The Complete How-to Guide with Bonus Section on Hooks

Writing Active Setting #1-3

by Mary Buckham

Now get all three books of the WRITING ACTIVE SETTING series together, plus a bonus additional section on HOOKS!

Have you tried to take your writing skills to the next level but don’t know where to begin?
Do you dread the thought of writing narrative description because as a reader you skip over it when you read novels?

Or are you a writer who ignores Setting description totally in your novel writing—but know your story needs it? You just don’t know where.

Active Setting, explained in comprehensible bites with clear examples from a variety of published authors can help YOU breakthrough with your writing skills.

Readers usually remember the plot and characters of a story, but setting is every bit as important in creating a memorable world. Novel writing can be enjoyable once you’ve mastered a few of the writing skills necessary to bring a story to life.

If you’re tired of your Setting descriptions being ho-hum and are ready to create a compelling story world, regardless of what you write, or your current level of writing skills, keep reading.

In the WRITING ACTIVE SETTING series you will:

Discover the difference between Ordinary Setting that bogs down your story, and Active Setting that empowers your story.

See how to spin boring descriptions into engaging prose.

Learn to deepen the reader's experience of your story world through sensory details.

Notice how changing characters’ POV can change your setting.

Explore ways to maximize the setting possibilities in your story.

Learn to use Setting to quickly anchor the reader into the world of your story.

Use Setting as movement through space effectively.

Explore Setting in a series.

Learn the most common Setting pitfalls.

These books go straight to the point, putting theory in plain language, adding examples from authors in a variety of genres, and finishes each section with exercises designed to help you work with your Setting in a way that will excite you. . .and your readers!

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

218 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 2014

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Mary Buckham credits her years of international travel and curiosity about different cultures that resulted in creating high-concept urban fantasy and romantic suspense stories. Her newest Invisible Recruit series has been touted for the unique voice, high action and rich emotion. A prolific writer, Mary also co-authors the young adult sci-fi/fantasy Red Moon series with NYT bestseller Dianna Love. Mary lives in Washington State with her husband and, when not crafting a new adventure, she travels the country researching settings and teaching other writers. Don’t miss her latest reference book Writing Active Setting.

Currently she is neck-deep into writing an Urban Fantasy series centered around five women drafted to combat preternatural beings agitating for world domination. The INVISIBLE RECRUIT series combines a fantasy/paranormal element with high stakes and the pace of action adventure stories. Mary loves creating thrills, spills and spells as she follows the ups and downs of fascinating characters starting with Alex Noziak, the heroine of INVISIBLE MAGIC, INVISIBLE FATE and INVISIBLE POWER.

Reviews

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

WRITING ACTIVE SETTING
By Mary Buckham


Mary Buckham’s writing know-how book shows how to make a setting rich and alive, a setting that jumps from the page into the reader’s mind and heart. She shows how to revise the first draft setting from a bland narrative exposition into a living breathing setting using fewer rich and powerful words and phrases.

Teaching points show by examples written by great authors, with a peek at how it might have been written in the author’s first draft, and how with a couple of revisions it comes to life, grips the reader, and lodges into their consciousness valuable information about the protagonist, the story, the ambiance, and more.

Mary included nearly four pages of Bibliography of the authors’ books and examples she used. Reading these exurbs was another hook to keep me engaged.

While each of the three parts of this book is available as three individual books, the conglomeration of the parts includes a bonus of tips for writing hooks, a preview of her next work.

Thank you Mary Buckham for Writing Active Setting, an A+ writing instruction book that left me with a sense “I can do this.” The book lives close to my works in progress, ready for reference and review.

[Rose Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started with Mary Buckham's Writing Active Setting Book 3, and was planning to get books 1 and 2, and then I saw the set. Everything you need in one place. The bonus hooks section looks like it will be really helpful in my writing. I have gotten through the first section and I already am rethinking my own work. That's what I want in a guide, the increase in my enthusiasm for writing and the excitement when I see myself improving.

The examples Mary uses to illustrate her teaching points make it easy to see how setting is applied by top authors and the exercises allow you to use the concepts right away in your own work. She takes you step-by-step through several different ways to use setting more powerfully, I especially enjoyed the variety of examples. This set of books will be the center of my writing library! I was given an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review and this is it.

[Tiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, this is the<\B> book set you'll want to buy for them.
Mary Buckham has written the definitive texts for creating fresh, vivid settings and transforming setting into character. Filled with examples, how-to's, and hints.
As I look back on the progress I've made in the craft of writing, I realize just how much I learned from Mary's books.
If you're looking for straightforward advice that will improve your writing today, don't wait any longer to buy these!

