setting in creative writing

Story setting ideas: 6 effective setting examples and tips

The best book setting ideas are effective. In a novel where the author performs careful worldbuilding, the story setting enriches plot events with atmosphere and mood; context and contrast. Here are 6 story setting examples and tips we can gather from reading them

• Post author By Jordan
• 8 Comments on Story setting ideas: 6 effective setting examples and tips

The best book setting ideas are highly effective.

Setting is a literary device where a writer establishes a time frame, location and the environment of a story.

In a novel where the author performs careful worldbuilding, the story setting enriches plot events with atmosphere and mood; context and contrast. Here are 6 story setting examples and tips we can gather from reading them:

1. Give your story setting detail

A magical ‘elsewhere’ is one of the key ingredients of many fantasy novels, particularly in portal fantasies where characters travel between our ordinary world and a world of magical landscapes and creatures.

One of the reasons why children (and adults) around the world fell in love with J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter  series is the depth and intricacy of Rowling’s settings. Rowling’s world is one of stark contrasts, from Harry’s aunt and uncle’s ordinary and oppressive suburban home to the towering spires of the series’ school of magic, Hogwarts.

Like Rowling, give your setting detail when writing a novel .

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a character in itself. Portraits of prior staff hanging in corridors are animated and talk. Stairways move by enchantment. Even the ceiling design of the school’s dining hall changes according to school events and seasons.

Further, Rowling is smart because she gradually reveals details of Hogwarts’ many additional rooms and secrets over the course of the series. Setting drives plot, truly.

There is thus setting development as the reader moves deeper into her fictional world.

As you plan and create your setting [a section of Now Novel’s idea finding tool is devoted to this – try it ], think about how you can expand your characters’ environment as the story unfolds. For example, if you’re writing a novel set in a real-world city, think about how a plot development might take a primary character to a region of the city they’ve never frequented. This expansive approach to setting helps to prevent a static, unchanging and ultimately boring setting. It’s also worth considering the historical period of your novel, and seeing how that might contribute to shaping your characters’ behaviors and experiences. Look too at the social setting, which refers to the social environment of a story, how and where the characters live, and their relationships. A temporal setting, by contrast refers to the historical period and the cultural and political struggles of that time, for example, the Vietnam War, or the Cold War.

2. Learn from vivid story setting examples

The Victorian author Charles Dickens was a master at  crafting believable, mood-filled settings . Dickens’ London is almost a character in itself in novels such as Great Expectations  (1861) and Nicholas Nickleby  (1861). In this setting description example from Oliver Twist (1838), Dickens creates a journey into the bustling heart of 19th century London:

The public-houses, with gas-lights burning inside, were already open. By degrees, other shops began to be unclosed, and a few scattered people were met with. Then, came straggling groups of labourers going to their work; then, men and women with fish-baskets on their heads; donkey-carts laden with vegetables; chaise-carts filled with livestock or whole carcasses of meat; milk-women with pails; an unbroken concourse of people trudging out with various supplies to the eastern suburbs of the town. As they approached the City, the noise and traffic gradually increased; when they threaded the streets between Shoreditch and Smithfield, it had swelled into a roar of sound and bustle.

In just a few lines, Dickens conveys the passage from city outskirts to inner city and the multitude and variety of inhabitants you would find in this place, at this time. If you’re setting your novel in a real city, whether now or in the past, find novels set in the same area and examine how other authors have conveyed place successfully.

Brainstorm and Organize Story Settings

Brainstorm vivid story settings in the Now Novel dashboard and get feedback from your writing community.

3. Make setting actively contribute to your plot

A great setting plays its own part in a story’s events. Lovers meet by chance on the underground, brought together by a city’s transport infrastructure. In a fantasy novel , impassable terrain tests the ingenuity and resolve of a band of adventurers.

Tolkien’s Middle Earth from the Lord of the Rings cycle is an excellent example of ‘active’, effective setting and worldbuilding. The further Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring pass from the Hobbit’s home territory, The Shire, the more danger they encounter in the landscape.

For example, when the band attempts to cross the Misty Mountains in their travels towards Mordor, their progress is impeded by heavy snowfall and they are attacked by mountain dwelling ‘wargs’. This forces them to go through an underground pass (the Mines of Moria), itself fraught with danger and environmental obstacles.

Even if your novel is not fantasy, your story setting can help to carve out a path for characters.

A character living in the countryside who moves to the city (or vice versa) will encounter new challenges, from different mindsets and ways of life to changed economic and other circumstances.

4. Show the effects of time on setting

Time is a vital component of story setting. Dickens’ Victorian London is wholly different from the London we find today, no longer populated by countless hawkers and horse-drawn carts. Tweet This

Showing how your setting changes over time adds a sense of history and evolution to your story.

In his novel Brideshead Revisited  (1945), Evelyn Waugh creates a strong sense of history through setting. Looking at the time period here, hee shows his protagonist Charles Ryder visit his friend’s family mansion before and after World War II. The once-grand building has been damaged and acquires a ghostly, nostalgic character as time and historical events change it completely.

If your story spans multiple months, years or even decades, think about how time might impact setting:

• Will familiar locations – shops and bars, for example – expand, move or close down?
• In a city setting, is the city in growth or decline? Are new places opening or are buildings being boarded up and abandoned?

This setting element is especially important when writing fiction set in a real time and place – read up about the conditions of the time and make your setting show these conditions. For example, if writing about the post-war recession in the 20th century, show, via setting, the effects of time and change on your characters’ surrounds.

5. Use setting symbolically

Besides giving context and a backdrop for your story’s action, setting also supplies symbols. For example, the abandoned house in horror fiction is a setting symbolizing disappearance. We associate a house with habitation, thus there is an implicit, suspenseful ‘missing’ in horror’s abandoned homes. This is an integral setting, that is vital to the setting of such a story. It sets the scene for alternate habitations – poltergeists, deranged killers and other ‘unhomely’, ominous figures.

In C.S. Lewis’ fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia , Lewis’ setting is rich with symbolism. In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950), the central characters discover a hidden fantasy world presided over by the ‘White Witch’, Narnia’s self-proclaimed queen. It is always winter in Narnia due to the White Witch having cast a spell over the land.

This static time setting is symbolic of the tyranny of the White Witch’s rule, the harshness and limited freedoms she imposes on her animal subjects. The perpetual winter also symbolises the suspension of the usual order of cyclical death and rebirth implicit in seasonal change from winter to summer and back. This element thus supplies some of the tension of the novel as Narnia waits for the chance to resume life’s usual cycles.

When crafting your novel’s setting, think about what time of day and place or physical location in your story symbolize. In Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings cycle, for example, each geographical area has its own landscape reflecting, in part, the character of its inhabitants. The peace-loving Hobbits’ Shire is all green, rolling hills, while the villain’s homeland Mordor is full of sulphur pits and jagged mountain ranges.

6. Use the five senses to deepen setting description

A vivid scene includes more than a visual sense of setting alone. Other details – the smell, feel and sound of a place – are equally important. These are all part of the ‘backdrop setting’ of the story, so that your readers get a sense of the place where your story is set. 

When describing a place in fiction, think about the sounds, smells and other sense details that distinguish it from others. Here is Dickens describing the industrial city of Coketown, for example, in Hard Times (1854):

It was a town of red brick, or of brick that would have been red if the smoke and ashes had allowed it; but as matters stood, it was a town of unnatural red and black … It had a black canal in it, and a river that ran purple with ill-smelling dye, and vast piles of building full of windows where there was a rattling and a trembling all day long, and where the piston of the steam-engine worked monotonously up and down, like the head of an elephant in a state of melancholy madness.

In addition to visual description, Dickens includes smell (the river pollution) and the ‘monotonous’ sounds of industry. In sum, the description conjures a vivid mental image of the town. Dickens also shows how the industrial activities that take place in his setting alter it. Setting and action affect each other.

Create a novel in easy, simple steps using our tools and resources and get helpful feedback on your own setting descriptions.

Related Posts:

• Story setting ideas: 7 tips to immerse readers
• Vivid story setting description: Examples and insights
• How to describe setting: 6 ways to bring setting to life
• Tags setting , setting examples , worldbuilding

Jordan is a writer, editor, community manager and product developer. He received his BA Honours in English Literature and his undergraduate in English Literature and Music from the University of Cape Town.

8 replies on “Story setting ideas: 6 effective setting examples and tips”

Wonderful examples and well written. I found this very useful.

Thanks, Kimberly! Thank you for reading our blog, I’m glad you’ve found it useful.

Wow!!!!! Great Examples over there!!!

Thank you, thanks for reading our blog!

I could make better examples in my sleep. while eating ice cream.

Hi Bongo, thanks for your feedback. I’m impressed you have such cognitive capacity in your sleep. Please share the examples you’ve created (and what flavor ice cream you were eating). But please be careful that you don’t choke.

im a female age 20 im only 20 miles away. and im lonely.

This is a good example of a weak story setting, ‘meggnutt’. Spam comments of a lascivious nature could have much more interesting implied settings than ‘near you’ or ‘only 20 miles away’. Why not something more creative, interesting, enticing than the go-to obviousness of convenience that appeals to the lowest common denominator?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Pin It on Pinterest

Give Readers a Sense of Time and Place: How to Create a Vivid Setting in Your Writing

Affiliate Disclaimer

As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

Giving readers a sense of time and place is essential for any writer who wants to create a vivid and engaging story. Readers want to be transported to a different world, whether it’s a different time period or a different location. To do this, writers must be able to create a sense of time and place that is both accurate and believable.

