3 Tips for Writing Better Settings

Writing a vivid, dynamic setting is crucial when it comes to storytelling. These tips will help you get the most out of your settings.

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Credit to SkyDilen for my video intro.

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[SpiritedHeart]

I hate, *hate, * *HATE* writing settings, because I actually flip-flop between overwriting and underwriting when it comes to them. I needed this video.

[Mr.H-YT]

One of the best bits of writing advice about setting I ever learned came from an improv comedy exercise. The focus was coming up with setting / activities for a scene that enhances a discussion in dialogue through contrast, symbolism, or emphasis.

Imagine the characters in a scene discussing theories of whodunnit in a murder case. Sure, they could sit in a cinderblock police evidence room poring over crime scene photos, but how much more interesting if they were talking about their suspects while putting on flippers and snorkels to do some spearfishing. The contrast of setting / topic makes it interesting. How many movies have mafia bosses talking about who needs to get whacked while at their kid's birthday party? (Of course, we can do better than old tropes!) Sometimes the crazy ideas work the best!

Things get really cool when you have a symbolic setting or activity. Two characters are debating Idea A vs. Idea B. Maybe they are in some sort of competition like a game that they can one-up each other while playing while one-upping each other's arguments or ideas. (See: the croquet game in Heathers, for example. Or any movie that wants the guy to be impressed when the woman he's hitting on hits a bullseye or throws their Judo instructor across the room.) Another trope-y version of this is someone chopping vegetables with a sharp knife to emphasize lurking danger or a veiled threat. Once on stage my scene partner and I were given the audience suggestions to discuss the benefits of education while building a pyramid. That turned into a commentary on corporations making slave labor out of workers and the blindness of workers to being taken advantage of... while lifting huge stone blocks into place and getting ordered around by a pharaoh.

Or emphasis. "We gotta solve this murder" is more impactful at a gravesite or over an open casket than when looking at a newspaper clipping over morning coffee.

[yehoshuabenavraham]

A fascinating use of setting is in Joyce’s story “The Dead, ” where the food is vividly painted and the guests, with one exception, are all pictured as dead in one way or another.

[josestelle]

Branson, you've just helped me improve my first two chapters, which are great already. Lots of visuals; not enough of the other senses. Also using setting and the five senses to enhance the character. Thanks.

[WriterBrandonMcNulty]

What other setting-related questions do you have? Let me know!

[stevensandersauthor]

Good advice about revealing the setting through action and character through the setting.

[frankfreelymejailer]

Wow. My 65K word book is missing ALL the settings. I think it just became a 85K word book. Thanks. I’ll let you know the title when it is published.

[keithmorris]

another good video. appreciated the various examples

[LucasPawlik]

Your channel is really helpful. You explain and analyze so well, that I wonder of ever made a test for how you rank on the autism spectrum?

[elizabethmcglothlin]

I hate 'white room syndrome" surroundings can show character, too.

[chriswest]

I think, I call it disription, is the hardest thing about writing a novel. Perhaps I'm being niave when I claim, if you can do that you can write a novel.