Crafting an Atmosphere

When a photographer is trying to capture a particular emotion or sensation there are many aspects to consider. The light must be at the proper angle. A specific item must be in focus. An author must do much the same thing but they have to do it entirely through words. Word choice is vitally important. Two words which are technically synonyms can have vastly different connotations. This is where it is critical for the author to know their audience. The cultural can seize on a concept and change its meaning from one year to the next. For works already in existence  this can change meanings of entire passages. Unfortunately such shifts can't be guarded against and an author must simply make sure to give the story as a whole enough heart that it can withstand the vagrancies of cultural change.