenity associated with this season. Whether you are writing a descriptive passage or crafting a captivating ⁢snow-filled​ scene, ⁢here are some tips to help you evoke the magic of snow ‌in ⁤your writing.

1. Paint a picture: Begin by illustrating the ​scene⁣ with your words. Describe the delicate snowflakes, ​their intricacies and patterns, as they gracefully dance through the air. Bring the readers​ into the moment by‌ detailing the sparkling ⁣white blanket covering every surface, transforming the world into a shimmering wonderland.

2. Engage ​the senses: To make your writing truly come ​alive, engage the readers’ senses. Describe the crisp, clean scent of snow in the air, ⁤the⁣ comforting sound of snowflakes softly⁤ landing on the ground, and the gentle touch of cold snowflakes on⁣ the ⁤skin.⁤ By evoking these⁣ sensory experiences, you can transport your readers to a world vividly imagined.

Winter is a season that brings about a myriad of emotions, each as unique and intricate as the delicate snowflakes that fall gently from the sky. It’s a time when ‍feelings are amplified, and the crisp⁣ air carries a sense of both nostalgia and anticipation. Let’s delve into the captivating world ​of winter ⁤emotions and uncover the hidden layers that make this‌ season so enchanting.

1. Coziness: Winter is synonymous with cozy moments, whether it’s curling up by the ⁣fireplace with a warm cup of hot cocoa or snuggling‍ under a fuzzy blanket. The feeling of being tucked away from the harsh elements outside can evoke a sense​ of comfort and contentment like no⁤ other season.

2. Solitude: Winter has an uncanny ability to make⁢ us embrace solitude. As the world becomes quieter and ⁢enveloped in a serene white blanket, it’s the perfect time for self-reflection and introspection. The⁢ peacefulness that comes with​ winter solitude ‍can be both introspective and rejuvenating, allowing⁢ us to reconnect with ourselves on‍ a deeper level.

In the ‌mystical realms of frozen landscapes, where the icy winds whisper secrets and the snow-laden ground hides untold treasures, lurks a unique opportunity for character ⁢development like no other. These frosty backdrops offer a rich canvas for storytellers to weave tales ⁣of resilience, self-discovery, and raw beauty. To truly embrace the chill and create ​engaging characters within these ‍frozen vistas, consider the following:

• Let the ⁤landscape‍ shape their ⁤journey: ⁣Just as glaciers carve majestic valleys, let the frozen landscapes leave their mark on your characters. Utilize the⁣ harsh conditions to test their strengths and weaknesses, forcing them to⁢ adapt and evolve. The‍ frigid climate ​can serve as a‌ powerful ‌catalyst ⁣for personal growth, as characters endure the chill and emerge transformed.
• Unleash the power ​of ‌isolation: In the‍ midst of snow-covered plains and‌ icy mountain peaks, characters can find themselves truly alone. This isolation can ⁤plunge them into a deep introspection, unearthing hidden depths ‍of their personality. Allow the quiet solitude of these frozen landscapes to reveal their hidden ‍fears,‍ desires, and strengths, unveiling a captivating complexity that draws readers deeper into their world.

When you immerse your characters ⁣in frozen landscapes,⁢ you enrich their stories​ with an ethereal charm that awakens the imagination. The ‌stark beauty, the piercing cold, and⁢ the ever-present struggle against nature create an atmospheric setting that mirrors the ‍character’s journey. So, embrace the chill and⁢ let⁢ your characters dance‍ on the ice of ⁢frozen‍ landscapes, ‌capturing the hearts of readers with ‌their⁣ enchanting⁤ tales.

Winter is a magical‌ season that offers ⁤countless⁢ opportunities to create memories and embrace the coziness of the⁣ cold ⁤weather. Here are some delightful activities and traditions that will surely ignite inspiration and add a touch of warmth‌ to your winter days:

• Roasting Marshmallows by the Fireplace: Grab a cozy ‌blanket, gather around the crackling fire, and savor the joy of roasting marshmallows. Whether it’s indoors or outdoors,⁢ this ​simple activity never fails to ⁢bring‍ people together and create an atmosphere of warmth and laughter.
• Winter Nature Walks: Bundle up in your favorite winter gear and embark on ‍a serene ⁢nature walk. Feel the ⁣crisp ⁤air fill your lungs ⁤and marvel at the whimsical beauty of snow-laden ‍trees and sparkling landscapes. These walks⁢ not only allow you to appreciate nature’s wonders but also provide a peaceful escape ⁢from​ the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Continue the winter magic with more ‌heartwarming traditions:

• Hot Cocoa and Movie Nights: Treat yourself to a mug of hot cocoa topped with fluffy marshmallows while snuggling up with ⁤your ⁤loved ones for a movie marathon. Whether it’s a classic holiday film or a feel-good comedy, these cozy‌ nights in will fill your heart ‍with joy ‌and create cherished memories.
• DIY Winter ⁤Crafts: Embrace your creativity and engage in a variety ⁤of winter-themed crafts. From making snowflake decorations to designing personalized greeting cards, these crafts⁤ not only ⁣unleash your artistic side but ⁣also serve ​as delightful decorations that⁢ will infuse your home with a festive spirit.

No season elicits more nostalgia than winter. As the snow blankets ‌the earth, memories of hot cocoa by the fireplace and cozy nights with ⁢loved ones come flooding⁣ back. Join us on a heartwarming journey through the frosty wonderland of winter as ‍we‌ dive into stories that will transport you to a magical time.

