Writing Tip: Create Memorable Settings
Settings are more than backdrops—they are living, breathing entities that shape the narrative, influence characters, and transport readers to our worlds. Crafting memorable settings goes beyond describing physical surroundings; it involves descriptions and details that resonate with readers long after they've turned the last page. Heads up: This might be a little longer than my usual writing tip posts, but that’s because I want to give examples for each one. The examples are basic and not overly-refined (think, nail on head), but they get the job done. I’ve exaggerated the point for the purpose of demonstration, but we should aim for more nuance in our actual work. I hope you’ll stick around!
Let’s explore key principles and practical tips for creating settings that leave a lasting impression.
What to Consider
1. Sensory Details
We should be immersing our readers in the world we’re creating by appealing to their senses. Describe the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of the setting. Engaging multiple senses deepens the reader's connection, making the environment more vivid and tangible. Go deeper than sight and sound (the two most commonly used senses). What can they smell? Taste? Touch?
Example: The air was thick with the nutty aroma of freshly brewed coffee as Sarah walked through the bustling market, stepping carefully as the cobblestone plotted to roll her ankle. The vendors' calls and the rhythmic tapping of raindrops weren’t enough to distract her from his voice echoing in her mind.
2. Cultural Context
Consider the cultural nuances that define the setting. Explore the customs, traditions, and societal norms that shape the characters and their interactions. A well-developed cultural backdrop adds depth and authenticity to the worlds we’re creating.
Example: Tradition dictated each aspect of the Full Moon Potato Festival. Townspeople of all ages, dressed in robes of navy and silver, gathered to gorge themselves on the rich potato dishes passed down through generations of hardworking hands. Marion loved this celebration of their long history, both delicious and devastating. They’d learned to transform the root vegetable into something both nutritious and tasty while also paying tribute with each bite to the lives lost nearly three centuries past when famine nearly eradicated them all.
3. Symbolism and Imagery
Infuse your setting with symbolism and evocative imagery. Choose details that carry metaphorical weight and resonate with the themes of your story. Symbolic elements can enrich the reader's interpretation and create a more layered and meaningful setting.
Example: The lighthouse stood tall against the angry sea. Its caretaker felt a kinship with that tower of chipped paint and weathered stone. He would survive his wife’s death, just as this beacon had withstood every storm which dared threaten it over the past century. “At least we still have each other,” he rasped to the cool boulders beneath his hand. “At least we still have each other.”
4. Dynamic Settings
Settings should not remain static. Just as characters undergo growth and change, so too should the environments they inhabit. Whether it's the changing seasons, the evolution of a cityscape, or the gradual transformation of a natural landscape, dynamic settings contribute to the narrative's sense of progression.
Example: In spring, the meadow was a pollinating galaxy of wildflowers but Margo had come home in autumn. The yellowed field was as empty as she was, and try as she might to imagine flowers atop the brittle stems, she could not. As a child she’d crawled through them, lush and full of life, imagining herself one of the bees. But now… now, she felt as broken as the husks before her.
5. Personal Connections
Intertwine the setting with the characters' emotions and experiences. A character's perception of a place influences the reader's emotional response. Explore how characters interact with and react to their surroundings, allowing the setting to become a character in its own right.
Example: The old oak tree, a silent witness to countless memories, stood proud in the backyard. For Amos, its branches served as a refuge during childhood adventures, and its rustling leaves provided solace during moments of sorrow. The tree had somehow become a living testament to his own life's journey over the years, which is why it felt like he was dying when he felt the chainsaw growl to life in his hands.
6. Unique Architectural Features
Pay attention to architectural details that define our settings. Whether it's the towering spires of a futuristic city or the quaint cobblestone streets of a historical town, unique architectural features contribute to the distinctiveness of the setting.
Example: The city's skyline was dominated by sleek skyscrapers and their shimmering glass facades, reflecting the relentless pace of modern life. In contrast, nestled between these giants were ancient cathedrals with ornate spires—a reminder of the city's rich history. The contradiction felt right, though, as Janelle rushed to catch the blue line. This country girl would find a way to be at home in the city.
7. Weather and Atmosphere
Weather and overall atmosphere play a crucial role in setting the mood. We can use weather patterns, climate, and atmospheric conditions to enhance the emotional tone of our scenes. The right atmospheric details can evoke specific moods and intensify the impact of pivotal moments.
Example: Lightning slashes across the sky, offering only brief glimpses of the desolate midnight landscape. Charged with tension and anticipation, Bianca aches to embrace her own fiery intensity. Instead, it remains a tightly wound coil caged behind her ribs because, if she moves now, those assholes may find her. And she can’t have that.
8. Research and Inspiration
It’s great when we can conduct thorough research to ensure accuracy and authenticity in our descriptions. I like to draw inspiration from real-world locations, historical periods, and cultural influences when crafting settings. The richness of well-researched places adds layers of authenticity to our writing. If you’ve got the money to do it, consider traveling to the real-life locations which inspire your stories. I know I’d love to do that more!
Example: The custom-built homes spread their limbs across carefully manicured lawns, many behind stone or wrought iron walls. Even the precisely shorn bushes and trees told passersby that they were too poor to make themselves at home here. The carved foliage laughed at those who accidentally ended up driving their decades-old compact sedans through the rolling hills of the Bel Air Estates.
9. Foreshadowing Through Setting
Use the setting to foreshadow events or convey subtle hints about the story's direction. The environment can serve as a silent storyteller, dropping clues and building anticipation for what's to come. Strategic foreshadowing enhances the narrative's cohesion.
Example: The abandoned mansion, hidden behind overgrown vines, was eerily still; as dead as its previous occupants. The wind through the broken windows welcomed you in, though the glass carved gruesome greetings on your arms and legs as you accepted the invitation.
10. Contrast and Conflict
Introduce contrast within the setting to create dynamic tension. Contrast always adds intrigue and complexity to our settings.
Example: The bustling city square clashed with the serene countryside, creating a visual conflict that brought all of Josiah’s discomforts rushing to the surface. He wasn’t sure he could bring together both sides of his life at all, and if he did, he imagined it wouldn’t be any more seamless than this harsh collision of urban and natural life before him. Maybe it wasn’t worth it at all.
Creating memorable settings is an art that requires careful consideration, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the story's themes. A well-crafted setting becomes more than a backdrop; it’s an integral part of the narrative itself, often becoming its own character. By employing these principles and infusing our settings with richness and authenticity, we can transport readers to our worlds. So, let’s make our settings become as unforgettable as the characters who inhabit them.
Happy writing!
