By Serenity Dieufaite
As a fiction writer, I find creating a strong sense of place to be an intentional and essential process. Setting doesn’t come naturally or easily to me. It’s something that I overlook in early drafts. During the revision process, I work on establishing a clear and captivating setting. I choose details and descriptions that create an image in the mind’s eye of the reader. I reflect on my own memories of the place or the research that I have done. Describing a setting is not easy. Yet, a strong sense of place is worth the time and effort it takes.
Why is setting so important? It is what allows readers to imagine themselves living amongst the characters. It brings the story to life. With a strong sense of place, readers are transported to the world created by the writer. Whether writing realism or speculative stories, setting is something that cannot be neglected or ignored. Readers are curious about where the story takes place. Setting is the means of providing them with details that make the story richer and more compelling.
Each writer has their own way of including place in their story. Some writers shape the story’s setting into its own distinctive character. The setting becomes an important mirror to the character or reflects important themes. A character’s perspective on a place can indicate their personality, preference, or beliefs. Sometimes, a character’s homecoming or leave-taking is an important aspect of the story’s plot and character development. Alternatively, some writers use place as the backdrop of their story. In these cases, setting plays a lesser role in the overall story. Still, details are included that ground the reader in a place. Every story must have a place where the events occur.
No matter what approach you take, setting is an important element of fiction craft.
Here are some of my tips for creating a strong sense of place:
- Decide what approach you want to use. Is setting central to this story or not? What role does place play?
- Is the setting of your story specific or general? How specific or general do you want to be?
- Include poignant sensory details and descriptions. Do not limit yourself to a setting’s appearance. Consider sight, smell, taste, and sound. Be intentional and specific about the details that you include.
- Read how other writers create a sense of place. Explore the different styles writers use. Are they maximalist or minimalist? What do you like or dislike about their style?
- If your setting is based on a place you’ve never been, do your research. Watch videos. Find books. Check online sources. Talk to people who’ve been there.
- Share your work with others. Get feedback about the strong and weak points of your writing.
And the most important advice of all is to keep writing. The more you practice your craft, the more you will improve. Continue to make progress and learn from your mistakes.
Happy Writing!