• Cozy Cabin Escapes: Discover the allure of rustic⁢ getaways, ‍where crackling fireplaces and snow-covered landscapes create an idyllic retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Feel the warmth of a hot cup of cocoa as you curl up with a favorite⁤ book, enveloped in the⁤ scent of pine and the soft glow of candlelight.
• Festive ⁢Traditions: Take a step back in time and relish in ‍the traditions that ⁣make ‌winter so special. From building snowmen in the front yard⁢ to baking cookies with loved ones, these timeless rituals bring families and communities closer together. Delve into heartwarming‌ tales of holiday ⁢cheer and the joy that ⁢only the ‌holiday season can⁢ bring.

Winter memories ‍hold a ‍special place ​in our hearts, reminding us of simpler times and the beauty ⁣that can be found in the‍ quiet solitude of nature. ⁣Whether you’re reminiscing about your own childhood adventures or discovering new​ tales, let these nostalgic stories warm your soul as you embark on a magical journey‌ through the many wonders of winter.

As the snowflakes fall softly from the sky ‍and the⁢ chilly wind ​whisks through the trees, winter becomes the ‌perfect backdrop for exciting ⁤and captivating adventures. Whether you’re a writer looking for inspiration or simply seeking some‍ winter-themed reading material, we’ve got you covered with an array⁤ of plot ideas that are bound to unleash⁢ your creativity. So grab a hot drink,⁤ cozy up by the fire, and let your imagination take flight in the ​wondrous world of winter!

1. The​ Enchanted Ice Palace: Dive into a fantastical tale where‍ a hidden ice palace mysteriously appears in the heart of a snowy forest.⁢ Within its walls lies‌ a mystical portal that‍ leads to a magical realm. Follow the⁢ journey of a curious adventurer who stumbles​ upon this ⁤palace and embarks on a quest ‌to uncover its secrets, encountering mythical creatures, solving riddles, and battling‌ treacherous challenges along the way.

2. The⁤ Winter Detective: Enter the thrilling realm ⁤of mystery as a seasoned ‍detective is summoned to a secluded mountain village, where strange occurrences are happening under the‍ cover of winter’s darkness. Investigate suspicious footprints in ⁣the snow, follow cryptic clues left behind, and unravel ⁤an intricate web of deceit. With ‍each new lead, piece​ together the enigmatic⁤ puzzle until the truth is ⁤finally revealed,⁢ exposing ⁣hidden secrets and ​unexpected twists that will leave readers on the edge‌ of their seats.

Winter, with its ethereal beauty, presents a ‍captivating canvas for imaginative minds to embark on a journey⁢ through words. In the hands of ⁤a skilled wordsmith, descriptions of frosty winter scenes can transport readers to a world ‌adorned with glistening ice ‌crystals and a soft blanket of snow. Mastering the art of painting vivid pictures with words allows one to capture the essence of these chilly ​landscapes, evoking a sense of wonder and enchantment in the reader’s mind.

When describing a frosty winter scene, it⁢ is essential to pay attention⁤ to details that bring the imagery to life. The crisp, biting air ⁢that leaves a faint wisp of vapor with‍ each breath, ⁤the crunching sound of fresh⁤ snowfall⁣ beneath one’s feet, and the delicate frost that adorns branches like⁣ nature’s intricate⁢ lacework – these are⁣ the elements that create the ⁣foundation‍ for a truly ‍mesmerizing description. By skillfully using sensory words and descriptive phrases, an ⁢adept ⁣writer can transport the reader to a⁤ world ​where they can feel the chill in the air, see the shimmering frost on every surface, and hear the hushed stillness ⁢that ⁤winter ‌bestows ⁤upon its ​surroundings.

• Utilize sensory adjectives: Words ‍like “sharp,” “frigid,” and‍ “numbing” bring the cold to⁤ life.
• Highlight contrasting textures: ‍Mention the juxtaposition of the smooth, icy surface against‍ the fluffy, untouched snow.
• Enliven ‍the description with figurative language: Similes and metaphors like “crystals glimmering​ like diamonds” or “whispering winter’s secrets” add a touch of poetic⁣ beauty.

Mastering the‍ art of painting vivid pictures of frosty winter scenes requires a​ careful⁤ balance between immersive sensory details and the reader’s imagination. By skillfully crafting​ descriptions that appeal to‍ the senses, ‍a writer can ignite the‍ reader’s curiosity, transporting them to a ‌world where they can witness the‌ magic‌ of winter firsthand.

Q&A: Winter Creative⁢ Writing Prompts: Embrace Cold-Weather Creativity

Q: What⁤ are creative writing prompts? A: Creative writing ⁢prompts are stimulating ideas,⁤ sentences, or images that inspire ⁤writers to​ ignite their imagination and artistic expression.

Q: Why should we embrace cold-weather creativity? A: ⁣Cold weather presents a unique backdrop to explore emotions,⁢ sensations,⁣ and scenarios that can‍ be incorporated into our ‍writing. It creates a cozy and introspective atmosphere that‌ can spark original ideas and enhance our creativity.

Q: Can​ you give some examples of winter creative writing prompts? A: Certainly! Here are a few examples: 1. Describe the feeling of standing alone in a snow-covered forest. 2. Write a poem about the beauty and serenity of winter mornings. 3. Tell a story‌ about a ‌person who discovers a magical snow globe that grants wishes. 4. Imagine yourself ‌as a snowflake.​ Write about your journey from the sky to the⁣ ground. 5. Create a‍ dialogue​ between two characters sitting by a ⁢cozy fireplace on a snowy evening.

