Making The Setting Matter

How does the setting shape a story? We all need a picture painted of where and when a scene is taking place and what we, as writers, choose can directly impact the reader’s experience.

The setting grounds the story by providing the imagery which is crucial for a reader to understand the characters' world, their social structure, and the historical events that may influence them. It impacts every aspect of the story, from defining the characters to evoking mood, creating conflict, shaping the plot, and even employing symbolism and emotional cues to reveal the protagonist's deepest fears, desires, and needs. In fiction, setting is an incredibly powerful tool that, when used skillfully, can elevate the narrative to new heights.

The environment can be used to establish the tone of a scene, from a bright, cheerful day to a dark, stormy night. This atmosphere can mirror a character's internal state and influence the reader's emotional response. But that’s not all it does, or if selected correctly, can have the ability to do.

A character's surroundings affect how they act, think, and speak. A specific setting can also create conflict, such as a character battling a harsh natural environment or a historical setting with strict social rules that limit their options. It can act as a symbol that reflects the story's deeper meaning. For example, a decaying mansion can represent the decay of a character or a family line, while an oppressive dystopian city can highlight themes of freedom and control.

By using sensory details, writers can bring the setting to life and make it a more vivid and memorable part of the story. The setting can make the story feel specific and real, even if it is a completely imagined world. And that’s just the overall location, land, or planet of the story. Throughout the course of a book the reader is guided through multiple settings as they move between scenes.

Carefully selecting the right setting for each scene is one of the most effective ways to ensure impactful writing. Description is everything here. When effectively described, a specific location immerses readers in the scene's action while aligning them with the character's POV. The description should deliver an engaging experience, fostering emotional investment from the audience.

Some settings tend to get used more than others in fiction, such as forests, parks, restaurants, and alleyways. Although the desire to concoct some non-generic and distinctive setting may be strong, often the genre dictates otherwise. But don’t despair, look at it as an opportunity to take the typical and sprinkle it with your artistic uniqueness. What makes the cabin in the forest different and specific to this story, what makes the protagonists home personal to them and their situation?

The time of day can also impact a story. One of my favorite methods to shift the tone from innocuous to nefarious is to usher out the daylight and transport the characters into the dead of night.

Darkness has the power to transform even the most innocent of settings into something ominous and unsettling. We are preconditioned to associate every evil and maleficent creature or aspect with darkness. Many fear the dark without any sound rationale, and even those who don’t feel at a disadvantage with their most basic of senses rendered defective.

Conversely, the brighter the light the greater the illusion of safety, manifesting even in environments that are inherently dangerous. This provides an excellent opportunity to lull the character and reader into a false sense of security by exploiting their natural association of light with innocence and good before subverting expectations to overturns those initial assumptions.

Weather can also play a significant role in shaping moods as humans, being tactile creatures, are highly sensitive to changes in temperature and the sensations of air on their skin. It has the power to evoke emotions, influencing how individuals feel in a given moment. Additionally, weather can introduce an intriguing layer of complexity to events as they unfold, adding depth and nuance to the experience.

So, the next time you prepare to brush over the specifics of your story setting, try to remember the significance it can have on an array of elements. It can play a crucial role in establishing the mood and offering insight into a character's identity. It can reveal what matters to them, as well as the external and internal circumstances they are navigating. Additionally, the way characters interact with their surroundings serves as a powerful tool for characterization, shedding light on their personality, values, and emotions.

And of course, remember that this is a journey your reader is embarking on, placing their trust in you to navigate and guide them, so make sure you’re giving them the trip of a lifetime.