One of the most important aspects of creating a sense of time and place is research. Writers must be able to accurately portray the time period or location they are writing about. This means doing extensive research on everything from the clothing people wore to the food they ate. It also means understanding the social and cultural norms of the time period or location. By doing this, writers can create a world that feels authentic and believable to readers.

Another important aspect of creating a sense of time and place is using descriptive language. Writers must be able to paint a picture in the reader’s mind, using words to create a vivid and engaging world. This means using sensory details to describe everything from the sights and sounds to the smells and tastes of the world they are creating. By doing this, readers will feel like they are right there in the story, experiencing everything alongside the characters.

Crafting the Setting

Crafting the setting of a story is a vital aspect of creating a sense of time and place. The setting of a story can be used to establish the atmosphere, context, and geographical location of a narrative. In this section, we will explore the key elements of crafting the setting, including describing the environment, incorporating senses, and utilizing research.

Describing the Environment

One of the most important aspects of crafting the setting is providing a vivid description of the environment. This can include details such as the climate, architecture, weeds, creatures, and plants that are present in the setting. Providing these details can help readers visualize the world of the story and create a sense of immersion.

To effectively describe the environment, it is important to consider the context of the story. For example, if a story is set in a post-apocalyptic world, the environment might be characterized by ruined buildings, overgrown vegetation, and a scarcity of resources. By contrast, a story set in a bustling city might feature skyscrapers, crowded streets, and a cacophony of sounds.

Incorporating Senses

In addition to describing the environment, it is important to incorporate the senses into the setting. This can include describing the sounds, smells, and textures of the environment, as well as the visual elements. By incorporating the senses, readers can more fully immerse themselves in the world of the story.

For example, a story set in a forest might describe the rustling of leaves, the smell of pine needles, and the feel of rough bark against skin. By contrast, a story set in a busy marketplace might describe the sound of vendors hawking their wares, the smell of spices and cooking food, and the feel of crowds pushing against one another.

Utilizing Research

Finally, it is important to utilize research when crafting the setting of a story. This can include researching the historical, cultural, and geographical context of the setting, as well as the flora and fauna that might be present. By utilizing research, writers can create a more accurate and immersive setting.

For example, a story set in ancient Greece might utilize research on the architecture, clothing, and customs of the time period. Similarly, a story set in a rainforest might utilize research on the plants and animals that are native to the area.

In conclusion, crafting the setting of a story is a complex and important task. By describing the environment, incorporating senses, and utilizing research, writers can create a vivid and immersive world that transports readers to another time and place.

Developing the Narrative

When it comes to developing a narrative, it’s essential to give readers a sense of time and place. This can help them better understand the story, its characters, and the events that take place. In this section, we’ll explore some ways to do just that.

Establishing Time and Place

One of the most critical aspects of developing a narrative is establishing the time and place in which the story takes place. This can be done in several ways, such as describing the landscape, architecture, or clothing of the characters. Another way is to use specific dates or historical events to anchor the story in time.

Building the Backdrop

The backdrop of a story is the environment in which the characters exist. It’s essential to create a vivid and detailed backdrop that readers can visualize in their minds. This can be achieved by using sensory details such as smells, sounds, and textures. The backdrop can also be used to convey mood and atmosphere, which can help create a more immersive reading experience.

Creating Emotional Connection

To truly engage readers , it’s essential to create an emotional connection between them and the story’s characters. This can be done by developing well-rounded characters with relatable motivations and emotions. It’s also important to use language that evokes emotion and creates a sense of empathy or connection with the characters.

Overall, developing a narrative that gives readers a sense of time and place is crucial for creating an engaging and immersive reading experience. By establishing the time and place, building a vivid backdrop, and creating an emotional connection, writers can transport readers to another world and keep them invested in the story.

Characterization Through Setting

Setting can be used to reveal character in a variety of ways. By describing a character’s environment, readers can gain insight into their behavior, attitudes, and personality. In this section, we will explore two ways in which setting can be used for characterization: revealing characters via environment and dialogue and dialect.

Revealing Characters Via Environment

A character’s environment can provide valuable information about their personality and behavior. For example, a character who lives in a cluttered, disorganized apartment may be seen as lazy or unmotivated. On the other hand, a character who lives in a pristine, minimalist space may be seen as uptight or obsessive.

By describing a character’s environment in detail, writers can give readers a sense of their personality and behavior. For instance, if a character’s apartment is filled with books and artwork, readers may infer that they are intellectual and creative. If a character’s home is decorated with expensive furniture and accessories, readers may assume that they are wealthy or materialistic.

Dialogue and Dialect

Dialogue and dialect can also be used to reveal a character’s personality and behavior. The way a character speaks can provide valuable information about their background, education, and social status. For example, a character who speaks in a formal, educated manner may be seen as intelligent and sophisticated. Conversely, a character who uses slang and speaks in a more casual manner may be seen as less educated or lower class.

Dialect can also be used to reveal a character’s background and upbringing. For example, a character who speaks with a southern drawl may be seen as coming from a rural or southern background. A character who speaks with a British accent may be seen as coming from a more affluent or upper-class background.

By paying attention to a character’s dialogue and dialect, writers can give readers a sense of their personality and behavior. For example, a character who speaks in a formal, educated manner may be seen as intelligent and sophisticated. Conversely, a character who uses slang and speaks in a more casual manner may be seen as less educated or lower class.

Engaging the Reader’s Imagination

When writing a story, it’s important to engage the reader’s imagination and transport them to the world you’ve created. This can be achieved through the use of descriptive language and sensory details that allow the reader to fully immerse themselves in the story.

Invoking the Five Senses

One effective way to engage the reader’s imagination is by invoking the five senses: sound, sight, smell, touch, and taste. By describing the sights, sounds, and smells of a particular place or moment in time, the reader can more easily visualize and connect with the story.

For example, instead of simply saying that a character walked through a forest, the writer could describe the rustling of leaves underfoot, the scent of pine needles in the air, and the dappling of sunlight through the trees. This level of detail helps to create a more vivid and immersive experience for the reader.

Using Descriptive Language

Another way to engage the reader’s imagination is through the use of descriptive language. By choosing words and phrases that evoke a particular mood or feeling, the writer can create a more powerful and memorable reading experience.

For example, instead of saying that a character was sad, the writer could describe the heaviness in their chest, the tears welling up in their eyes, and the ache in their throat. This level of detail helps to create a more empathetic and relatable character, and allows the reader to better connect with their emotions.

Overall, by using sensory details and descriptive language, writers can create a more immersive and engaging reading experience for their audience. By transporting the reader to a particular time and place, the writer can fully engage their imagination and bring the story to life.

Historical and Cultural Context

Reflecting the Era

When writing a story, it’s important to give readers a sense of the time period in which the story takes place. This can be achieved by incorporating historical details that accurately reflect the era. For example, if the story takes place in the 1920s, the author may describe the fashion, music, and technology of that time period. By doing so, readers can better understand the characters and their actions in the context of the time period.

In a murder mystery set in the 1940s, the author may describe the impact of World War II on the city and its inhabitants. The author may also incorporate details about the government’s role in the war effort and how it affected daily life. By doing so, the author can create a more immersive experience for the reader and help them understand the motivations of the characters.

Conveying Cultural Atmosphere

In addition to historical details, it’s also important to convey the cultural atmosphere of the setting. This can be achieved by describing the geography, architecture, and customs of the region. For example, if the story takes place in New York City, the author may describe the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers that define the city’s skyline.

If the story takes place in a desert region, the author may describe the harsh climate and rugged terrain that define the landscape. By doing so, the author can create a more vivid and immersive experience for the reader.

Incorporating photos or illustrations can also help convey the cultural atmosphere of the setting. For example, if the story takes place in a foreign country, the author may include photos of the local architecture or landmarks to help readers visualize the setting.

Overall, by incorporating historical and cultural details, authors can give readers a sense of time and place, creating a more immersive and engaging reading experience.

Latest posts

Achieving Your Word Count Goals with Daily Sprints: A Guide

Many writers struggle with meeting their word count goals, whether it’s for a school assignment, a blog post, or a novel. It can be frustrating to stare at a blank page or screen and feel like you’re not making progress. However, there is a technique that can help you achieve your word count goals and…

Beat Burnout: Setting Reasonable Writing Expectations

Writing can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience, but it can also be exhausting and draining. Writing burnout is a real phenomenon that can affect anyone, from professional writers to students. When writers push themselves too hard, they can experience stress, lack of motivation, and even physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue. To avoid burnout,…

Dealing with Criticism and Rejection as an Author: Tips and Strategies

As an author, receiving criticism and rejection is an inevitable part of the writing process. It can be difficult to navigate the emotions that come with having your work scrutinized, but it’s important to remember that criticism and rejection are not personal attacks. Instead, they are opportunities for growth and improvement. One way to deal…

• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Use Setting

I. What is Setting?

Setting is the time and place (or when and where) of the story. It’s a literary element of literature used in novels, short stories, plays, films, etc., and usually introduced during the exposition (beginning) of the story, along with the characters . The setting may also include the environment of the story, which can be made up of the physical location, climate, weather, or social and cultural surroundings.