Q:⁣ Who‍ can benefit from using winter creative writing prompts? A: Anyone with a passion for ⁣writing can⁣ benefit from using these ⁤prompts. It’s an excellent tool for professional writers seeking inspiration, as ​well as beginners⁤ looking‍ to develop their skills or explore new creative territories.

Q: How can these prompts help improve our writing skills? A: ⁣Winter creative writing prompts challenge us to think outside the box, develop new ideas, and experiment with different ​writing styles. Regularly engaging with prompts​ can​ improve our descriptive abilities, character development, and storytelling techniques.

Q: Where can one find these winter creative writing prompts? A:‌ There are various sources⁣ to find winter ‍creative writing prompts. You can search online ‌writing communities , follow writing blogs, join workshops, or even create your own prompts inspired by winter scenery, traditions, or seasonal activities.

Q: How can⁣ I make the most out⁣ of ⁤winter creative writing prompts? A: Here ⁣are a few tips: 1. Choose prompts ‌that⁣ resonate ​with you personally to create a stronger connection with your writing. 2.⁣ Set aside regular time for writing, ensuring you have a quiet and comfortable space to focus on your creative process. 3. Don’t be⁣ afraid ‌to diverge from the prompt if your imagination takes you in a different direction. The prompts ‌are ‍just a starting point. 4. Share your work with⁣ others, either in writing groups‌ or online platforms, to gain constructive feedback and encouragement.

Q: Can winter creative writing prompts be used for other artistic ⁣forms? A:⁤ Absolutely! While originally designed for creative writing, ⁢these prompts‌ can ⁤be adapted for various artistic forms. Artists, poets, photographers, and even ‍musicians can use them as a springboard‌ for their​ own artistic expressions related to winter themes.

Q: Are there any additional resources available ⁢to⁢ enhance ​my winter‌ writing ‍experience? A: Yes, apart from creative writing prompts, you can explore other winter-inspired activities like reading winter-themed literature, attending writing workshops or ‍retreats, or⁣ immersing yourself in nature to gather inspiration from winter scenery.

Q: Is there any final​ advice to embrace cold-weather⁤ creativity? A: Winter is a magical season that invites us to delve into‍ our imagination. Embrace the​ cozy ambiance, take ⁢advantage of unique sensory experiences, and let your creativity flow. Remember, there⁣ are no‌ limits when it comes to writing; allow ⁤yourself ‍to explore new ⁤ideas and embrace the joy of creating in ‌the wintertime.

Embrace the‌ chilly season by unlocking your creativity with these winter writing prompts. ​Explore the magic of winter ⁣through words!

OTP Writing Prompts: Explore Unique Character Pairs

Valentine’s Day Writing Prompt: Embrace Themes of Love

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• Winter Descriptive Writing Activity

Winter writing activities are not just for the holiday season ! 

I love using the seasons to engage young writers and get their creative juices flowing! Winter is hands down, my favorite season to practice descriptive writing. 

I introduce descriptive writing during our first narrative unit at the start of the year. During that time we talk about using juicy words, sentence variety, and we also touch on figurative language. These skills are practiced all year long. My favorite project to practice all of these writing techniques and encourage creativity is by tieing together art and writing is with this winter snowglobe descriptive writing .

Open up your art closet and grab construction paper and glitter (yes, glitter), and get ready to be impressed with the writing that your students produce from this writing project.

The concept of this project is simple!  

After a few descriptive writing lessons that focus on structure, word choice, and figurative language students will:

• Create a unique art project: a winter scene in a snowglobe.
• Brainstorm descriptive language and ideas
• Write winter-themed figurative language to include in their paragraph
• Write a descriptive paragraph about their winter snowglobe scene

This project is a lot of fun and truly helps students grow as writers. I love doing it each year and displaying their art and writing pieces all winter long! These tips will get you started.

Kick It off With a Picture Book

I love using picture books whenever I can in the classroom. There are two must-read picture books that I love to read before we do this writing project. They are great to refer back to when we begin writing our descriptive snow globes.

Brave Irene written by William Steig

This book is a must-read mentor text for so many different lessons including descriptive writing. The book tells the story of young Irene who sets off in a blizzard to make a delivery for her mother, a dressmaker who is too sick to go. Filled with amazing word choice and figurative language this book will be an instant favorite for you and your students. Dissect this book and list out all of the writing techniques that you find along with your students and write them on chart paper. This list will serve as a great reminder of techniques that students can use while they write their snow globe descriptions.

The Snow Globe Family written by Jane O'Connor

This is a fun read about a family that lives in a snow globe. The illustrations are a great model to show students how to create a full winter scene in the snow globes they create for this project. After reading this book have the students reflect on the activities that took place during winter in the story and then brainstorm different winter activities and winter scenes they can include in the snow globes that they create.

Get into the Spirit of the Season

Help students to really get into the season of winter by bundling up and going outside for a winter walk ! While on the walk have students take a clipboard and pencil so that they can jot down all of the winter elements that they observe. Have them write descriptively as they take notes about the setting around them. Before you head outside give students some examples of what you are looking for. 

