Comments on: Should We Think of Our Setting as a Character? https://writershelpingwriters.net/2021/03/should-we-think-of-our-setting-as-a-character/ Helping writers become bestselling authors Sun, 10 Sep 2023 06:33:49 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Jami Gold https://writershelpingwriters.net/2021/03/should-we-think-of-our-setting-as-a-character/#comment-708729 Fri, 19 Mar 2021 05:58:42 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=41489#comment-708729 In reply to Bob Nailor.

Hi Bob,
Great to hear from someone with your specific experience in teaching settings. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your insights and examples!

]]> By: Bob Nailor https://writershelpingwriters.net/2021/03/should-we-think-of-our-setting-as-a-character/#comment-708697 Thu, 18 Mar 2021 14:53:19 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=41489#comment-708697 I teach writing classes about characters and settings is one of the characters included. Students are amazed to discover the ambiance an environment (setting) can lend to the story. Yes, more so in fiction, especially fantasy/horror/scifi, but even romance, westerns, mysteries need it. Non-fiction can have the setting be detailed and enhanced. “Abe Lincoln grew up in a log cabin. The fireplace was his only source of light to read.” (Yawn.) “The cabin, built from sturdy oaks of the area, chinked with stone and mud, housed Abe and his family when he grew up. A centrally located fireplace not only heated the room but also gave Abe the light needed to learn to read during the dark, wintry nights.” I feel a writer who ignores the setting, cheats the reader. As I learned: Reader first.

]]> By: Jami Gold https://writershelpingwriters.net/2021/03/should-we-think-of-our-setting-as-a-character/#comment-708657 Thu, 11 Mar 2021 17:25:13 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=41489#comment-708657 In reply to Tina.

Hi Tina,

Yes, that’s very true and a great point! When our setting is just “real world” places, we can be dismissive of developing the details.

But atmosphere/mood, attitude, iconic details that make the place recognizable as special or specific, etc.–along with the backstory, conflicts, and arc stuff mentioned above–all still apply, and that means we can make our setting more than just generic background if we want. Thanks for stopping by!

]]> By: Tina https://writershelpingwriters.net/2021/03/should-we-think-of-our-setting-as-a-character/#comment-708641 Wed, 10 Mar 2021 21:29:15 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=41489#comment-708641 It’s super easy to forget about setting when your story isn’t somewhere fantastical. The anecdote about the Brady Bunch is a great reminder that any setting can make an impact. Thanks for this article.

]]> By: Jami Gold https://writershelpingwriters.net/2021/03/should-we-think-of-our-setting-as-a-character/#comment-708640 Wed, 10 Mar 2021 18:01:59 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=41489#comment-708640 In reply to BECCA PUGLISI.

Hi Becca,
Yes, I’ve always been a fan of being immersed in a story, and the development of the setting is a big part of that.

]]> By: Jami Gold https://writershelpingwriters.net/2021/03/should-we-think-of-our-setting-as-a-character/#comment-708639 Wed, 10 Mar 2021 17:59:47 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=41489#comment-708639 In reply to Lisa Hall-Wilson.

Hi Lisa,
Oh, those are wonderful examples! And the transformation of Belfast is definitely a look at how settings can have an arc too. Thanks so much for sharing!

]]> By: BECCA PUGLISI https://writershelpingwriters.net/2021/03/should-we-think-of-our-setting-as-a-character/#comment-708636 Wed, 10 Mar 2021 14:02:58 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=41489#comment-708636 My favorite stories are the ones where the setting feels like a character. Such great examples and tips here!

]]> By: Lisa Hall-Wilson https://writershelpingwriters.net/2021/03/should-we-think-of-our-setting-as-a-character/#comment-708635 Wed, 10 Mar 2021 00:33:18 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=41489#comment-708635 Great post. I love the way Diana Gabaldon makes Scotland a character in its own right in her Outlander series. Money is raised to save Scotland. War is fought to protect Scotland. Their battle cry: For Scotland!

Even when the story moves to the United States, “Scotland” is recreated intentionally among the settlers.

I just finished reading The Ghosts of Belfast by Neville. Belfast in the early 2000s is the current setting, but most of the story is about the old Belfast — the street riots, the indoctrination, the IRA bombings, etc. The city’s tired exterior was transformed as peace brought change both wanted and hated. The evolution of peace (however contrived or hated) contrasted and reflected the feelings of various characters.

]]> By: ANGELA ACKERMAN https://writershelpingwriters.net/2021/03/should-we-think-of-our-setting-as-a-character/#comment-708634 Tue, 09 Mar 2021 17:49:56 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=41489#comment-708634 In reply to Jami Gold.

Thank you! I sort of wish that I’d see that. It would have been pretty neat to see everyone’s reactions. Lots of memories. And LOTR, Hogwart’s – such good examples! When worldbuilding is dome well, it’s just unbelievable. And the proof is in the leveraging – Amazon’s LOTR series coming up, the fact that the Hobbit was then developed into a movie trilogy…people didn’t want to leave that world. And then there’s the gaming world crossovers to book and film (Halo, WOW. etc.)

]]> By: Jami Gold https://writershelpingwriters.net/2021/03/should-we-think-of-our-setting-as-a-character/#comment-708633 Tue, 09 Mar 2021 16:58:27 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/?p=41489#comment-708633 Thanks again for having me here! I needed the opportunity to turn my catch-up interest in the Brady house renovation into a post. 😉

]]>