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?
44 comments:
Happy Birthday to CJ again. Have a GREAT Wednesday! Hugs, Valerie
Great post, Belated birthday greetings to CJ.
Have a ggod day Sandra.
Yvonne.
Happy Birthday CJ.
I do love reading a piece when the setting almost becomes a character in its own right...
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.
If I read it, that will be just one more thing I don't see in submissions to DLP. LOL
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
Experience and practice help me totally.
Great post, Belated birthday greetings to CJ.
Have a ggod day Sandra.
แตกใน xxx
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
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.
happy birthday to CJ.
You have a great one too, Val!
Hugs back,
Thanks, Yvonne:)
You have a great day too.
I do too, EC. Some authors really excel.
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.
This looks like an excellent collection. Thanks for bringing it to our attention! I love this series of posts.
I do too, Alex. But I'm making a determined effort:)
Settings have so much power. We should utilize settings to their fullest. :)
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.
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.
For sure, Steve.
Thank you, Sin:) And to you.
I've started on her Hook series:)
Mary Buckham's stuff is great. I've read her material and it's always spot on.
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?
:)
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.
That's good to hear, Jeanie:)
Agreed, Chrys:)
Happy Birthday to CJ
Happy Wednesday to all.
All the best Jan
Happy Birthday! Have a nice time!
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!
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
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
Whatever you do or don't do, Robert, certainly works.
I enthusiastically agree, Lee:)
Nice wishes. Thank you, Jan:)
Enjoyed your blog, Shon.
I agree, Yolanda. I love it when the two are intertwined.
For sure, Birgit.
I found her to be quite knowledgeable in all things setting:)
Hope you're having a good one, Hilary.
Happy Birthday CJ!!!
What you found, sounds very interesting for people who write!!
Big Hugs Sandra!
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