Not sure where to start, try these:

• wind biting at your face (personification)
• cool, crisp, cold air blowing (alliteration)
• snow as soft as a blanket (metaphor)
• list of descriptions using the five senses

Don't want to head outside? Try watching this video to get into the cold season of winter! While this collection is filled with facts they will still get your students in the mood to write descriptively about winter and help them add a variety of winter elements to their snow globes.

• Scishow Winter Video Collection

Make Some Art: Snowglobe Art Project

Now the fun begins!

This descriptive writing project was created to help my students practice writing with descriptions to improve their narrative writing pieces. 

My favorite part about this activity is the art project involved. You can have students decorate the snow globe worksheet template that is included in this pack , or you can have students create their snow globes with tracers and construction paper. 

Be sure to make several circle tracers on cardstock or thick paper for students to use. Then have students use the tracers to make the large circle of the snowglobe. I usually have students use light blue paper or light gray paper to really set the winter scene. Then students can cut out a base for the snowglobe. You can make a tracer for this shape as well, or you can instruct students to cut out rectangles. After they have the two pieces cut, have them glue them together.

Make sure students have brainstormed one focused scene that they will use for the snowglobe before they draw.  This will prevent students from redoing their snowglobes over and over. Invite students to add as much detail to their illustrations as possible. The more that they create in art, the more they have to write about in their pieces.

If you are feeling daring, like I always am, add some glitter and sparkle to the globes. This will help students craft similes and metaphors about the weather in their snow globes.

Teach the Writing Genre

When it comes to this project, I always make sure to teach the elements of descriptive writing before we begin any art or writing. We spend a lot of time discussing how descriptive writing plays an important part in narrative pieces. 

While teaching this genre, I always make sure to focus on:

• what descriptive writing is
• the descriptive writing structure
• how to show the reader and not tell the reader through the use of descriptive language
• the audience they are writing to with descriptive writing
• teaching figurative language and juicy words

I love this winter writing activity and have watched students enjoy creating and writing year after year! This project will hook all of your writers, including struggling writers . The art project coupled with their descriptive writing pieces makes a beautiful bulletin board display for the entire season of winter!

Grab the Winter Wonderland Project  complete with everything you need, including bulletin board letters to create this project in your own classroom.

You might be interested in reading:

Non-holiday activities to engage students this winter 3 activities to ring in the new year must read winter picture books for the upper elementary classroom celebrating kindness in the classroom, looking for more high-interest winter activities for your classroom like   this differentiated reading pack see more here..

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Ancient Trees – Writing prompts and Resources

In ancient trees , Folklore , Oak Apple Day , Owain Glyndwr , Pitchford Hall , Uncategorised by Kateinnes_123.@hW 22nd May 2020

Ancient Trees Resource Pack : to be used in conjunction with the video on the Facebook Folk Community Group site https://tinyurl.com/y7yps43s

The Shelton Oak  by David Parkes – 19 th  century

Fairy Folk by an old gnarled tree  – by Arthur Rackham

Arthur Rackham, illustrator, paid very close attention to trees in his work, glorying in their detail and character. 

Examples of writing about ancient oaks, other trees, and living and seeking shelter in them:

My Side of the Mountain – by Jean Craighead George

“I am on my mountain in a tree home that people have passed without ever knowing that I am here. The house is a hemlock tree six feet in diameter, and must be as old as the mountain itself. I cam upon it last summer and dug and burned it out until I made a snug cave in the tree that I now call home.

         My bed is on the right as you enter, and is made of ash slats and covered with deerskin. On the left is a small fireplace about knee high. It is of clay and stones. It has a chimney that leads the smoke out through a knothole. I chipped out three other knotholes to let fresh air in. The air coming in is bitter cold. It must be zero outside, and yet I can sit here inside my tree and write with bare hands. The fire is small, too. It doesn’t take much fire to warm this tree room.”

An extract from In the Tree House at Night – by James L Dickey

a beautiful, eerie poem in which the tree becomes a link between earthly life and the life beyond.

For complete poem:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/42718/in-the-tree-house-at-night

THE OAK by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Live thy Life, Young and old, Like yon oak, Bright in spring, Living gold;

Summer-rich Then; and then Autumn-changed Soberer-hued Gold again.

All his leaves Fall’n at length, Look, he stands, Trunk and bough Naked strength. 

Dendrochronology (written about the Acton Round Oak)

by Kate Innes

Mary Webb –  a Shropshire writer and folklorist – 

From a description of  Hazel Woodus in  Gone to Earth

“Her passion, no less intense, was for freedom, for the wood-track, for green places where soft feet scudded and eager eyes peered out and adventurous lives were lived up in the tree-tops, down in the moss.”

From ‘The Joy of Fragrance’ in  The Spring of Joy  by Mary Webb 1917

‘A little wood I know has in May among its oaks and beeches many white pillars of gean trees, each with its own air round it. At long intervals a large, soft flower wanders down, vaguely honeyed, mixing its breath with the savour of sphagnum moss, and resting among the wood-sorrel. The wood-pigeons speak of love together in their deep voices, unashamed, too sensuous to be anything but pure. Among the enchanted pillars, on the carpet of pale sorrel, with a single flower cool in the hand, one is in the very throne-room of white light. A little farther on the air is musky from the crowded minarets of the horse chestnut – white marble splashed with rose – where the bumble bee drones.’

