Wednesday, August 2, 2017

IWSG Wednesday




The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

Settings

As writers, I believe most of us are always on the lookout for writing guides that help map and improve our creative journey. I've ran across a three part E series by Mary Buckham  on writing active setting that I found enlightening.  Have you read it?  If not you may find it helpful too. 
I must admit, that for the most part when I wrote settings, my motive was to bring the reader into the story by visualization and pull them into the story's location. But settings can offer so much more as shown in these three books.
Writing Active Setting Book 1 deals with characterization and sensory detail
Writing Active Setting Book 2--conflict and backstory
Writing Active Setting Book 3--anchoring, action, as a character and more.
Whew. That's a lot to work into a setting. 
Buckham gives many examples and shows many different authors' styles. Some write a wonderful setting in a couple of sentences, others in a couple of paragraphs. 
Setting is a wonderful tool than can be used to anchor the reader, give time and season, show foreshadowing, emotion, POV and more.
This set has gone into my toolbox.  
What about you? What writing guide have you found to be helpful? 



42 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Happy Birthday to CJ again. Have a GREAT Wednesday! Hugs, Valerie

nashvillecats2 said...

Great post, Belated birthday greetings to CJ.
Have a ggod day Sandra.

Yvonne.

Elephant's Child said...

Happy Birthday CJ.
I do love reading a piece when the setting almost becomes a character in its own right...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

It's taken me a while to learn to really incorporate setting but I know I fall short of what Mary describes.
Happy birthday to CJ.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

If I read it, that will be just one more thing I don't see in submissions to DLP. LOL

Pat Hatt said...

Setting sure can be a win and help out. I use it unless it feels forced, not saying I use it as good as some though haha

Out on the prairie said...

Experience and practice help me totally.

Anonymous said...

Great post, Belated birthday greetings to CJ.
Have a ggod day Sandra.



แตกใน xxx

emaginette said...

I've bought all three but only read the first one. I don't remember why I didn't read on. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Crystal Collier said...

YES. I think the first job if a setting is creating the ambiance, and after that, I love it for foreshadowing. One book I'm reading right now does a fabulous job of using it to bring out the character's quirks. I suppose that's why it's so important to read, eh? To learn from others.

Jamie Ghione said...

happy birthday to CJ.

Sandra Cox said...

You have a great one too, Val!
Hugs back,

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Yvonne:)
You have a great day too.

Sandra Cox said...

I do too, EC. Some authors really excel.

Annalisa Crawford said...

I either include too much or not even setting when I write - the balance is hard to achieve. I might have to look out for those books.

I used to obsessively read how-to books - my favourite was a runner up prize in a competition, called something like 'Tales from an Editor's Desk' - very useful, especially the real-life anecdotes.

Jeanie said...

This looks like an excellent collection. Thanks for bringing it to our attention! I love this series of posts.

Sandra Cox said...

I do too, Alex. But I'm making a determined effort:)

Chrys Fey said...

Settings have so much power. We should utilize settings to their fullest. :)

H.R. Bennett said...

Ooo~ Personally, I've never read too many writing guides. Given how organic and therapeutic writing is for me, the only guide I've ever really had was responses. Putting stuff out there and having people like it or not. Maybe I SHOULD, but I've just never dedicated myself to it.

Sandra Cox said...

I think we all strive to keep improving in all areas of our writing, including setting. I agree about not writing it if it feels forced, Pat.

Sandra Cox said...

For sure, Steve.

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you, Sin:) And to you.

Sandra Cox said...

I've started on her Hook series:)

cleemckenzie said...

Mary Buckham's stuff is great. I've read her material and it's always spot on.

Sandra Cox said...

For sure, Crystal.
You know, I had an editor who didn't want any foreshadowing and skimpy setting. I never did understand the no foreshadowing and I would have liked more freedom with setting. Everyone has their own ideas on what works and what doesn't, don't they?

Sandra Cox said...

:)

Sandra Cox said...

I don't think you can read too many how-to books. If nothing else it gives us different perspectives.
Setting can be challenging, I'm trying to improve my characterization during scenes.

Sandra Cox said...

That's good to hear, Jeanie:)

Sandra Cox said...

Agreed, Chrys:)

Lowcarb team member said...

Happy Birthday to CJ
Happy Wednesday to all.

All the best Jan

SHON said...

Happy Birthday! Have a nice time!

Yolanda Renée said...

I love settings and it was through great description that I was able to travel to amazing places when I read as a child. Today, it's all about the action, but a great setting still makes the story visual!

Birgit said...

First...happy birthday to CJ. I think description and ambience must be important to hold ones attention to a book. There is so much that must hold a reader's attention but a good writer knows this and they must love to read and must love to write

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sandra - interesting to know about Mary Buckham ... and settings which I love reading about ... but they need to fit the book and characters. Happy birthday to CJ ... cheers Hilary

Sandra Cox said...

Whatever you do or don't do, Robert, certainly works.

Sandra Cox said...

I enthusiastically agree, Lee:)

Sandra Cox said...

Nice wishes. Thank you, Jan:)

Sandra Cox said...

Enjoyed your blog, Shon.

Sandra Cox said...

I agree, Yolanda. I love it when the two are intertwined.

Sandra Cox said...

For sure, Birgit.

Sandra Cox said...

I found her to be quite knowledgeable in all things setting:)
Hope you're having a good one, Hilary.

Magic Love Crow said...

Happy Birthday CJ!!!
What you found, sounds very interesting for people who write!!
Big Hugs Sandra!