There are various ways that time and place indicate setting. Time can cover many areas, such as the character’s time of life, the time of day, time of year, time period such as the past, present, or future, etc. Place also covers a lot of areas, such as a certain building, room in a building, country, city, beach, in a mode of transport such as a car, bus, boat, indoors or out, etc.  The setting of a story can change throughout the plot. The environment includes geographical location such as beach or mountains, the climate and weather, and the social or cultural aspects such as a school, theatre, meeting, club, etc.

II. Examples of Setting

A simple example to understand setting is the Disney movie “Cinderella.” The setting starts out as

Time: Cinderella as a young girl, long ago in the past

Place: Cinderella’s home in a kingdom far away

After her father dies, the time aspect of setting changes, skipping roughly ten years into the future. Understanding this change in time helps in keeping up with the story.

Time: Cinderella as a young woman, long ago in the past

Place: Cinderella’s home in a kingdom, in her bedroom and in the kitchen

Read this example below to see how setting is written into a story.

As the sun set in the evening sky, Malcolm slowly turned and walked toward his home. All was silent and still. Through the window, he could see his older brother James watching a football game on the TV. James was home from his first year of college in the city. It was lonely at times, but Malcolm felt it was rather nice to not be in James’ shadow during his senior year of high school.

Time: evening, senior year of high school, and modern times (they have a TV)

Place: Malcolm’s home, and possibly the suburbs or country (his brother has gone to the city for school).

III. Types of Setting

There are two types of setting, each having its own purpose.

a. Backdrop setting

Have you ever read a story, but found it difficult to figure out what time period in which the story was written or where it is? The story probably had a backdrop setting. The story is timeless and can happen at any point in history or anywhere. The focus is on the lesson or message being delivered. Many fairy tales and children’s stories have backdrop settings. “Winnie the Pooh” would be an example. Since the lessons that the characters learn is the point rather than the time period, it’s hard to tack a “past, present, or future” on the time aspect of the setting. It could also be any town or country, which means children anywhere can relate to it.

b. Integral setting

With an integral setting (integral means to be a part of or important to), the time and place are important to the story. For example, a story dealing with a historical setting will have a direct impact on the plot. A story that happens in the 1800s will not have technology, so the characters will have to write a letter, ride a horse or take a carriage to visit each other; they cannot travel long distances in one day as we do now with cars, buses, and planes. This will have a direct impact on the events of the story, especially if there is distance involved.

IV. The Importance of Setting

Setting gives context to the characters’ actions in a story line. It can also create the mood (how the reader or viewer feels). It’s easier to understand why the characters in the story are doing what they’re doing when we know where the they are. The time of day, time of year, and ages of the characters will also affect how they act and what they say.

All forms of literature will have some form of setting; even backdrop settings have an age range of the characters, which is part of time, and a location, either indoors or out, for example. Without a setting, readers and viewers cannot follow a story plot.

V. Examples of Setting in Literature

All good literature uses setting. No story can exist without an element of time or place. Here are some popular examples.

Elie Wiesel wrote “Night” in the 1950s, but his biography has been read by millions through the decades and is still a popular book in schools. It’s the true and tragic account of Wiesel’s Jewish family during the Holocaust of World War II.

AND THEN, one day all foreign Jews were expelled from Sighet. And Moishe the Beadle was a foreigner. Crammed into cattle cars by the Hungarian police, they cried silently. Standing on the station platform, we too were crying. The train disappeared over the horizon; all that was left was thick, dirty smoke. Behind me, someone said, sighing, ‘What do you expect? That’s w a r… (Wiesel 1958).

In this passage, we have the name of the town and a location within the town (place). We know that it’s a war (time). Since we know Wiesel survived World War II, we know it must be in the 1940s (time). The description of human beings “crammed into cattle cars” creates a mood of sympathy that such a place could be used for people.

This next example is from J. K. Rowling’s book “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” Rowling’s series of Harry Potter books are popular with young adults and have been made into films.

October arrived, spreading a damp chill over the grounds and into the castle. Madam Pomfrey, the nurse, was kept busy by a sudden spate of colds among the staff and students. Her Pepperup potion worked instantly, though it left the drinker smoking at the ears for several hours afterward. Ginny Weasley, who had been looking pale, was bullied into taking some by Percy. The steam pouring from under her vivid hair gave the impression that her whole head was on fire (Rowling 1999).

This excerpt sets a gloomy mood with its setting, particularly with the words “damp chill.” It’s October and the characters are students, so we assume young (time). They are in a school dormitory, which is a castle (place). Since the season is fall, we know that the students are getting sick because of the cold. The idea that they are using a “potion” hints that the time period is long ago in the past or some fantasy time period.

VI. Examples of Setting in Pop Culture

One area of pop culture that relies heavily on strong settings is the video game industry. The YouTube video below illustrates the importance of setting in games. As computer technology has improved over the years, video games have progressed from boring, simple games to intense and complex gaming experiences all due to the use of setting. Video games now have realistic backgrounds, whereas the first video games (as far back as the 1950s) had blank or static (unchanging) backgrounds. There are popular games designed in all time periods – past, present, and future – and in all areas of the world, including underwater and in outer space, as well as fantasy worlds.

A second example of setting within pop culture is Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. This is a novel that’s been made into a successful series. Setting is a large basis of the story. The video below shows intro to the series, which starts out with a map of the kingdom, an indication that setting will play an important part in the story.

To help readers understand the place of setting, Martin has a map in the front of the book so that they can see the location of plot events as the story unfolds. Viewers watching the series are able to see the settings change by following the scenes. Some settings are in castles, others in war camps. These different places of the setting will affect how the characters act. Characters in the castle are able to move about freely, may have servants doing things for them (or they are the servants doing for others), and can dress for comfort. However, the characters in the war camps have to move carefully, do things for themselves, and must dress for safety from instruments of war, such as swords. It’s clear that time and place move the plot along.

This video illustrates how both time and place of setting must be clear in understanding the story. The aliens try to find the setting in a story, but forgot one aspect.

VII. Related Terms

Environment.

Environment is the physical location. It includes conditions such as the geographical properties (water, sand, mountains, etc.), the cultural and social settings (school, place of worship, community, business, museum, theatre, etc.), and weather or climate (storm, rain, sunshine, desert, mountain range, plains, etc.). Most times, environment plays a large part in the setting of any story.

VIII. Conclusion

Setting is an important literary device that is often taken for granted or easily misunderstood. Creating clear depictions of time and place in a story creates mood and moves the story along. Without setting, the plot line would be confusing and boring. A key element of a strong setting is using descriptive details, pulling on the reader’s senses.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

Press ESC to close

Or check our popular categories....

The Complete Guide to Creative Writing: Master Storytelling, Craft Characters, and Unleash Your Creativity

Ever dreamed of crafting captivating narratives that transport readers to new worlds and stay with them long after the final page?

Do you yearn to breathe life into unforgettable characters and weave intricate plots that keep readers on the edge of their seats? If so, then unlock your inner storyteller with this comprehensive guide to mastering the art of creative writing!

Whether you’re a budding author seeking to lay the groundwork for your first novel or a seasoned writer looking to refine your craft, this guide equips you with the knowledge and tools you need to take your storytelling to the next level.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Engage in creative writing exercises to enhance imagination and writing skills
• Develop well-defined characters with authentic personas and meaningful relationships
• To bring the setting to life and set the mood, use specific descriptions and sensory details
• Craft compelling dialogue to reveal subtext, create tension, and develop memorable characters

Understanding the Basics of Creative Writing

To be a successful writer, you need to understand the basics of creative writing. You can improve your imagination and writing skills by doing creative writing exercises .

Try exercises like giving colors personalities or imagining superpowers to boost your creativity .

To improve your writing, focus on using metaphors and literary devices to make it better.

Finding inspiration in everyday life is also crucial for creative writing. To be more creative, you can ask questions and analyze writing . You can also use personal journals to connect with your emotions and experiences .

When you write about things you love, like food or travel, it adds passion and authenticity to your work.

Reading like a writer is important for creative writing. It helps you learn different writing styles, vocabulary, and storytelling.

Elements of Creative Writing

Explore the vibrant characters that bring your creative writing to life. In any story, characters are important. It’s essential to develop them in a captivating way for readers.

Creative writing prompts can help you create characters with interesting traits and quirks.

You can test your characters and their growth by creating various storylines.

Using symbolism in stories adds depth and meaning, helping readers comprehend the work.

Use methods to describe settings and characters in a way that makes them come alive. This will immerse readers in your world.

Research is important in creative writing . It makes your story authentic and credible.

When you include these elements, your writing will be memorable and stand out to readers.

The Art of Character Development

Bring your creations to life with skillful character development. Exploring your characters intricately leads to captivating narratives for your readers.

Here are some key elements to consider when developing your characters:

• Character motivations : Understanding what drives your characters will help you create authentic and relatable personas. Explore their desires, fears, and goals to add depth to their actions and decisions.
• Character arcs : Crafting a well-defined character arc allows your characters to grow and change throughout the story. Consider their starting point, the challenges they face, and how they evolve as a result.
• Character relationships : The dynamics between characters can add richness to your storytelling. Develop meaningful connections, whether they be friendships, rivalries, or romances, that contribute to the overall narrative.
• Character flaws : Imperfections make characters more realistic and relatable. Give your characters flaws that they must grapple with, allowing for personal growth and conflict within the story.
• Character descriptions : Paint a vivid picture of your characters through detailed descriptions. From physical appearances to unique personality traits, these details help readers visualize and connect with your characters.