The Mary Webb Society notes that: 

“Mary Webb’s love and intimate knowledge of the county permeates all her work. She had an extraordinary perception of the minutiae of nature, and it is this keen observation that gives her prose its unique quality. In her introduction to  Precious Bane  she writes ’ Shropshire is a county where the dignity of ancient things lingers long, and I have been fortunate not only in being born and brought up in its magical atmosphere, and in having many friends in farm and cottage who, by pleasant talk and reminiscence have fired the imagination, but also in having the companionship of such a mind as was my father’s- a mind stored with old tales and legends that did not come from books, and rich with an abiding love for the beauty of forest and harvest field…’  “

More information about ancient trees and tree houses:

More information about the Shelton Oak, including photographs:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelton_Oak

The Ancient Tree Forum finds the Bull Oak – a boundary tree and a shelter for a bull for years

https://www.facebook.com/AncientTreeForum/posts/the-bull-oak-still-exists-steven-falk-has-had-a-really-interesting-week-trying-t/2114877528577136/

Clip from BBC programme about the eccentric occupant of the Pitchford treehouse in the 1940’s:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04bspzg

Off topic but fascinating – Pitchford Ghosts by Caroline Colthurst:

http://www.pitchfordestate.com/pitchford-ghosts

Ancient Tree Folklore Writing Prompts:

Choose any or all of these ideas to start writing about the tree as a location or as a character or its importance to you.

1. You are climbing a tree – where are you? What does it feel like? What sounds do you hear? How does it feel as you make your way up? 

2. You are living in a tree house – describe that – how is it constructed and who is welcome to visit you?

3. You are living inside a hollow tree – describe your living quarters, describe how it sounds and what it feels like to live there 

4. You meet the spirit of the tree – describe the spirit – how do he/she feel about your incursion into its domain? Do you have a conversation? 

5. Write a fairy tale about someone who climbs a tree to escape from danger, and finds more than they expected!

6. Write a story told with the voice of the tree – perhaps the Royal Oak – or another tree that has seen incredible adventures of mice and men. Or write a story about a creatures living ‘adventurous lives’ in the treetops.

Prepared by Kate Innes – Author of ‘The Errant Hours’ and other adventures

@KateInnes2  @kateinneswriter

www.kateinneswriter.com

[email protected]

How to Describe the Wind in Writing (100 Words + Examples)

It can be a bit tricky to find the right words or phrases to make your readers see and feel the wind.

Here is how to describe the wind in writing:

Describe the wind in writing by using sensory language to evoke its force, sound, temperature, effect, direction, time of day, and personified traits. Each description should enhance the narrative, helping to set the scene, build atmosphere, and engage the reader.

In this guide, we’ll discuss all the different ways to describe wind based on its force, sound, speed, and more.

Describing Wind by Its Force

Table of Contents

The force of the wind can dramatically change the perception of a scene.

The contrast between a gentle breeze and a violent gale is not just a measure of intensity.

But can also signify changing moods, symbolize emotional shifts, or foreshadow significant events.

Here is how to do it:

• Gentle : A gentle wind softly touches, a delicate interaction with the environment. Example: “The gentle wind caressed the petals of the blooming flowers, their fragrance subtly wafting in the air.”
• Light : A light breeze is almost playful, just strong enough to stir the leaves. Example: “A light wind tugged at her hair as she sat by the river, the tranquil scene filling her with peace.”
• Calm : A calm wind denotes tranquility and serenity, ideal for peaceful settings. Example: “The calm wind moved lazily through the tall grass, making it sway like waves in a calm sea.”
• Whispering : A whispering wind is quiet, giving a sense of intimacy and closeness. Example: “The whispering wind carried the melody of the distant lullaby, lulling the town to sleep.”
• Soothing : A soothing wind provides relief or comfort. Example: “The soothing wind was a balm against the harsh summer heat, its gentle caress reviving his spirits.”
• Blustery : A blustery wind is strong and cold, often associated with the autumn and winter months. Example: “The blustery wind cut through his jacket, making him shiver as he trod the leaf-strewn path.”
• Howling : A howling wind is fierce, invoking images of storms or tempests. Example: “The howling wind made the old house creak ominously, its eerie tune setting the mood for the night.”
• Fierce : A fierce wind indicates a wild and uncontrolled force. Example: “The fierce wind shook the window panes, a testament to the storm’s power.”
• Wild : Wild wind suggests a sense of chaos and lack of control. Example: “The wild wind tossed the ship like a toy, waves crashing over the deck.”
• Gusty : Gusty winds are strong and sudden, capable of causing brief moments of disarray. Example: “The gusty wind snatched the papers from his hands, scattering them in every direction.”

Describing Wind by Its Sound

The sound of the wind is often used to set the atmosphere of a scene.

From the silent rustling of leaves to the ominous howling in a storm, the sonic quality of wind can bring your writing to life.

