"The world exists only in your eyes, or in the way you conceive it. You can make it bigger or smaller as you wish" (F. Scott Fitzgerald).
The setting is one of the most important elements of a good novel. If developed correctly, it can truly bring the novel to life and fascinate readers. If you're having trouble coming up with a suitable setting for your book, then this article is for you.
Steps
Method 1 of 1: Writing the Setting
Step 1. Daydream about the world of your novel for a few minutes
There are several ways to find inspiration. Some writers listen to music as they collect their ideas for the setting; others take a walk, waiting for inspiration to come from the outside world; still others just sit in a quiet, peaceful place and think. Find the one that works best for you and get lost in your imagination.
Step 2. Once you have some general idea of the setting, you can start putting it on paper
It doesn't have to be something innovative. You don't even have to write complete sentences if you don't want to - sometimes, in the early stages of story development it's better to formulate single words that describe the setting rather than elaborate long paragraphs. Write down everything that comes to your mind, even if you're not sure it's going to work. You can easily discard any ideas you don't need later. You could also sketch mental pictures of the setting if you prefer. Remember to do whatever you feel is right for you. There are no rules to follow. Let your ideas flow freely.
Step 3. Make the setting vivid
It is necessary to create an open hole in the page that makes the reader fall into your world. If the setting is a rainforest, the animals must roar, scream and bark; the reader must be able to feel the inviting scent of exotic flowers, the wind and rain against their skin, the sapid juice that dances and sings in the mouth after a bite of a strange and wonderful fruit. Always take all five senses into consideration, even if you don't intend to highlight them, and if you feel you need to add something to the scene, comment on the tempo. The description is all up to you.
Step 4. "Show, don't tell" - it really works
Writing something like "It Was Hot" doesn't leave much to the reader's imagination and is difficult to relate to the novel. Instead, try linguistic experiments by drawing on various languages or unusual imaginaries. "The balmy cloak of sunlight embraced me softly" sounds a lot more interesting and engaging than "It was hot", doesn't it?
Step 5. Realize that you don't always have to show, but also tell
When describing an action scene, the exposition of the setting and what's going on needs to be clear but concise. Too many linguistic gimmicks at one time tend to make the reader nervous and distract from the main storyline, so don't overuse them. Once you really get into the setting, it will even become too easy to continually ramble around the scenes. Remember you have a true story to tell. Stay focused on the plot and the characters.
Step 6. At this point, you should have a fairly clear mental picture of the world the characters live in
If you're not 100% immersed in the frame of your novel, you can always do some warm-up exercises. Write a page or two about the setting as you explore it. Use whatever perspective comes naturally to you. You could take on the role of an existing character in the book, create a new one, or even write an expedition report from YOUR point of view. Get lost in the setting you created, and most of all, have fun.
Step 7. Find a good feedback system that works
As a writer, you won't always spot the errors and inconsistencies the reader might see. Show what you wrote to a trusted person and ask them if the scene structure is effective enough or join an online writing forum.
Step 8. Keep working on the setting until it's perfect
Most good writers go through the written parts so hard that they memorize them. You can eliminate inconvenient details, add more information that you think would add liveliness to a scene, or just read.
Step 9. If you truly have a passion for the delicate craft of writing, then there is nothing you will not be able to achieve
Advice
- Carry a small notepad around with you. Whenever an idea strikes you, write it down right away.
- Read, read, read. Reading a brilliant passage that features a book's setting can push you to make your story even more vivid. Try out different genres and authors to experiment with different framework styles for the setting. In this way you will be able to outline your own original style.
- If the setting is somewhere you've never been - for example, in the desert or jungle - be sure to study it thoroughly and view various photos on the Internet.
- Come up with some ideas while doing the boring, daily household chores. You can collect your ideas in the shower or while vacuuming.
