Holidays as Characters in Your Stories

Yesterday was Family Day in Alberta. Basically, it is a government mental health holiday. Spend some time with your family. Forget it is miserable February. Be happy. Don’t off yourself.

Today is Shrove Tuesday. For those who are a little less religious, it’s Pancake Day. I don’t know the meaning behind the day–I was raised by somewhat agnostic be-as-you-are hippies–but I do know something…

And that is…

Holidays can act as fabulous characters and influencers in our stories and yet, so rarely do we utilize them.

I have Christmas in two of my stories, both to illustrate how the gal the girl is dating is the wrong guy. What’s up with that? (Peeks into own pysche.)

But what about Groundhog’s day? Or St. Patrick’s Day? Remembrance Day? Or a long weekend even? They so rarely make it into stories but they could really be great in terms of affecting events, characters, and in generally, creating so much conflict for them!

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Think of this: Busy working mom of young kids. Easter sneaks up. For Heaven’s sake, it’s NEVER ON THE SAME DAY!!! (How unfair is that?) Crap, crap, crap! Talk about barrier to the character if she’s unprepared.

A long weekend? Oh, look! Your character has an extra day off. What do they do? How can this change the story and get them into more trouble? Or help them resolve a conflict they are already experiencing.

How about a holiday they forgot about (maybe they are nonreligious or a religion of a very different mouse all together), and they go to the stores only to find them closed and they *need* something desperately and now have to go back home empty-handed. How are they going to bury that dead body when the hardware store is closed and they don’t have a shovel!!!!

Anyway, that’s what I’m thinking about today. That and those lovely Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal pancakes I had this morning. (Shrove Tuesday is a GREAT excuse to have pancakes for supper. If you are looking for a nummy, yummy recipe, I’ve shared my pancake recipe here. Enjoy!)

Happy writing my friends!

And if you’ve ever used a holiday in your story to create conflict or to bring characters together, tell me about it. I love hearing what other writers are doing.