• Soft : A soft wind might be barely audible, adding a sense of tranquility. Example: “The soft rustle of the wind through the trees was a soothing backdrop to their quiet conversation.”
• Hushed : A hushed wind is a secret whisper, barely noticeable. Example: “A hushed breeze stirred the silent forest, the only sign of life in the deep wilderness.”
• Silent : A silent wind might not make any sound, but its effects can be seen or felt. Example: “The silent wind danced with the dunes, shifting the desert landscape as if alive.”
• Quiet : A quiet wind does not overpower other sounds, acting as a subtle background note. Example: “The quiet wind murmured through the leaves, a soft accompaniment to the chorus of singing birds.”
• Noisy : A noisy wind is boisterous, drawing attention to its presence. Example: “The noisy wind rustled the newspapers, alerting the alley cat of someone’s approach.”
• Roaring : A roaring wind has a deep, loud sound, often associated with storms or extreme weather. Example: “The roaring wind was deafening, drowning out all other sounds.”
• Screaming : A screaming wind gives the impression of high intensity or danger. Example: “The wind screamed around them, a chilling prelude to the approaching hurricane.”
• Howling : A howling wind is loud and sorrowful, invoking a sense of loneliness or fear. Example: “The howling wind seemed to voice the loneliness of the old mansion, its chilling song echoing in the empty rooms.”
• Whistling : A whistling wind creates high-pitched sounds as it passes through narrow spaces. Example: “The wind whistled through the bare branches, a lonely melody in the frigid winter air.”
• Moaning : A moaning wind can suggest discomfort or eeriness. Example: “The wind moaned through the ruined tower, its ghostly sighs stirring tales of lost battles and ancient sorrows.”

Describing Wind by Its Speed

The speed of the wind can influence the rhythm and pacing of your writing.

Slow winds might suggest a leisurely pace, while fast winds can bring energy and excitement.

• Slow : A slow wind suggests a relaxed or languid mood. Example: “The slow wind moved lazily across the field, the daisies bending and swaying in a slow dance.”
• Lazy : A lazy wind has a lackadaisical quality, perfect for a calm, sunny afternoon. Example: “A lazy wind drifted through the orchard, the scent of ripe apples carried in its wake.”
• Languid : A languid wind is slow and relaxed, hinting at tranquility and leisure. Example: “The languid breeze that wafted from the sea brought a sense of calm and serenity.”
• Meandering : A meandering wind takes its time, as though it’s enjoying the journey rather than rushing towards a destination. Example: “The meandering wind played amidst the autumn leaves, carrying them on a leisurely dance.”
• Drifting : A drifting wind is unhurried and aimless, adding a dreamlike quality to the scene. Example: “The drifting wind carried the scent of lilacs, its sweet perfume invoking memories of past summers.”
• Fast : A fast wind is full of energy, ideal for scenes of action or urgency. Example: “The fast wind whipped her hair around her face as she raced down the hill.”
• Quick : A quick wind might signal an abrupt change or a breathless moment. Example: “The quick wind brought the first hint of the storm, the air suddenly heavy with tension.”
• Swift : A swift wind brings movement and flow to the scene, emphasizing speed and motion. Example: “The swift wind carried the fallen petals, creating a blizzard of cherry blossoms.”
• Rushing : A rushing wind suggests urgency or turmoil. Example: “The rushing wind tore through the narrow streets, a harbinger of the tempest to come.”
• Speeding : A speeding wind signifies rapid movement and can be used to convey a sense of excitement or danger. Example: “The speeding wind roared in his ears as he plummeted towards the ground, his parachute trailing behind him.”

Describing Wind by Its Temperature

The temperature of the wind can greatly influence the overall feeling of a scene.

Whether a warm summer breeze or a frigid winter gust, the wind’s temperature can evoke a range of emotions and sensations in the reader.

• Warm : A warm wind suggests comfort and the promise of balmy weather. Example: “The warm wind, heavy with the scent of blooming jasmine, hinted at the approaching summer.”
• Hot : A hot wind can be oppressive, often associated with desert or drought conditions. Example: “The hot wind carried the sting of the sand, searing any exposed skin.”
• Cool : A cool wind is often refreshing, a welcome relief from the heat. Example: “The cool wind that rustled the palm leaves brought momentary relief from the tropical heat.”
• Cold : A cold wind might suggest discomfort or harsh weather conditions. Example: “The cold wind gnawed at their cheeks, turning them a rosy pink.”
• Chilling : A chilling wind often connotes something ominous or foreboding. Example: “The chilling wind blew through the graveyard, making the mourners shiver uncontrollably.”
• Icy : An icy wind is not only cold but also piercing, cutting through layers of clothing. Example: “The icy wind cut through her coat like a knife, making her shudder with cold.”
• Frigid : A frigid wind can suggest extreme cold, often associated with winter or high-altitude settings. Example: “The frigid wind howled across the snow-covered mountains, stinging any exposed skin.”
• Scorching : A scorching wind is intensely hot, like being in an oven or near a fire. Example: “The scorching wind was like a wall of heat, making the mere act of breathing a challenge.”
• Refreshing : A refreshing wind is cool and invigorating, often associated with spring or morning breezes. Example: “The refreshing wind stirred the wildflowers, carrying their sweet scent across the meadow.”
• Biting : A biting wind is harsh and painful, carrying an insinuation of discomfort or hostility. Example: “The biting wind whipped around them, making every step a battle against the elements.”

Describing Wind by Its Effects

Another way to describe the wind is by the impact it has on the surrounding environment.

This can provide a vivid, indirect way of conveying the strength or character of the wind.

