Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today, I am exploring the idea of ‘setting’ and, in particular, its importance in storytelling.
The Importance of Setting in Storytelling
Storytelling is a complex and layered art form, but there are some fundamental elements that all stories have in common, and one of the most essential elements is ‘setting’; it’s where your characters live and where everything in the story takes place.
Without ‘setting’, a story would be nothing more than an idea bouncing around in the author’s head. But it is not just about where the action takes place; ‘setting’ also acts as a gateway for the reader — it’s what their imaginations latch onto, the spark that helps to create the whole story world in their mind.
Why Do Stories Need a Setting?
As well as being an environment for the characters to inhabit and interact with one another, ‘setting’ also gives a sense of time and place and allows readers to connect with the story on a deeper emotional level. With the ability to imagine the whole world of your story, readers can feel like they are there, experiencing the story along with your characters.
It’s all about creating a whole world with your words, which, admittedly, sounds alarmingly complicated and ‘big’, but it doesn’t need to be.
Developing Your Setting
When developing your ‘setting’, remember that you don’t need to know every last detail about it before you start writing; instead, focus on creating vivid images that capture what the story world looks like from your protagonist’s perspective. Think about how the story world might look from their point of view — what colours do they see? What shapes and styles are the buildings? How does this environment make them feel? Asking these questions will help you create a believable world for your readers to visualise as they read through your story. You may even want to draw out diagrams or maps so that you have something tangible that you can refer back to while crafting your scenes.
Again, you don’t need to overcomplicate things; if you like, you can begin by describing two or three standout things in each scene and add more later if you feel it’s needed.
How to Make the Most of Your Setting
Use Setting to Create Imagery and Atmosphere
The first thing that comes to mind when we think of ‘setting’ is imagery — the sights, smells, sounds, and textures that bring a scene to life. When done well, ‘setting’ establishes atmosphere by providing sensory cues that transport readers directly into your story world, helping create a connection between the reader and the characters because they can experience the same sights and smells. We all know, for instance, what fresh lemons smell like, and while we (hopefully) don’t all know what a decomposing corpse looks or smells like, most of us can imagine.
Use Setting to Create the Mood of a Story
‘Setting’ can create moods in literature, which can help readers become immersed in a story. For example, if you think about some classic novels such as A Christmas Carol, you may recall the vivid descriptions of its ‘setting’; Charles Dickens’ descriptions of Victorian London evoke poverty and greed while gladly, at the same time, through the charitable efforts of others, offering hope.
Use Setting for Plot Development
‘Setting’ can advance plot development. In many cases, an author will describe certain aspects of their ‘settings’ to foreshadow upcoming events or provide hints about what might happen next in the story, which creates suspense for readers and keeps them engaged until the story reaches its climax. For example, in Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl (although it’s a diary and, sadly, not fiction), Anne describes the close quarters her family lived in while hiding from the Nazis. In such close quarters, tensions were high, especially considering that eight people lived together in the Secret Annex and how quiet they had to be.
Use Setting to Help with Characterisation
Finally, ‘setting’ can help with characterisation and character development. By describing specific aspects of a character’s environment — for example, their home or where they work — authors can give readers insight into who these characters are without letting them know explicitly. For instance, if you have two characters in your story who live in entirely different ‘settings’ — say one lives in an upscale apartment while another lives in a run-down trailer — this tells us something about their respective lifestyles without spelling it out.
Overall, it’s important to remember your story’s ‘setting’ is essential for creating a good connection with your reader. It’s crucial to thoroughly consider where you set your stories because each ‘setting’ conveys something different; from imagery to tone and mood to character development, ‘setting’ can transform even the most simple stories into something special. So don’t underestimate the importance of ‘setting’ – use it wisely!
Thank you, as ever, for stopping by!
Until next time,
George
© 2024 GLT
Categories: Setting, Writing Tips
GEORGE L THOMAS 
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