Settings

Your story’s setting is a crucial element, along with character and plot, to keep readers invested. Think about it. All those movie trailers that start out, “In a world…” They’re talking about the setting.

For me, the setting is one of my favorite things. When I’m planning a new work, the setting is almost the first thing I think about. Yet when I’m browsing advice, it’s all about characters, dialogue and plot. Setting is often the last thing mentioned.

What I love about setting is how it combines both physical and emotional elements. The way you describe the physical attributes can imply things to the reader. Past history of the place is a big one for fantasy. The feelings of the character who is viewing the place will illuminate their personality. Writers also can shape how the writer reader to feels about this place.

For instance, my most recent short story, “Hag,” takes place in a swamp full of ruins. Already the reader might have preconceptions about a swamp environment. For instance, they might think swamps are disgusting with all the frogs and quicksand. They might see the ruins as dangerous. A writer could enhance this by covering it with creepy mist, if that’s what they want for the story.

However, the character viewing the swamp might think of it as a safe place. In my novella, The Ice Witch of Fang Marsh, Meven was looking for a place to hide and reconnect with her family roots. Fang Marsh had all sorts of hiding places, and lots of resources she could exploit. I hope that I surprised readers with her perception of the place.

My favorite thing about the swamp in “Hag” was all the collapsed buildings and sunken courtyards I filled it with. These are relics of a drowned empire, and that history is an important part of the plot. From the moment you “see” this place, you know those ruins are important.

Hmmm, seems like swamps are kind of an “ism” for me. Anyhow, I’d be interested in hearing from any of you about the interesting ways you have used a setting in your own work.

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