• Rustling : A rustling wind gently stirs leaves and grass. Example: “The rustling wind stirred up the autumn leaves, creating a colorful whirlwind.”
• Whipping : A whipping wind moves with force, capable of causing disarray. Example: “The whipping wind tore at their clothes, making it hard to move forward.”
• Caressing : A caressing wind moves gently, like a lover’s touch. Example: “The caressing wind played with her hair, sending shivers down her spine.”
• Tugging : A tugging wind pulls at things, providing a sense of its strength. Example: “The tugging wind pulled at his hat, threatening to send it flying.”
• Stirring : A stirring wind causes slight movement, especially in water or loose particles like sand or dust. Example: “The stirring wind created tiny ripples across the pond, disturbing the otherwise mirror-like surface.”
• Sweeping : A sweeping wind suggests broad, fast movement over a large area. Example: “The sweeping wind cleared the fog, revealing the breathtaking vista of the valley below.”
• Roaring : A roaring wind gives an impression of intensity and might. Example: “The roaring wind stripped the trees of their autumn leaves, leaving the branches bare and exposed.”
• Dancing : A dancing wind moves unpredictably, swirling and changing direction. Example: “The dancing wind swirled the snowflakes into intricate patterns, as if orchestrating a ballet of the elements.”
• Carrying : A carrying wind can transport scents, sounds, or smaller objects over distances. Example: “The carrying wind brought the distant sound of church bells, drifting on the air like a sacred melody.”
• Buffeting : A buffeting wind strikes repeatedly and forcefully, causing everything in its path to shake or rattle. Example: “The buffeting wind rattled the old window frames, their constant clattering a testament to the storm’s fury.”

Describing Wind by Its Direction

The direction of the wind can have significant implications for your narrative, from determining the movement of clouds to hinting at changes in weather or seasons.

Here is how to describe the wind by its direction:

• North : A north wind, often cold, can signify the arrival of winter or a cooling trend. Example: “The north wind carried the scent of snow, a chilling harbinger of the approaching winter.”
• South : A south wind is typically warm, often suggesting the onset of spring or summer. Example: “The south wind, laden with the heady fragrance of blooming roses, heralded the arrival of a sultry summer.”
• East : An east wind can be seen as bringing change or new beginnings. Example: “The east wind brought the first light of dawn, casting long shadows on the silent town.”
• West : A west wind often carries the connotation of ending or closure. Example: “The west wind carried the last notes of the song, echoing the sun’s farewell as it dipped below the horizon.”
• Upland : An upland wind moves uphill, suggesting effort or challenge. Example: “The upland wind whispered encouraging words in her ear as she climbed the steep hill.”
• Downland : A downland wind moves downhill, hinting at ease or relaxation. Example: “The downland wind guided the fallen leaves on their journey to the valley.”
• Seaward : A seaward wind moves towards the sea, often evoking a sense of longing or adventure. Example: “The seaward wind filled their sails, drawing them towards the vast, unexplored ocean.”
• Landward : A landward wind moves towards land, typically associated with feelings of safety or return. Example: “The landward wind carried the familiar scent of pine and woodsmoke, a promise of home.”
• Incoming : An incoming wind moves towards the observer, indicating the approach of something. Example: “The incoming wind carried the distant rumble of thunder, a stark warning of the storm’s approach.”
• Outgoing : An outgoing wind moves away from the observer, often signaling departure or relief. Example: “The outgoing wind took the last traces of the forest fire, the air finally clear and breathable.”

Describing Wind by Its Time of Day

The time of day can also influence how the wind is perceived, adding an additional layer of nuance to your descriptions.

• Morning : A morning wind suggests freshness and the beginning of a new day. Example: “The morning wind, cool and crisp, breathed life into the sleepy town.”
• Noon : A noon wind often conveys the intensity of the midday sun. Example: “The noon wind, hot and dry, made the mirages dance on the distant horizon.”
• Afternoon : An afternoon wind can signal a gradual easing of the day’s heat. Example: “The afternoon wind brought welcome relief, stirring the lethargic summer air.”
• Evening : An evening wind often indicates the transition from day to night. Example: “The evening wind carried the twilight song of the birds, an enchanting serenade as day gave way to night.”
• Night : A night wind is typically associated with mystery, calm, or the unknown. Example: “The night wind whispered tales of forgotten times, its hushed voice blending with the rustle of the ancient trees.”
• Dawn : A dawn wind implies new beginnings or hope. Example: “The dawn wind stirred the sea into a shimmering canvas, painting the first light of day in vibrant hues of orange and gold.”
• Dusk : A dusk wind carries the end of the day and the onset of the evening. Example: “The dusk wind rustled the falling leaves, echoing the sun’s farewell as it dipped below the horizon.”
• Midnight : A midnight wind can evoke the depth of the night and the mysteries it holds. Example: “The midnight wind carried the eerie howls from the distance, its chilling message clear in the silent night.”
• Daybreak : A daybreak wind suggests renewal or a fresh start. Example: “The daybreak wind carried the scent of dew-kissed grass, a subtle hint of the world awakening to a new day.”
• Twilight : A twilight wind signifies transition or change, often bringing a sense of calm. Example: “The twilight wind stirred the lavender fields, their soothing scent bringing a serene end to the day.”

Describing Wind by Its Smell

Scents carried by the wind can help set the scene and evoke strong emotions and memories in your readers.