[Debra Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is Awesome! I've struggled with setting in my latest WIP and found a well thought out craft book(s) in Mary's WRITING ACTIVE SETTING series. It's now out in print, which I ordered even though I already own the ebook versions of Vol. 1-3. She provides great examples and more importantly spot-on instruction that's not weighted down in boring narrative found in other craft books I've read. In a word, or five, THIS IS A MUST HAVE.

[Deb Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series. Really helped me add depth to my settings in my current WIP. Highly recommend!!

[Shelfish Twitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

WRITING ACTIVE SETTING: THE COMPLETE HOW-TO GUIDE is officially one of my new writing bibles! Regardless of if you are a seasoned writer or just learning the craft – there is something in this book for everyone. This is definitely a book for the Writing Craft bookshelf!
Mary Buckham writes this book in such an easy and engaging style, it’s hard to put down. There are loads of really good examples of setting, its use, and what sort of impact it makes on the reader.
Learn how to anchor your reader into your scenes instantly, not overwrite setting, create conflict and emotion that really punches your reader right into the story, and create brilliant action so that your readers cannot put that book down. This guide is a brilliant reference, even if it’s just for peace of mind. I know that I will be referring back to this book constantly during my writing career, especially if I need to jump-start my writing again. There are fantastic exercises in the book that really makes you think, and put into practice what Mary is teaching throughout the chapters. It is well worth your while to get a copy of this book – even just for the exercises. She shows what works, and what doesn’t – and it’s a fantastic way to analyse your own writing style.
There is also a really good set of bonus material at the end – on Hooks, and identifying the different hooks in our work and what makes them a hook. Since I write a lot of action and thriller type novels – this was especially useful to use in an analysis of my own works. I know that this 3-volume set will definitely be on my referral list whenever I am revising and editing work from now on.
I highly recommend purchasing this well rounded set of books.
I was provided an ARC of this series in exchange for an honest review. I am now going to purchase the print edition to add to my Writing Craft bookshelf when it’s available for me in New Zealand, because I love hard copies of reference and technical writing books.

[Murrrmaiyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading WRITING ACTIVE SETTING: THE COMPLETE HOW-TO GUIDE WITH BONUS SECTION ON HOOKS BOX SET gave me so much to think about in regards to improving my own writing. The books are written in a friendly and engaging style, not at all dry or boring as many how-to books can be. There are exercises all throughout the series for you to put her lessons into practice and get an even greater understanding of the methods by applying them to your own writing.

Her samples, taken from a variety of different authors’ books, were such excellent examples of effective use of setting that it made her points very clear and easy to understand (and made me so curious about some of them that I plan to get a couple of those books too…lol…).

What I like best is how it teaches you not just how to help your readers really see and feel where your characters are, but teaches you how to make your settings do double (or triple or more) duty, incorporating backstory or characterization or action or any number of other things into your settings, which of course also keeps them more lively and interesting and unlikely to be skipped or skimmed by impatient readers. Done this way, they just don’t feel like “oh here’s a boring description bit to plow through, let me read ahead to the good parts…”

The bonus section on hooks is a nice addition as well, which looks like it'll be expanded upon in a new book coming in the future. Gives us something to look forward to! :)

I highly recommend this set to anyone who truly wants to take their writing up a level.

[Susan Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing Active Setting is an essential book for every writer, regardless of their career stage. Broken into three parts; Part I: Characterization and Sensory Detail, Part II: Emotion, Conflict and Backstory, and Part III: Anchoring, Action, as a Character and More, Mary Buckham walks you through all aspects of painting a Setting that will grasp your reader’s attention, anchor them in your story and keep them riveted from beginning to end. Setting is so much more than just where the story takes place! Mary expertly explains how it affects every aspect of your story and the ways it can be used to help you tell your story better and deliver a richer experience for your readers.
She provides author examples, assignments to help you master the concept and helpful “what not to do” tips. Her teaching style is both easy-to-read and understand. I know this is a book I will return to again and again and I encourage every writer to add it to their toolbox!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Buckham covers how to use setting to engage readers in your story in this how-to-guide. There are many ways to use setting and she shows the different ways throughout the different parts of the books with many examples. Some of the examples are broken down to show how and why they work. There are also examples of what not to do in your writing.

As I read the book, I had several ideas about how to improve my writing and make the story stronger.

This is a book that you will keep on your library shelf and will pull out again and again to reference. There is so much information that it is impossible to absorb it all in one sitting.

There is a bonus section on hooks that is a great introduction to the topic and I am looking forward to reading that book when it comes out.

I received an ARC of this book but I plan to buy a print copy of Writing Active Setting so I can make notes and tag the important items.