The Importance of Setting in Creative Writing

Setting is more than just a backdrop; it can be a character in itself. Through thoughtful setting selection and description, you can set the desired tone and atmosphere for your story, be it a murder mystery or tranquility.

The setting enhances your writing’s mood. Whether it’s a dark and foreboding forest or a bright and bustling city, the ambiance of the setting can evoke specific emotions in your readers.

The setting defines both time and place in your story. Specific details like architecture and clothing styles transport readers to different eras and locations.

Techniques for describing the setting include using sensory details, such as sights, sounds, and smells, to paint a vivid picture in your readers’ minds. Using figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, can help create a stronger and more evocative image of the setting.

Crafting Compelling Dialogue

You can create compelling dialogue by using a personal pronoun and a coordinating conjunction. Develop authentic characters by giving each one a unique voice and speech pattern. This will establish their personality and make their dialogue more natural.

Craft compelling conflict by using dialogue to reveal subtext and create tension between characters. Show what’s left unsaid, and build scenes that leave the reader wanting resolution.

Use dialogue to establish unique voices and reflect each character’s personality. This will make them more memorable and relatable.

Remember that dialogue should always move the story forward , reveal character information, and help the reader understand the relationships between characters.

The Role of Conflict in Storytelling

The conflict plays a crucial role in storytelling, shaping the narrative and creating tension for the reader.

There are various types of conflicts in storytelling, such as internal conflicts within a character or external conflicts between characters or with their surroundings.

These conflicts are essential because they contribute to the character’s development by challenging their beliefs, values, and motivations.

Conflict also drives the plot in storytelling, as it presents obstacles and challenges that the characters must overcome.

Resolving conflicts in creative writing is important because it allows for character growth and resolution of the story’s central conflict.

To create realistic conflicts, writers must consider the characters’ goals, desires, and fears, ensuring that the conflicts are relatable and believable.

Mastering Show, Don’t Tell

To master creative writing, grasp and apply the ‘show, don’t tell’ rule . By utilizing effective storytelling techniques , you can engage the reader and create immersive experiences that enhance narrative depth.

Showing instead of telling allows you to develop nuanced characters, giving them life and depth through their actions and dialogue. It paints a vivid picture, immersing readers in the story alongside the characters.

By using sensory details and descriptive language, you can transport the reader into the world you’ve created, making the story come alive in their minds.

Creative Writing Styles Examples

Crafting compelling characters and employing various literary devices are crucial components of creative writing styles and techniques.

To enhance your creative writing skills, there are several methods you can explore:

• Descriptive Writing: This style focuses on vividly describing people, places, or things, allowing the reader to visualize the scene without effort.
• Narrative Writing: In this style, writers tell a story, usually in a chronological order, creating engaging plots and characters.
• Poetry: A creative style that uses rhythm, rhyme, and metaphor to convey emotions, ideas, or stories in a condensed and artistic form.
• Expository Writing: This style aims to inform and explain, often found in essays, articles, and non-fiction books, presenting facts and information clearly.
• Dialogue Writing: Writers use this style to bring conversations to life, capturing the voices and interactions of characters in a story.

Writing exercises enhance storytelling skills. Experiment with different techniques, such as stream of consciousness or nonlinear narratives, to add freshness and creativity to your writing.

Understanding story structures , such as the hero’s journey or the three-act structure, can provide a framework for your story and keep readers engaged. Exploring character archetypes can help you create well-rounded and relatable characters.

Lastly, incorporating symbolism in storytelling can add depth and layers of meaning to your work. These techniques elevate your writing and captivate readers.

The Process of Plot Development

Developing a solid plot for your story requires careful planning and a clear understanding of the narrative structure. To truly captivate your audience, consider the following:

• Developing Conflict : Introduce opposing forces or goals that create tension and drive the story forward. Explore internal conflicts within your characters, adding depth to their journey.
• Creating Suspense : Strategically reveal information to keep the reader guessing and engaged. Utilize cliffhangers and foreshadowing to maintain a sense of anticipation.
• Plot Twists : Surprise your readers with unexpected turns that challenge their assumptions. Ensure that plot twists are believable and enhance the overall story.
• Character Arcs : Develop multidimensional characters who undergo personal growth and transformation. Show how their experiences and actions shape their journey throughout the plot.

Techniques for Creating Suspense and Tension

Foreshadowing and cliffhangers create suspense, keeping readers engaged and on edge.

One technique for building anticipation is creating conflict within your story. Introduce opposing goals or conflicting characters that will keep the protagonist’s desires from being easily achieved.

Another technique is manipulating pacing. Alternate between fast-paced and slower-paced chapters to keep the tension mounting.

Craft immersive experiences for your readers by engaging all their senses and creating a vivid world they can get lost in.

Use language strategically to convey the desired tone and atmosphere. Choose words that evoke emotion and heighten tension in your writing.

The Power of Perspective in Creative Writing

When writing creatively, you can explore the power of perspective by viewing the world through multiple lenses and weaving together different narratives.

• Narrative perspective: The way a story is told can greatly impact the reader’s experience. By experimenting with different narrative perspectives, such as first-person, second-person, and third-person, you can shape the reader’s perception of the events and characters in your story.
• Shifting viewpoints: Switching between different characters’ perspectives allows you to delve into their unique thoughts, emotions, and motivations. This adds depth to your story and helps the reader develop a more comprehensive understanding of the narrative.
• Character perception: Each character in your story will have their own perception of the world around them. Exploring how different characters interpret events and interact with each other can create rich and dynamic relationships within your story.
• Emotional interpretation: Perspective plays a crucial role in how emotions are conveyed in your writing. By adopting different viewpoints, you can explore how emotions are experienced and expressed by different characters, adding complexity and authenticity to your story.
• Reader engagement: The power of perspective lies in its ability to engage and captivate readers. By offering diverse viewpoints and allowing readers to see the world through different eyes, you can create a more immersive and thought-provoking reading experience.

Exploring Different Genres in Creative Writing

How can you effectively explore different genres in your creative writing? To expand your repertoire, consider delving into genre exploration. For instance, historical fiction allows you to transport readers to different time periods, bringing history to life through compelling characters and narratives.

Engaging in writing exercises like flash fiction can help you develop concise storytelling skills while experimenting with different themes and genres. Using creative writing prompts, such as fantasy worldbuilding, can spark your imagination and enable you to construct intricate and immersive fictional worlds.

If you’re interested in exploring the depths of the human psyche, try your hand at character analysis in a psychological thriller.

Don’t shy away from craft techniques like experimental poetry, where you can push the boundaries of language and form to create unique and thought-provoking pieces.

Utilizing Imagery and Symbolism

Immerse readers in powerful imagery to enhance the symbolism in your writing. Use descriptive language for an immersive experience.

Experiment with symbolism analysis by incorporating symbolic elements that represent deeper meanings or themes in your writing. Engage in creative writing exercises that challenge you to incorporate symbolism and imagery in unique and thought-provoking ways.

Expand your repertoire of literary tools by using metaphorical expressions that add layers of meaning to your writing.

Remember to write with sensory details, appealing to your readers’ senses and making your writing come alive in their minds.

Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block

When you find yourself stuck, creative prompts can serve as a catalyst to generate ideas and inspiration.

Overcoming perfectionism is crucial; allow yourself to write freely and without judgment.

Sometimes, changing environments can provide a fresh perspective and stimulate your creativity.

Incorporating mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, can help you relax and focus your mind.

Seeking feedback and collaboration can also be beneficial; join writing groups or share your work with trusted individuals for constructive criticism and support.

Revision Editing and Proofreading Techniques for Creative Writing

To improve your creative writing, start by revising, editing, and proofreading your work using various techniques. Here are some revision and editing strategies to enhance your writing:

• Experiment with different revision techniques to refine your work and make it stronger.
• Try reading your work aloud to identify any awkward phrasing or errors.
• Use the ‘cut and paste’ method to rearrange scenes or paragraphs for better flow.
• Take a break from your manuscript and come back to it with fresh eyes.
• Seek collaborative feedback to gain different perspectives and improve your writing.
• Join writing groups or workshops to receive constructive criticism and suggestions.
• Work with skilled editors or writing coaches who can provide valuable insights.
• Value the importance of collaboration in refining and perfecting your work.
• Develop a distinctive voice to captivate readers and create a memorable reading experience.
• Ensure your characters’ voices reflect their background, beliefs, and values.
• Pay attention to word choice and language to create a unique and engaging voice.
• Aim for an emotional and storytelling drive in your writing.

The Role of Feedback in Creative Writing

Feedback techniques play a crucial role in honing your writing abilities. When giving constructive criticism, focus on providing specific, actionable suggestions aligned with the writer’s goals.

It does not tell the recipient ‘you are bad’ or ‘I am better’. Rather, it is driven by an ethos of ‘let’s make this stronger, together’. https://www.nownovel.com/blog/constructive-writing-feedback/

Start with positive elements before addressing areas that need improvement.

By incorporating the peer review process, you can receive valuable insights from fellow writers. Receiving feedback gracefully is essential.

Assess the tone of the feedback, ignore mean-spirited comments, and detach yourself from the feedback by pretending it’s for another author. Look for supporting statements and examples that can help you grow as a writer.

Clearly state the type of feedback you’re seeking upfront and disregard feedback that doesn’t align with your specific needs.

Incorporating feedback effectively is the key to enhancing your creative writing skills.

