THE WORD: inspiration for writers and word-lovers

Re-immersing in "grey skies & winter days"...

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Dear friend,

Welcome to 'THE WORD', a fortnightly newsletter celebrating the very essence of a writer's toolkit: words.

Today's word is...a day late due to my return yesterday from Florida, the 'Sunshine State', but perfectly apt for the UK in February:

'Brumous'

(adj) of grey skies and winter days; filled with heavy clouds or fog: relating to winter or cold, sunless weather.

...from the noun 'brume'
'fog, mist,' 1808, from French brume 'fog' (14c.), in Old French,'wintertime', from Latin bruma 'winter'.

This sense of returning to winter and short, limp days stretching on through the next weeks until mid-March (possibly longer) isn't so much depressing as simply a recalibration of the senses, day-to-day activities and more practically, wardrobe choices.

In the last fortnight I've applied sun-cream everyday and swum at night under the stars. I've worn flip-flops and sandals and skirts without tights, craving ice-cold drinks and air-conditioned spaces. There's a carefree feeling associated with hot weather that just doesn't seem accessible when it's cold.

The weather has a profound effect on our lives and how we live, but also on the emotions. As I read over the description of 'brumous' it puts me in mind of the pathetic fallacy, one of my favourite literary terms and concepts.

How often do you employ the pathetic fallacy in your writing? Could the sea be brumous at times?

I feel the need to use this word soon in a poem or story as it also conjures the idea of something brewing; a storm, or a more dramatic weather front.

There was a tornado warning while I was in Florida and the wind was dramatic and frightening but fake-seeming too, like poor special effects in an old film.

Weather is a big part of our lives whether (sorry!) we like it or not, choose to acknowledge it or not, and a change in climate makes you think new thoughts. If it does that to the writer, what effect could it have on a character in a book?

"The two men did not speak as the car rolled through the brumous night."

The Unknown Quantity Henry van Dyke

I'm keeping it short today, but will be posting on the blog about my experience and impressions of the Hemingway House at Key West, plus some other highlights and inspirations from my travels.

Thanks for reading. Remember to spread 'THE WORD' if you enjoyed this newsletter, either by forwarding to like-minded friends or sharing on social media - or both - it's much appreciated.

Yours (embracing the sensations of winter)

Rebecca

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