Think About Settings When Writng Your Short Story or Novel
When you begin a story do you know where your characters are? Do you place them immediately? Or do you have them speaking whilst floating in the ether? Many writers do.
‘He said what?’ cried Jane.
‘That it was a secret,’ said Ellie.
A decent enough opening because the writer has used a hook. The secret is the hook, the mystery that draws the reader in and makes then continue reading to discover what that might be. But they can’t see anything yet. Where are the characters? If the conversation continued for longer, then they may as well be floating somewhere in the ether.
You need to place your characters early on in the story so that your reader can visualise them. Like this -
‘He said what?’ cried Jane, banging down her cup.
'That it was a secret,’ said Ellie, leaning forward to mop up the puddle of coffee.
In a few words the reader is given a picture. A setting. The two women must be sitting at a table, drinking coffee. The reader can see them, know where they are. A setting has been created. The table could be in the kitchen or a café. You can add a few more details as the story progresses.
Every story needs a setting. It may play an important part or, as above, simply be somewhere a conversation can take place which will reveal the entire plot .
Women’s magazine stories are often centred around the home, office, garden. Everyday surroundings. Summer stories can take place in holiday locations – golden beaches, sun-kissed islands. Ghost stories or spinechillers need appropriate settings - old houses, misty moors, dark woods.
A setting might be the inspiration for a story. A holiday in Goa provided an exotic setting for a friend’s story. It could have been a caravan in the middle of a muddy field. Not so romantic but it doesn’t rule out a romantic time.
Wherever you go - whether it be a doctor’s waiting room, a greasy-spoon café, the school gates, a cemetery or a plush hotel - think settings. Store up the scents and textures, the colours and use them in stories. Put the right people in the right place and watch your story come to life. Most importantly make sure you put your characters somewhere.
Don’t let them float.
This content was provided by one of our users, Lynne