Understanding the Publishing Process

Understanding the publishing process is vital. Here are key points to consider:

• The publishing industry in the digital age : The rise of digital platforms has changed the way books are published and consumed. E-books and self-publishing have gained popularity, offering authors more control over their work. Traditional publishing still has its advantages, such as wider distribution and professional editing.
• The role of literary agents in the publishing process : Literary agents act as intermediaries between authors and publishers, helping authors find the right publishing opportunities. They negotiate contracts, provide editorial guidance, and help build the author’s career.
• Challenges faced by first-time authors in getting published : Competition is fierce, and publishers receive countless submissions. Building a strong author platform and networking can increase chances of getting noticed. Rejection is common, but persistence is key.
• The future of book publishing in a changing market : Technology will continue to shape the industry, with the rise of audiobooks and immersive reading experiences. Self-publishing will continue to grow, giving authors more opportunities to get their work out there. Adapting to changing reader preferences and embracing new technologies will be crucial for success.

The Impact of Digital Media on Creative Writing

While digital media has transformed the landscape of creative writing, it has also presented new opportunities and challenges for writers like you.

One major impact is the emergence of online communities, where writers can connect, share ideas, and receive feedback on their work. These communities provide a supportive environment for writers to grow and improve their craft.

Interactive storytelling has become more prevalent , allowing readers to actively engage with the narrative and shape the outcome. Digital storytelling platforms have also revolutionized the way stories are told, with multimedia elements enhancing the reader’s experience.

Writing in the digital age has opened up online publishing opportunities, giving writers the chance to reach a global audience and showcase their work in new and exciting ways.

Exploring Careers in Creative Writing

If you’re passionate about creative writing, there are various career paths you can explore. Here are some options to consider:

• Fiction Writer : Understanding the basics of storytelling, character development, and the importance of setting. Crafting compelling dialogue and narrative arcs to engage readers.
• Screenwriter : Learning the art of visual storytelling and scriptwriting. Developing strong characters and creating captivating dialogue for film or television.
• Playwright : Mastering the techniques of dramatic writing and stagecraft. Creating dialogue that brings characters to life on the stage.

Exploring these careers in creative writing will allow you to express your creativity, engage with audiences, and bring your stories to life in various mediums.

Books for Improving Your Creative Writing Skills

Check out these recommended books that cover a wide range of topics to help you become a better writer.

Whether you want to understand character development, craft compelling dialogue, explore different genres, overcome writer’s block, or learn effective revision techniques, these books have got you covered.

These books offer valuable insights, practical tips, and techniques to help you improve your creative writing skills. So, whether you’re struggling with character development, dialogue, finding your writing style, or just need some inspiration, pick up one of these books and take your writing to the next level. Don’t let writer’s block hold you back—unlock your creativity and unleash your potential with these essential resources.

Further reading

Once you have finished reading the recommended books, you can delve deeper into the world of creative writing with these additional resources.

Here are some further resources to help you enhance your writing skills:

• Online writing communities : Joining online writing communities can provide you with valuable feedback, support, and inspiration from fellow writers.
• Creative writing workshops : Participating in creative writing workshops can help you refine your craft, learn new techniques, and receive expert guidance.
• Writing prompts : Utilize writing prompts to spark your creativity and challenge yourself to write in different styles and genres.

These resources won’t only expand your knowledge of creative writing but also provide you with opportunities to connect with other writers and gain valuable insights from experienced professionals.

Keep exploring and honing your skills to become the best writer you can be.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i find inspiration for my creative writing.

Try unconventional sources like nature or everyday objects. Use visual prompts to spark your imagination. Draw inspiration from your travel experiences, music, and childhood memories.

What Are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid in Creative Writing?

When writing creatively, be mindful of common misconceptions, such as overusing cliches. Don’t neglect character development, maintain consistent pacing, and execute dialogue effectively. Avoid these mistakes to enhance your creative writing skills.

How Do I Develop a Unique Writing Style?

To develop a unique writing style, experiment with structure, explore different genres, embrace personal experiences, incorporate vivid imagery, and balance dialogue and narrative. These techniques will help you to stand out and create a distinct voice in your writing.

What Are Some Effective Strategies for Self-Editing and Revising My Work?

To effectively self-edit and revise your work , use proofreading techniques, seek peer feedback, utilize grammar checkers, follow an editing checklist, and employ revision strategies. These methods will help refine and improve your writing.

Categorized in:

Share Article:

Eduardo Carvalho

Eduardo has been teaching creative writing since 2020 at a Brazilian publishing house and created the Driven Writer website to help more people with writing tips. He has written the novel Over the river with a releasing date somewhere in 2024.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Related articles, 5 tips for crafting sensory imagery in creative writing, other stories, 8 creative writing exercises to conquer writer’s block and write captivating stories, how to polish your prose.

Definition of Setting

Setting is a literary device that allows the writer of a narrative to establish the time, location, and environment in which it takes place. This is an important element in a story , as the setting indicates to the reader when and where the action takes place. As a result, the setting of a narrative or story helps the reader picture clear and relevant details. In addition, setting enhances the development of a story’s plot and characters by providing a distinct background.

In literature, setting can be specific or general in terms of geographical location and historical time period. A specific, or integral, setting refers to an exact location and time period established by the writer. This information can be directly imparted to the reader or implied in the narrative. A backdrop setting is more general, vague, or nondescript, which makes the story more universal for readers. The setting of a literary work may also be a fictional location or world, a future time and place, or it may be unknown.

For example, the fairy tale “Cinderella” traditionally features a backdrop setting, such as long ago in a faraway kingdom. However, a modern interpretation of “Cinderella” might feature an integral setting such as New York City to enhance aspects of the story’s plot, characters, and theme .

Examples of the Importance of Setting as a Literary Device

Setting is an important literary device, as its purpose is to create a “world” in which a story takes place. Setting can also influence the plot of a story and the actions of the characters. Here are some examples of the importance of setting as a literary device:

• helps establish the mood and/or tone of a story
• provides context for other story elements such as plot, characters, and theme
• reinforces the narrative by providing structure and function in the story
• enhances individual scenes within a story’s plot

Occasionally, the “presence” of a story’s setting, in terms of a time period, geographic location, or environment, can feel to the reader like an additional character . This can make for clever use of this literary device in portraying a particular time and/or place with a personality all on its own in a story.

Common Examples of Cities Frequently Used as Setting

Certain cities are frequently used as settings in literary works. By setting a narrative or story in a well-known city, the writer can be relatively certain that the reader will have a general sense and understanding of the locale, including geographical characteristics, landmarks, culture, etc. This can alleviate some burdens for the writer in terms of description and allow for the focus to remain on the story’s plot and characters.

Here are some common examples of cities that are frequently used as settings in literature:

• New York City
• Los Angeles
• New Orleans

Common Examples of Historical Time Periods Frequently Used as Setting

Certain historical time periods are frequently used as settings in literary works as well. By setting a narrative or story in a well-known era, the writer can also be relatively certain that the reader will have a general sense and understanding of the history, events, historical figures, etc. This can additionally alleviate some burdens for the writer in terms of description and allow for the focus to remain on the story’s plot and characters.

Here are some common examples of historical time periods (not in chronological order) that are frequently used as settings in literature:

• Ancient Greece
• Industrial Revolution
• Middle Ages
• Renaissance
• Age of Exploration
• Classical Era
• Turn of the century
• Roaring ’20s
• World War I
• Westward Expansion
• World War II
• Victorian Age
• Contemporary

Common Examples of Environments Frequently Used as Setting

Certain types of environments are frequently used as settings in literary works in addition to specific geographical locations. By setting a narrative or story in a well-known environment, the writer can be relatively certain that the reader will have a general sense and understanding of that environment’s characteristics, such as terrain, climate, culture, etc. This can alleviate some burdens for the writer as well in terms of description and allow for the focus to remain on the story’s plot and characters.

Here are some common examples of environments that are frequently used as settings in literature:

• outer space
• rural/farmland
• countryside
• Southern plantation
• ship at sea

How to Understand and Describe Setting in Writing

The idea of understanding the setting depends on the storyline, characters, and events. These three are important elements that define a setting. It is because every setting has some specific qualities where certain people live and interact. Also, setting impacts them and their actions which define their lives. Some other less significant elements of setting are landscape, type of land, climate, weather, social conventions, and cultural surroundings. When writers and readers understand all these elements, it becomes easy for them to write about setting and describe it in words.

Backdrop and Integral Setting

Although the backdrop and integral setting sound the same, they are different. An integral setting is a specific place associated with some specific characters, having a specific role to play in the events of the story, a backdrop setting is general. It is could be any town given in a story without any specific quality and feature. An integral setting has all the necessary elements that define a setting, a backdrop setting has only common elements given through generic names.

Five Elements of Setting or Aspects of Setting

A setting within a piece of literature must have five elements or aspects. Although there are several other aspects that are necessary, the following five are fundamental elements of a setting. The first one is locale which means the country or the region. The second is the time which also includes the timing which means day, night , or month of the year. The third is climate, the fourth is geographical features and the fifth is population, society, and culture.

Fictional and Non-Fictional Settings

A fictional setting is a type of setting that exists only in imagination and there is no connection of this setting with reality. The non-fictional setting is a type of setting that exists in reality. For example, Eldorado does not exist nor do some cities mentioned in various novels. However, Paris and London do exist and they are real cities mentioned in several novels and short stories as the settings of the storylines. This difference, however, evaporates when some real place is mentioned in connection with fictional characters.