[Marie Dry · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I read this book I wanted to savour every part of it and absorb all the writing advice while at the same time rushing out to apply all the wisdom I was absorbing to my work in progess.
I highly recommend this book to all authors. The examples illustrate the learning points with a clarity that is refreshing after slogging through a few heavy how to books. This book reads like fiction. I talked a non author friend of mine into reading it and she couldn't put it down.
I would give it ten stars if it had ten stars to click on.

[Nancy Wolter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Buckham's book, Writing Active Settings,is filled with examples of pacing, setting, character description--all the elements which comprise an exciting piece of fiction. This book is a must have book--the best in my writing books library. You rock, Mary!

[Judythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding craft series. Clearly guides writers (new or experience) in techniques to use to enhance setting in their writing. If you're a writer, you need the entire series.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some great info, but I didn't feel like it was presented as well as it could have been. It was repetitive and felt a bit disorganized at times, but the information contained in this book is really valuable!

I really loved how Buckham broke down her examples to really hammer home the points she was making. Unfortunately, by the end, I was starting to tune out to what she was saying because so many of the things had been said before, earlier in the book. But the examples were incredibly helpful.

I also really loved that she had assignments!

Overall, though, I definitely got something out of reading this and I do believe it's helped me with my craft.

[Yandi Asd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bukunya mencerahkan banget. Aku merekomendasikan buku ini buat para penulis, baik pemula maupun yang pengin belajar lagi. Oh ya, aku bakal bikin reviu yang agak panjangnya besok~

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like writing fantasy. Yet one of the hardest things I've discovered while learning to write better is that I've seriously neglected my description skills, the very skills I must have to write fantasy, or any genre for that matter. I wanted to get to the good stuff while I wrote my drafts, and that left critical components of my setting behind. Now vagueness plagues my writing with unfortunate regularity, and that has to stop. I need to develop a setting that not only draws my reader into the story and keeps them there, but does more than just be a one-dimensional, lifeless back-drop.

The Writing Active Setting series by Mary Buckham shows me how to do exactly that on multiple levels. Mary Buckham teaches her writing readers that Active Setting (yes, it's so important that it's in capitals) "means using your Setting details to work harder and smarter," particularly working "harder and smarter" to reveal character, show emotion, create conflict, give back story, and much more (3).

What's really great about this book is Mary Buckham's attention to teaching these components of Setting. Buckham not only provides examples and assignments to practice like most good books on writing, but also gives examples of what not to do. I find this to be really beneficial, because it allows me to remember what to watch out for in my own writing so that I don't make the same mistakes twice.

That being said, like all good writing books, you can't read this book without doing the assignments or taking some kind of notes. Writers transform through practice and dedication to the craft.

My recommendation is to read series twice: the first time for the gist of what setting can do, and the second time taking careful notes and spending at least a week per chapter going over the assignments and concepts. Reading it once through while taking notes and doing the assignments is fine, too, if you're like that. But most importantly, treat it like a writing course. Don't just read the book and be done with it forever. Take it slowly so that you can receive the full and awesome benefits of an Active Setting that helps your story come to life.

I highly recommend this to writers of all kinds that struggle with Setting, beginning through advanced. Setting is a component of every story that cannot be overlooked, and with Buckham's series, Active Setting will become an invaluable tool for your writing, as it has for many other authors.

NOTE: This paperback edition is a print version of the Writing Active Setting series box set for the Amazon Kindle.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading.

They say those that can't do, teach. Mary B has proven to be the exception. She can do both and do both well. If you've ever taken one of her classes, which is where I purchased my set of Writing Active Setting books, you will understand me when I say she is patient, thorough and thoughtful as an instructor. This same attitude and personality come through in her How To books. They are FULL of examples, which is the best way for me to absorb material. She walks you through how to, how not to, and how others do it. She even gives homework. For those writers who are serious about turning out better material and want to improve their skills, (and who doesn't?) this set of books is a must. I strongly recommend you add this to your collection.

[Apple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many helpful hints and examples to take the setting beyond what you see. Active setting can be used to show the character's personality, emotional state, how he/she views the world etc. Active setting can also reveal conflict, backstory, and foreshadowing.

Although not the primary focus of the book, the examples do a good job at changing "telling" into "showing".

This is a powerful tool to enrich your writing and your audience's reading experience.

Parts of the book seemed a little repetitious, but that's okay - the more I read something, hopefully the more I'll retain it.

[Judythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this outstanding craft series individually. Each book clearly guides writers (new or experience) in techniques to use to enhance setting in their writing. If you're a writer, you need the entire series.

[Michael Lee]

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads and will rate once I have read the book.

[CR · Rating 5 out of 5]

The collection of guides offers many modern examples to help beginning writers overcome the basic challenges of writing for the modern reader.

[Linda Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The information is well explained with lots of examples sprinkled throughout. I've read the book twice now and learn something new each time.

[T D Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helped me to look at settings in a different way.