Crafting vivid story settings is all about making your readers feel like they’re actually there! But how does a writer accomplish that? I do great with dialog, never an issue coming up with things for people to say, but I still struggle with description. I have to work at it (usually in the self-editing stage), so don’t fret if you find yourself on the ship with me.
That said, let’s dive in.
Why Settings Matter
Vivid story settings aren’t just about where the action takes place. Your setting should enhance the story and immerse your readers in another world. Whether your story unfolds in a bustling city, a sleepy village, or an alien planet, your setting should feel alive.
Donald Maass, in his book Writing the Breakout Novel, states that how a setting makes people feel is the key, not how a place looks. An example he gives is, “This place gives me the creeps.” We’ve all read/heard/said that line. His recommendation: “Try evoking the description the way it is experienced by a character.” What a difference that can make! No two characters will experience it the same way.
Surprisingly, setting can be a character in its own right. Have you read a book like that? Not sure I have, but the movie Castaway comes to mind.
Engage All the Senses and Emotions
Here’s the secret: To create an incredible setting, you must engage all five senses and the reader’s emotions.
Sight: Let’s start with the obvious, because most of us do. What do your characters see? Is the sky an ominous charcoal gray? Are the trees swaying in a warm Hawaiian breeze or being pitched to and fro with hurricane force? Use vivid nouns and active verbs to set the scene visually.
Sound: What does your setting sound like? From the chatter of squirrels to the distant roar of a dragon, sounds can add depth and immersion.
Smell: We’re all familiar with the scents of fresh baked bread and brewing coffee and what they excite in us. What smells define your setting? Make your readers retch with the stench of a dragon’s lair or swoon with the aroma of blooming flowers.
Touch: Whether it’s the frigidness of a winter’s night or the sweltering rays of a summer day at high noon, getting tactile helps your readers feel what your characters are experiencing—and that’s magnetic.
Taste: Foods can range from salty, bitter, sour, sweet, and savory. But don’t forget objects not meant for consumption also have a taste to them. One that comes readily to mind for me is pencil dust from all those years in elementary school, sharpening my pencils. Mentioning taste can add unexpected layers.
Emotion: Each of the senses can elicit an emotional response. Those ominous clouds might bring fear to most people, but to a storm chaser they bring the thrill of the hunt. Does that taste of pencil dust trigger the joy of carefree childhood days or the dread of flunking yet another test? What emotions is your character experiencing in the midst of your setting?
Paint the Picture with Vivid Nouns and Active Verbs
Vivid nouns help create strong imagery. Step outside the generic and into the realm of specific. Instead of cat, try yellow tabby. Replace tree with towering sycamore.
Active verbs are like caffeine for your sentences—don’t let them sip on decaf. Instead of saying, “The wind blew through the trees,” how about, “The wind whooshed through the trees, making the leaves sing with joy.”
Length of Description
Finding the right balance for descriptions can be tricky. Gone are the days of pages and pages of description. Readers don’t have the patience for it. But too short and they feel cheated. A rule of thumb I use is to give the reader only as much as is needed at that very moment in the story. If your character is hanging on the edge of a cliff, he/she isn’t going to stop to observe the scenery. They’ll be searching for a way to climb to safety.
Keep It Relevant to the Story
Always remember that your setting should serve the story. If it doesn’t add value (this applies to everything in your story), it’s time to cut back.
If you’re writing fantasy or sci-fi, your setting will need more attention. You’re building worlds as unique as your characters, and that comes with a hefty dose of description and insights into how things work in that world. What are the societal norms? What are the flora and fauna like? (Do they even have plants and animals?) Be well read in your genre to learn the techniques it demands.
Remember, readers are drawn to read because they want to experience a world different from their own (real or otherwise), so give them something lush to savor! Paint vibrant places, let them explore, and make your readers part of the adventure.
Bringing It All Together
You don’t have to be Shakespeare—be you!—use your senses, language, and flair to bring your settings to life. Be conscious of how much your setting contributes to the overall tone of your story. Can you imagine a horror story on the idyllic shores of Maui? (I’m not a horror fan; maybe that’s already been done.)
Now go ahead, paint grand pictures, and let your readers lose themselves in the worlds you create. And remember: if they start talking about how much they loved the setting, take pride that your creation wasn’t just a background, but a canvas for their imaginations.
Creating vivid story settings is like hosting a fantastic dinner party—you want to serve a feast of sensory and emotional delights that keep your guests enthralled!