Setting and Exposition

As the term shows, exposition means detailed descriptions of the characters, settings, and the storyline in the beginning of the novels or short stories, setting is part of the exposition. The exposition just explains settings, giving its details. It also shows how events are going to unfold. However, the setting only shows characters having certain relationships with the land, geographical location, social fabric, and flora and fauna.

Difference between Temporal and Spatial Setting

Spatial refers to space that means the place, its geography, its location, its social fabric, its flora, and fauna, etc. Temporal, on the other hand, refers to a time that means the specific time of the year or the month, or the day when the event in question takes place. Whereas spatial setting shows the location and the place, the temporal setting shows when the events have taken place in that specific place. Both settings are used interactively and in conjunction with each other. No one can be used interchangeably or exclusively.

Examples of Setting in Literature

In literature, setting provides the reader an image and idea of time and place that frames the action of a story and can reveal aspects of its characters. By using the setting as a literary device, the writer can help the reader visualize the action of the work, which adds credibility and authenticity to the story. In addition, a setting can create and sustain the illusion of imaginary places and worlds in fiction as well as time periods in the future or prehistoric past. Without an indication of the setting, a story would lack significant context for the reader, potentially reducing their enjoyment and/or understanding of the work.

Here are some examples of setting in well-known works of literature:

Example 1:  Harrison Bergeron  by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

THE YEAR WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They weren’t only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General.

In Vonnegut’s short story , the narrator reveals the setting at the outset. This establishes a significant amount of information for the reader before the action of the story even begins. The narrator stipulates the year, which indicates to the reader that the time period of the story is in the future but not terribly distant. In addition, the story is clearly set in the United States as indicated by the mention of the constitutional amendments.

As well as directly establishing the time and location of the story, Vonnegut also utilizes setting as a literary device to impart to the reader a sense of the story’s environment. In this case, there is a strong refrain of mandated equality in terms of the physical and intellectual characteristics of this future population that is further enforced by a national agency. As a result, the reader is able to instantly picture the background in which the events of the story and the movement of the characters will take place.

Example 2:  As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

That’s the one trouble with this country: everything, weather, all, hangs on too long. Like our rivers, our land: opaque, slow, violent; shaping and creating the life of man in its implacable and brooding image.

Faulkner created his own fictional county in Mississippi, Yoknapatawpha County, in which to set nearly all of his novels and numerous short stories. Yoknapatawpha was inspired by and based on Lafayette County in Oxford, Mississippi, with which Faulkner was familiar. Faulkner himself considered Yoknapatawpha County as apocryphal in the sense that many of his readers believe it to be a real place. In fact, his novel   Absalom, Absalom! includes a map of the fictional country that was drawn by Faulkner.

By creating this realistic yet fictional Mississippi county, Faulkner was able to incorporate several aspects of this setting across many of his works. In this passage from his novel As I Lay Dying , for example, the atmosphere of Yoknapatawpha is as much a presence as the characters, and Faulkner underscores the reciprocal influence and shaping of the novel’s setting and characters. In addition, by using Yoknapatawpha to set so many of his literary works, Faulkner’s readers find familiarity with and understanding of the physical location and environment in which the narrative takes place. This allows readers to focus on the action and characters of the story.

Example 3:  The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

And now there came both mist and snow , And it grew wondrous cold: And ice, mast-high, came floating by, As green as emerald. And through the drifts the snowy clifts Did send a dismal sheen: Nor shapes of men nor beasts we ken— The ice was all between. The ice was here, the ice was there, The ice was all around: It cracked and growled, and roared and howled, Like noises in a swound!

In Coleridge’s poem , he juxtaposes two very different and distinct settings. At the outset of the poem, the setting is a wedding in which the guests are joyful, merrily dancing, eating, and drinking. This celebratory environment is in stark contrast to the setting of the mariner’s story within the poem, which he relays to a wedding guest outside the venue.

This passage of the poem indicates the setting of the Mariner’s tale, as the boat travels to the icy Antarctic. The oppressive presence and noise of the ice create a barren environment that is cold to the existence of living things. This emphasis on the environmental setting in Coleridge’s poem not only draws the reader away from the warmth and life-affirming nature of the wedding, but it also reflects for the reader the danger and isolation faced by sailors at sea. In fact, the reader becomes part of the setting described by the mariner just as the wedding guest becomes part of the mariner’s story through the poet’s description of the setting and events. This allows for a stronger connection between the poem and the reader.

Synonyms of Setting

The distant synonyms for setting are as follows: position, situation, background, backdrop, milieu, environs, habitat, place, location, spot, locale, context, frame, area, neighborhood, locus, district, and region.

Related posts:

• Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
• Once More unto the Breach
• Hamlet Act-I, Scene-I Study Guide

Post navigation

Top 200 Setting Ideas for a Story, from Expert Writers

Last Updated on October 20, 2023 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next story idea, look no further! This article has 500 setting ideas to help get your creative juices flowing. Expert writers have contributed their favorite settings , so you’re sure to find something that sparks your imagination. With this wealth of ideas at your fingertips, you can write a truly unique story or write a paper online with someone’s help. Short story ideas don’t get much better than this.

