Creating the Perfect Setting: The Heartbeat of Your Story

One of the most crucial elements of any novel is the setting. It’s like a stage on which your characters play out the story. Getting it right can elevate your book from mundane to mesmerizing.

First off, why does the setting matter so much? In a post on Elite Authors it says: “Your story’s setting isn’t just the place where your story happens. It encompasses the environment, time period, and even social climate. … think of your setting as the foundation of your story.”

In Where’s the Quetzal, Book #2 of The Empty-nesters Cozy Mystery Series, my birding group goes to Fort Pickens on Pensacola Beach. I keep these two specific settings in my mind as I write:

Now, let’s talk about creating that perfect setting.

• Know it: Be very familiar with where your story takes place. It might be a bustling metropolis, a quaint village, or a galaxy far, far away, and you need to know every nook and cranny of your setting. What’s the climate like? What about the culture, the politics, the economy? The more you know, the more immersive your world becomes.
• Show, Don’t Tell: As writers, we know this, but how to do it when you’re writing setting? Instead of dumping paragraphs of exposition, let the setting unfold naturally through your characters’ actions and observations. Include smells, how the air feels, and what the characters hear.

Using the 5 senses

• Use All Five Senses: Speaking of senses, don’t neglect any of them! Sight, sound, smell, taste, touch—use them to paint a vivid picture. Describe the way the sunlight filters through the leaves, the noise of a crowded marketplace, the aroma of sizzling street food. Use the five senses to make your setting come alive!

More ways to create the perfect setting

• Make It Relevant: Your setting shouldn’t just be a pretty backdrop; it should influence your story in meaningful ways. The harsh desert environment may force your characters to confront their own resilience. And the claustrophobic confines of a spaceship can amplify the tension between crewmates. Whatever the case, make sure your setting matters.
• Let It Evolve: Just like characters, settings can evolve over time. Seasons change, cities grow, civilizations rise and fall. Embrace these changes—they add depth and richness to your narrative.

Remember, the perfect setting isn’t just a place; it’s an experience. It’s the feeling of stepping into a world that’s simultaneously familiar and fantastical, where anything can happen and adventure awaits around every corner.

So, as you embark on your next writing journey, don’t underestimate the power of setting. Let it be the heartbeat of your story, the foundation upon which your imagination can soar. Happy world-building!

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Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married for over 37 years, have 5 amazing kids and 3 adorable grandkids. I homeschooled our three youngest children, and I used to blog about homeschooling. I also taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! My first cozy mystery, Birds Alive!, released Feb. 27, 2024!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)