How To Write Setting in Fiction
'One of the biggest mistakes writers make is neglecting the importance of setting.'
Setting is an integral part of any story, often functioning as a background character. It can hinder or assist the main characters on their journeys, create a desired atmosphere and provide an immersive experience for the reader. Lucy Foley's The Hunting Party would be nowhere near as tense if it was set in a city, Star Wars would likely fall flat if it was set on Earth and having any Jaqueline Wilson novel take place in a dystopian setting would feel jarring. The authors chose the settings of these for a reason: they fit the narratives, help build the desired atmosphere and often acts as a key character.
Here are my top tips on writing setting:
- Questionnaires: Treat The Setting as an Entity
Not only are questionnaires great for outlining character sketches ( check out my blog post on this), but they're also a useful tool when it comes to worldbuilding. The Ultimate Worldbuilding Template from The Novel Factory is a vital part of my story planning process, allowing me to create a detailed set of notes on setting, which I then use to outline my plot. For those who write high fantasy, historical fiction, or works with a heavy political influence, E A Deverall's worksheets are another fantastic tool. Both resources allow you to pick and choose the questions most relevant to your work, meaning you don't waste time on irrelevant details.
- It's Not Procrastination, It's Creation: using social media and games to paint a picture.
If you're anything like me, you spend an unhealthy amount of time on social media and other entertainment platforms. However, what if I told you there are plenty of ways to use these sites for setting inspiration? Pinterest boards and Spotify playlists are often the first things I create when I've come up with an idea for a story. They are perfect for feeling out the vibes of a piece, providing visual and audio inspiration and capturing the story's overall aesthetic. For the gamers out there, creating the worlds in games like Minecraft and The Sims is a fun and engaging way of connecting with your setting.
- Do your Research: Explore the Familiar and the Unfamiliar
Whilst it is always necessary to research any topics or places that inspire your novel, this doesn't have to consist of only reading textbooks. Internet Archive offers a fantastic range of free resources ranging from textbooks to old TV shows and fiction novels. Children's nonfiction resources like BBC Bitesize and Horrible Histories are another great starting point for gaining a basic understanding of your chosen topics.
Final Note
Worldbuilding is fun, however it's easy to get carried away. Try not to spend more than a few weeks on it initially – you can always go back and develop once you have a draft to work with. What are your favourite tips and tricks when it comes to worldbuilding/ setting? I'd love to hear them 😊
Love,
Em x