Here are a few ways you can describe wind by its smell:

• Salt-tinged : A wind that carries the smell of the sea. Example: “A salt-tinged wind swept across the deck, instantly transporting him back to his childhood summers by the ocean.”
• Pine-scented : A wind carrying the aroma of pine forests. Example: “The pine-scented wind was a refreshing balm, cleaning the city smog from her lungs.”
• Smoky : A wind that carries the smell of smoke, indicating a fire. Example: “The smoky wind stung their eyes and throats, a cruel herald of the approaching wildfire.”
• Floral : A wind filled with the scent of flowers. Example: “A floral wind drifted through the open window, the intoxicating perfume of the garden mingling with the crisp linen sheets.”
• Dusty : A wind that carries the smell of dust or dry earth. Example: “The dusty wind was a tangible reminder of the long, parched summer.”
• Rain-soaked : A wind carrying the fresh smell of rain or an approaching storm. Example: “The rain-soaked wind promised a respite from the relentless heat.”
• Herb-laden : A wind filled with the smell of herbs, indicating a nearby garden or meadow. Example: “The herb-laden wind carried notes of lavender and rosemary, a comforting reminder of home.”
• Citrusy : A wind carrying the zesty aroma of citrus fruits. Example: “A citrusy wind drifted from the orange groves, filling the afternoon with a tangy sweetness.”
• Decaying : A wind that carries the smell of decay, indicating rot or death. Example: “The decaying wind held the grim scent of the battlefield, a chilling testament to the day’s losses.”
• Spicy : A wind filled with the scent of spices, indicating a nearby marketplace or kitchen. Example: “The spicy wind was thick with the promise of delicious meals, making her stomach growl in anticipation.”

Describing Wind by Its Feeling

Describing the wind by its physical sensation on a character’s skin can help immerse the reader in the scene.

• Stinging : A wind that is harsh and biting. Example: “The stinging wind battered his face, each gust like a slap of cold, wet canvas.”
• Tickling : A light wind that playfully brushes against the skin. Example: “The tickling wind teased her bare arms, leaving goosebumps in its wake.”
• Caressing : A gentle wind that softly touches the skin. Example: “The caressing wind was a tender lover, its soft touch bringing comfort to her weary body.”
• Slapping : A strong, abrupt wind. Example: “The slapping wind caught her off guard, its sudden force nearly knocking her off her feet.”
• Grazing : A gentle wind barely noticeable on the skin. Example: “The grazing wind was a soft sigh against her cheek, a barely-there touch that hinted at the storm’s retreat.”
• Biting : A cold, harsh wind that feels as though it’s biting into the skin. Example: “The biting wind gnawed at his fingertips, the relentless cold seeping through his gloves.”
• Scratching : A wind carrying sand or tiny debris that feels abrasive on the skin. Example: “The scratching wind was a desert beast, its sandy claws scraping against his exposed skin.”
• Soothing : A wind that brings relief or comfort. Example: “The soothing wind was a welcome respite from the stifling heat, its gentle caress cooling her sunburnt skin.”
• Clammy : A wind that is damp and cold. Example: “The clammy wind clung to her clothes, the damp chill seeping into her bones.”
• Prickling : A wind that makes the skin tingle, often due to cold or static. Example: “The prickling wind was a ghost’s touch, its chilling caress raising goosebumps on her skin.”

Here is a video on how to describe a windy day:

How Do You Personify Wind?

Personification is a powerful literary device that gives human characteristics to non-human entities.

When it comes to the wind, personification can be an excellent tool to create vivid imagery, build atmosphere, and engage readers on a deeper level.

Consider these techniques to personify the wind:

• Whispering : Giving the wind the ability to whisper can make it seem secretive or intimate. Example: “The wind whispered through the treetops, carrying secrets from one part of the forest to another.”
• Laughing : A laughing wind can express joy, freedom, or mischief. Example: “The wind laughed in the open fields, playfully rustling the wildflowers as it passed.”
• Singing : When the wind sings, it creates a sense of harmony or melody. Example: “The wind sang a lullaby, its soothing hum gently lulling the world to sleep.”
• Mourning : A mourning wind carries an impression of sadness or loss. Example: “The wind mourned through the empty streets, a sorrowful echo of the town’s former life.”
• Dancing : A dancing wind implies movement, celebration, or unpredictability. Example: “The wind danced through the autumn leaves, twirling them in a whirl of gold and red.”
• Roaring : A roaring wind can depict anger, might, or wildness. Example: “The wind roared across the desolate plains, venting its fury on the barren landscape.”
• Caressing : If the wind is caressing something, it gives a sense of gentleness or affection. Example: “The wind caressed the waves, leaving a trail of shimmering ripples in its wake.”
• Teasing : A teasing wind suggests playfulness and lightness. Example: “The wind teased her hair, tossing it this way and that in a playful game.”
• Sighing : A sighing wind can convey disappointment, relief, or resignation. Example: “The wind sighed through the abandoned corridors, echoing the despair left behind.”
• Chasing : A chasing wind implies speed, pursuit, or play. Example: “The wind chased the fallen leaves, their rustling flight a merry chase across the park.”

Final Thoughts: How to Describe the Wind in Writing

When you describe wind in your story, try to link your description to the plot, theme, characters, and specific scene.

Everything should tie into the same knotted storyline.

Here are some tools that I think will help you level up your writing skills:

Related posts:

• How To Describe a House in Writing (21 Tips for Beginners)
• 400+ Words to Describe a Flower Garden: Best Writers Guide
• How to Describe a Sunset in Writing: 100 Best Words & Phrases
• How to Describe a Ghost in Writing (Tips, Words, Examples)

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Winter Words - Descriptive writing

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

3 December 2011

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Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user

millerviolet

Helpful. Thank you.

honeymchacko

the kids really njoyed it!!! mainly as we live in the desert and find it difficult to imagine a white winter!

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