[jwplayer config=”Internal” mediaid=”1567″]This is Elizabeth Stark in the Book Writing World. Welcome to Revise Your Book, Week 10. Today we are going to talk about Setting.
Setting is never merely a description of the world your characters enter into in your book. Setting must always do more than one thing. Here are nine things setting (meaning descriptions of place and props) can do:
1) Setting can convey voice: how does your narrator describe setting? What do your characters mention in dialog?
2) Setting can convey personality: what do your characters notice because of who they are?
3) Setting can convey mood: what do your characters notice because of how they are feeling, and how does the setting appear to them through the lens of their mood?
4) Setting can create obstacles: how does the place get in the way to the characters’ achieving their goals?
5) Setting can up the stakes: what is important about place that might raise the value of the outcome or up the ante on what is going on?
6) Setting can lead to important back story: what memories does the setting hold for your characters?
7) Setting can demonstrate change: how does the way your characters see the setting change through the course of the story?
8) Setting can become another character: the setting itself may be an ally to your protagonist (as well as an enemy–see #4), may provide comfort, shelter, revitalization or insight.
9) Setting can turn the scene: the setting may trigger a reversal or a revelation that turns a scene.
There is more that setting can do, but this gives us a good start. Is there anything else you would like to add to this list? Please post your thoughts and ideas in the forum. How is your setting currently being used? Can you find examples in your book of each of the above possibilities? Are there scenes in which you might draw out more of these possibilities for the setting even if they aren’t used that way right now?
This is Elizabeth Stark. Happy Writing!