List of the Top 200 Setting Ideas for Writing a Story

• A dark forest full of traps and magical creatures
• The seafloor
• A derelict space station floating in orbit around a distant planet
• An abandoned amusement park at night
• The surface of an unknown planet, far away from Earth
• The center of a massive mountain range where nobody has ever ventured
• A massive library full of real, physical books that no one has ever read before
• The very tip-top floor of a massive skyscraper
• An isolated prison in the middle of an endless desert
• The house is at the end of a long, winding road leading to nowhere else but more road with no landmarks or distinguishing characteristics
• A small farmhouse on a large plot of farmland, surrounded by woods and swamps on all sides
• An abandoned warehouse filled with secret passageways that are impossible to find without help from someone who knows them by heart
• The surface of Mars during sunrise over Olympus Mons Crater
• On an elevated platform at the center of a small island
• The very, very bottom floor of a massive skyscraper that has been abandoned since construction was completed
• An underground cave system where one can go for days without seeing sunlight or another living being
• A space shuttle orbiting around Jupiter
• In the belly of a massive whale as it swims through dark, frigid waters filled with horrific monsters and other life forms from Earth’s deepest nightmares.
• On the surface of Venus during sunrise over Sif Mons Crater
• In a massive library filled to the brim with books so old, they crumble to dust when touched by human hands, at least if their age is not protected by magic or advanced technology beyond what humanity understands today
• A massive tree with a labyrinth of interconnected rooms and underground tunnels deep within its roots, filled with strange creatures like nothing ever seen on Earth before
• The center of the sun
• In the mouth of a massive dragon as it flies through the sky
• On an abandoned oil platform in the middle of an ocean where strange sea creatures lurk and unknowable horrors hide just out of sight under dark, stormy waters
• Beneath the surface of Europa during sunrise over Valhalla Crater
• A massive cave system that has been occupied by orcs for centuries upon centuries
• An endless desert where sandstorms strike without warning and can carry entire structures away if they aren’t built properly to withstand the elements
• A small, floating island somewhere in the Indian Ocean that is only accessible every seven years when the tides pull it closer to other islands and civilizations ashore
• In a tent at a massive music festival miles away from civilization
• Underground while being chased by trolls with weapons forged from precious metals and stones no human has ever seen before
• On a far-off planet orbiting a distant star where friendly inhabitants will welcome you with open arms, but be careful about what you accept or take from them–the planetary economy might not be able to handle Earth’s money supply
• Inside Amazon forest
• In a small town in the center of a large valley surrounded by dense forests and thick swamps
• In a dark alley in New York City at night, desperately trying to find your way home from work before something bad happens
• A small town that has been cut off from civilization for centuries upon centuries, isolated from humanity behind seemingly impenetrable walls built to keep out dangerous monsters that lurk outside the village’s limits
• A small shuttlecraft piloted by an AI on its way to explore Pluto and beyond
• In a massive city made of towers stacking high into the sky, each one attached to another by bridges and elevators that stretch from floor to floor
• A single room in an apartment complex near a major city where strange noises and smells come from beneath the floorboards late at night
• The depths of an ancient jungle filled with giant trees and nocturnal predators whose roars echo through the forest like nothing ever heard before on Earth
• Atop a large mountain looking down upon a vast desert filled with sand dunes as far as the eye can see
• On an abandoned oil platform in the middle of an ocean where strange sea creatures lurk, and unknowable horrors hide just out of sight under dark, stormy waters
• Across the surface of Europa during sunrise over Valhalla Crater
• Outdoor Skating Rink
• Seaside Towns
• Parisian Cafe
• Middle Eastern Bazaar
• Rain Forest
• Hollywood Theatre
• Moto X Track
• Train Station
• Castle Dungeon
• Greek Island Resort
• Alaskan Wilderness
• Redwood Forest
• Subway Station
• Ocean Liner
• Space Shuttle LaunchPad
• English Countryside Manor House
• Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Theatre
• Disneyland Park
• Sports Stadiums and Arenas
• Military Bases and
• Palace and Gardens of Versailles
• Hanging Gardens of Babylon
• Central Park in New York City
• Amusement Parks
• Water Parks and Theme Piers
• Stadiums and Arenas (Indoor)
• Museum of Natural History (NYC)
• Casinos & Gentlemen’s Clubs
• Lighthouses
• The White House (Washington, DC)
• Fruit and Vegetable Market in South Central LA
• Airports and Airlines
• Ships Before They Sink
• Space Satellite Control Center (Houston)
• High-Rise Buildings (NYC, Chicago, etc.)
• The Planet Mars
• Mountain Ranges on Earth
• Urban Streets of Any Large City
• Rural Towns in Any Region of the World
• Movie Premiere Venues, Awards Shows & Conventions
• Night Clubs & Bars (NYC)
• The Great Wall of China (Northern China)
• Russian State Duma Building (Moscow)
• Cliffs of Moher (Ireland)
• Rio de Janeiro City Streets During Carnival
• Harbor Alley in Hong Kong at Night
• Abandoned Amusement Parks (Asbury Park, New Jersey)
• The North Pole and the Arctic Ocean
• Concert Halls & Opera Houses
• Any Major Sports Stadium or Arena
• Movie Theatres
• Public Parks
• Downtown Zoos & Aquariums
• Gas Stations & Convenience Stores
• Clothing Racks in High-End Department Stores
• Shopping Malls
• Museums, Art Galleries, Libraries & Historical Sites
• War Memorials and Monuments
• Historic Homes and Buildings
• Restaurants with Diners Outside
• Boardwalks with Shops and Stands
• Famous Hotel Pools & Resorts
• The Great Pyramids of Giza (Northern Egypt)
• Miles of Seawall in Galveston, Texas
• Inside a Presidential Limousine Riding Through Town
• Carnival Cruise Ships
• A futuristic manufacturing facility
• A world filled with genetically modified creatures
• An old-west town that has been magically restored to its 19th century glory days (and beyond!)
• A lighthouse on an isolated island
• A rickety old wooden bridge collapsed into the raging river below it
• An industrial complex filled with glowing debris and strange machinery
• A castle in the middle of a deep, dark forest
• A boarding school built on an alien planet
• The edge of space broken by an enormous asteroid field and marked with craters and jagged ridges where stars have fallen to Earth (and beyond!)
• A tropical archipelago filled with exotic wildlife that is home to dangerous sea life
• A quiet coastal town full of quaint little houses sitting at the bottom end of a steep cliffside overlooking calm, glassy waters
• An untamed wilderness filled with wild creatures and beasts of many kinds
• A world where the sun is just a bright point in the sky, but there are entire civilizations out there that have completely abandoned their star for another one entirely. There’s no way to travel between them without making a trip through an inter-dimensional rift or wormhole
• A futuristic mega-city at night, full of glowing billboards advertising products that no one will ever buy (and there’s a great deal more to discover!)
• A forgotten temple complex nestled in the foothills of a dormant volcano
• An isolated corner of the cosmos, lit only by distant stars and several smaller moons
• A frozen wasteland
• The Oval Office of the White House
• Slum Areas in Any Major City Around the World
• Abandon Prison Camps from WWI and WWII
• In a cave deep beneath a mountain on another world
• Entirely Inside a Computer Program
• The deck of a pirate ship sailing the open seas
• A tropical island forgotten by time
• A train caught in an avalanche
• Inside the body of a giant monster rampaging through the countryside, looking for something to eat
• A city made entirely out of ice and snow.
• An empty school after everyone has gone home for the day
• A derelict luxury liner adrift in space (with a secret inside!)
• Inside an Imaginarium (or similar fantasy machine)
• Construction Sites
• Any city street, alleyway, or back-alley
• A cruise ship adrift at sea
• An aircraft carrier or battleship sitting in the middle of an abandoned port
• An ancient temple deep within a jungle
• The inside of a spaceship or space station has crash-landed on an alien world (and beyond!)
• A barren desert with nothing more than dead land for as far as the eye can see
• Any massive stadium or sports arena that has been abandoned by its owners
• A crowded subway train at rush hour
• The inside of a refrigerator, freezer, walk-in cooler, meat locker, etc.
• A wealthy man’s lavish estate sitting alone on top of a hill overlooking the city below it
• The peak of an active volcano
• Ancient Underground Cities
• On the set of a cheesy old science fiction movie from the 1960s
• A lush jungle of tall, sprawling trees that are completely covered in thick vines and tangled undergrowth
• A strange world where everything looks wrong (that’s how it always starts!)
• A post-apocalyptic wasteland populated by desperate survivors scavenging for resources to survive another day. There are still pockets of civilization here and there, but they have fallen into chaos as the population has dwindled due to starvation or plague. The landscape is littered with debris from the former days, while the skies are a burning orange and red. The air is thick with ash and dust, making breathing difficult at best.
• A mysterious technological planet filled with massive construction projects that seem to have no purpose whatsoever
• An alien world full of colorful plants/animals (and other creatures) that somehow still manages to be boring as hell. There aren’t many places for settlers to set up shop, so it’s mostly just a large.
• A beautiful world filled to the brim with dragons and other amazing creatures, but also completely devoid of life.
• A peaceful world with lush fields, rolling hills, and deep forests where life is bright and cheery. The sky is always clear blue; there are no storms or hurricanes to be found.
• Mount Rushmore
• The inside of a giant glass dome where the air is breathable, no one can see in or out. The inhabitants are completely cut off from the outside world (except radio communications)
• A once proud civilization was reduced to ruins by an unknown enemy.
• The cold vacuum of space, where nothing lives or grows
• A quiet little town that has been completely abandoned for reasons still being investigated. It’s everyone for themselves out here in the wasteland, and sometimes people just get sick of living life on their own
• The inside of a massive haunted house or castle
• The inside of a giant amusement park filled with all sorts of rides and attractions. Unfortunately, the park has been deserted for decades, so anything that can move is inoperable. The vast majority of people who went missing over the years were just sucked into this place when they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
• A peaceful village in the mountains where everything is quiet and calm. It’s all fun and games until someone shows up with a gun, demanding whatever valuables you might be hiding away. Once they get what they want, you’re either forced into servitude or simply executed on the spot (depending on how nice their boss happens to be feeling at the time)
• The inside of a department store during the busiest shopping day of the year
• A dark and dangerous world where mutants, robots, cyborgs, zombies, and other vile creatures are constantly trying to kill each other.
• Inside the great pyramid of Giza
• A massive cruise ship that has been stranded at sea
• A futuristic manufacturing facility with
• A city of the undead
• A post-apocalyptic wasteland
• A futuristic sports arena inside a mountain range
• A great white wasteland covered entirely in snow and ice. The temperature is far too cold for any sort of human settlement.
• A crowded coffee shop
• An abandoned mansion
• A field in springtime
• An erupting volcano
• The cockpit of an airplane during takeoff or landing in rough weather (I like this one. I’d go for the cockpit of a passenger airliner.)
• A library at night
• The first row at a rock concert
• Mount Everest
• Underwater (Like “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”)
• On top of a skyscraper during a thunderstorm at night (Like that part in Spiderman 3 where Spidey’s fighting the Lizard and what’s-his-name.)
• On the ring road around Paris at rush hour (I’ve never been to France, but it sure sounds like hell in this instance.)

The Importance of Setting in Creative Writing

The setting is the blueprint from which your story is built. Knowing how to use it effectively can turn a good story into a great one and a mediocre story into a complete failure.

The advantages of a good setting are many:

1) It creates a sense of comfort in the reader who reads your short story.

2) It can increase suspense when used properly.

3) It adds depth and realism to the story, making it easier for readers to escape their daily lives and immerse themselves in your work.

4) If you do it right, it can give your story an amazing and lasting sense of wonder and nostalgia.

5) The story setting becomes a character in and of itself, with its motives and goals that may or may not align with those of the main characters (or even change as the story goes on).

6) It helps to make your writing more vivid and concise.

7) It becomes a tool you can utilize to provide foreshadowing and build tension.

8) It helps determine plot direction, character motivation, pacing, etc.

9) It becomes one of the first things your readers will notice about your work, so it must be done right from the beginning.

The setting is the foundation upon which your story is built. Do it wrong, and your efforts will come crumbling down around you, but get it right, and you’ll have a masterpiece on your hands.

Thanks for reading my blog, and Happy Writing ! What’s your favorite kind of setting? Mine is anything post-apocalyptic, as long as there are mutants and zombies. 🙂

Most Read Articles in 2023:

Hi, I am a doctor by profession, but I love writing and publishing ebooks. I have self-published 3 ebooks which have sold over 100,000 copies. I am featured in Healthline, Entrepreneur, and in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology blog.

Whether you’re a busy professional or an aspiring author with a day job, there’s no time like now to start publishing your ebook! If you are new to this world or if you are seeking help because your book isn’t selling as well as it should be – don’t worry! You can find here resources, tips, and tricks on what works best and what doesn’t work at all.

In this blog, I will help you to pick up the right tools and resources to make your ebook a best seller.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Tips on Great Writing: Setting the Scene

Enrique Díaz/7cero/Getty Images

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

The setting is the place and time in which the action of a narrative takes place. It's also called the scene or creating a sense of place. In a work of creative nonfiction , evoking a sense of place is an important persuasive technique: "A storyteller persuades by creating scenes, little dramas that occur in a definite time and place, in which real people interact in a way that furthers the aims of the overall story," says Philip Gerard in "Creative Nonfiction: Researching and Crafting Stories of Real Life" (1996).

Examples of Narrative Setting

• "The first den was a rock cavity in a lichen-covered sandstone outcrop near the top of a slope, a couple of hundred yards from a road in Hawley. It was on posted property of the Scrub Oak Hunting Club -- dry hardwood forest underlain by laurel and patches of snow -- in the northern Pocono woods. Up in the sky was Buck Alt. Not long ago, he was a dairy farmer, and now he was working for the Keystone State, with directional antennae on his wing struts angled in the direction of bears." -- John McPhee, "Under the Snow" in "Table of Contents" ( 1985)
• "We hunted old bottles in the dump, bottles caked with dirt and filth, half buried, full of cobwebs, and we washed them out at the horse trough by the elevator, putting in a handful of shot along with the water to knock the dirt loose; and when we had shaken them until our arms were tired, we hauled them off in somebody's coaster wagon and turned them in at Bill Anderson's pool hall, where the smell of lemon pop was so sweet on the dark pool-hall air that I am sometimes awakened by it in the night, even yet. "Smashed wheels of wagons and buggies, tangles of rusty barbed wire, the collapsed perambulator that the French wife of one of the town's doctors had once pushed proudly up the planked sidewalks and along the ditchbank paths. A welter of foul-smelling feathers and coyote-scattered carrion which was all that remained of somebody's dream of a chicken ranch. The chickens had all got some mysterious pip at the same time, and died as one, and the dream lay out there with the rest of the town's history to rustle to the empty sky on the border of the hills." -- Wallace Stegner, "The Town Dump" in "Wolf Willow: A History, a Story, and a Memory of the Last Plains Frontier" (1962)
• "This is the nature of that country. There are hills, rounded, blunt, burned, squeezed up out of chaos, chrome and vermilion painted, aspiring to the snowline. Between the hills lie high level-looking plains full of intolerable sun glare, or narrow valleys drowned in a blue haze. The hill surface is streaked with ash drift and black, unweathered lava flows. After rains water accumulates in the hollows of small closed valleys, and, evaporating, leaves hard dry levels of pure desertness that get the local name of dry lakes. Where the mountains are steep and the rains heavy, the pool is never quite dry, but dark and bitter, rimmed about with the efflorescence of alkaline deposits. A thin crust of it lies along the marsh over the vegetating area, which has neither beauty nor freshness. In the broad wastes open to the wind the sand drifts in hummocks about the stubby shrubs, and between them the soil shows saline traces." Mary Austin, "The Land of Little Rain" (1903)

Observations on Setting the Scene

• Grounding the reader: " Nonfiction has done a much better job in terms of setting the scene, I think. ...Think of all the splendid nature writing , and adventure writing -- from Thoreau to Muir to Dillard ... where we have fine settings of scenes. Setting the scene precisely and well is too often overlooked in memoir . I'm not sure exactly why. But we -- the readers -- want to be grounded . We want to know where we are. What kind of world we're in. Not only that, but it is so often the case in nonfiction that the scene itself is a kind of character. Take the Kansas of Truman Capote's  "In Cold Blood," for example. Capote takes pains right at the beginning of his book to set the scene of his multiple murders on the plains and wheat fields of the Midwest." -- Richard Goodman, "The Soul of Creative Writing" 2008)
• Creating a world: "The setting of a piece of writing, whether fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose , is never some realistic snapshot of a place. ... If you were to describe with the utmost accuracy every structure in a city ... and then went on to describe every stitch of clothing, every piece of furniture, every custom, every meal, every parade, you would still not have captured anything essential about life. ... As a young reader, place gripped you. You wandered with Huck, Jim, and Mark Twain down an imagined Mississippi through an imagined America. You sat in a dreamy, leafy wood with a sleepy Alice, as shocked as she when the White Rabbit bustled by with no time to spare. ... You traveled intensely, blissfully, and vicariously -- because a writer took you somewhere." -- Eric Maisel, "Creating an International World: Using Place in Your Nonfiction" in "Now Write! Nonfiction: Memoir, Journalism and Creative Nonfiction Exercises," ed. by Sherry Ellis (2009)
• Shop talk: "A thing I never know when I'm telling a story is how much scenery to bung in. I've asked one or two scriveners of my acquaintance, and their views differ. A fellow I met at a cocktail party in Bloomsbury said that he was all for describing kitchen sinks and frowsy bedrooms and squalor generally, but for the beauties of Nature, no. Whereas, Freddie Oaker, of the Drones, who does tales of pure love for the weeklies under the pen-name of Alicia Seymour, once told me that he reckoned that flowery meadows in springtime alone were worth at least a hundred quid a year to him. Personally, I've always rather barred long descriptions of the terrain, so I will be on the brief side." -- P.G. Wodehouse, "Thank You, Jeeves" (1934)
• Creative Nonfiction
• What You Should Know About Travel Writing
• What Is Literary Journalism?
• Point of View in Grammar and Composition
• Defining Nonfiction Writing
• An Introduction to Literary Nonfiction
• 100 Major Works of Modern Creative Nonfiction
• How to Summarize a Plot
• Examples of Images in Poetry, Fiction, and Nonfiction
• A Look at the Roles Characters Play in Literature
• Stream of Consciousness Writing
• Definition and Examples of Vignettes in Prose
• Are Literature and Fiction the Same?
• John McPhee: His Life and Work

School of Writing, Literature, and Film

• BA in English
• BA in Creative Writing
• About Film Studies
• Film Faculty
• Minor in Film Studies
• Film Studies at Work
• Minor in English
• Minor in Writing
• Minor in Applied Journalism
• Scientific, Technical, and Professional Communication Certificate
• Academic Advising
• Student Resources
• Scholarships
• MA in English
• MFA in Creative Writing
• Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS)
• Low Residency MFA in Creative Writing
• Undergraduate Course Descriptions
• Graduate Course Descriptions- Spring 2024
• Faculty & Staff Directory
• Faculty by Fields of Focus
• Faculty Notes Submission Form
• Promoting Your Research
• 2024 Spring Newsletter
• Commitment to DEI
• Twitter News Feed
• 2022 Spring Newsletter
• OSU - University of Warsaw Faculty Exchange Program
• SWLF Media Channel
• Student Work
• View All Events
• The Stone Award
• Conference for Antiracist Teaching, Language and Assessment
• Continuing Education
• Alumni Notes
• Featured Alumni
• Donor Information
• Support SWLF

What is a Setting? || Definition & Examples

"what is a setting": a literary guide for english students and teachers.

View the full series: The Oregon State Guide to English Literary Terms

• Guide to Literary Terms
• BA in English Degree
• BA in Creative Writing Degree
• OSU Admissions Info

What is a Setting? Transcript (English and Spanish Subtitles Available in Video . Click HERE for Spanish transcript )

By Raymond Malewitz , Oregon State University Associate Professor of American Literature

8 February 2021

When we read a story or watch a movie, we usually focus our attention on the characters and the plot.  But we should also pay attention to a third important element of storytelling: the setting.  A setting is the time and place in which a story is told.

All stories have settings—even this one.  The setting of this video is a weird blank void, and you may not think that it influences the way that you understand this video’s content. But you can probably agree that you’d interpret the lesson differently if the setting were, say, this:

setting_white_house.jpg

As this difference suggests, setting is much more than a mere backdrop for human action.  Just as we are shaped by the city, region, and country that surrounds us, characters in fiction are shaped by their own geographical circumstances.   And just as we are molded by the strange 21 st century time in which we live, characters in fiction are molded by their own strange historical moments, which influence what they think, how they speak, and how they act. Paying attention to setting—what it is and how it is described--can therefore bring us closer to the central themes , ideas, and conflicts of the stories we love.

Let me give you one example.  Sarah Orne Jewett’s 1886 story “The White Heron” is set in rural Maine, and Jewett’s description of the setting helps us to clarify the its central conflict.  About halfway through the story, the protagonist , Sylvia, climbs a tall tree to look for a heron’s nest.  Here’s how Jewett describes that moment:

     “Half a mile from home, at the farther edge of the woods, where the land was highest, a great pine-tree stood, the last of its generation. Whether it was left for a boundary mark, or for what reason, no one could say; the woodchoppers who had felled its mates were dead and gone long ago, and a whole forest of sturdy trees, pines and oaks and maples, had grown again. But the stately head of this old pine towered above them all and made a landmark for sea and shore miles and miles away. Sylvia knew it well.”

setting_sarah_orne_jewett.jpg

Now, this conveniently placed tree obviously serves to advance the story’s plot.  Earlier in the story, Sylvia met a hunter from a big city who has traveled to this region to shoot a heron for his taxidermy collection, and he’s offered the girl a large sum of money to help him to find one. After she climbs the tree, Sylvia spots the heron’s hidden nest, which propels the plot forward to its climactic question : will she reveal the bird’s location to the hunter or not?

But the description of the tree also EXPANDS this individual story of a young girl and a hunter into the story of a more general theme of a tension between rural and urban areas in the United States.  By calling the old-growth pine-tree “the last of its generation,” Jewett depicts rural Maine as a site of resource extraction—in this case, timber extraction. The other old-growth trees in the area had been removed long ago—presumably to support of the development of eastern cities like the one the hunter calls his home. And this scarcity extends to the dwindling white heron populations in the area. The heron’s feathers had, in the late nineteenth century, been used in hats for fashionable big-city ladies, and the bird had been hunted to near extinction as a result.

setting_womans_hat.jpg

Thus what seems like a simple throwaway description of an old-growth tree in fact plays a central role in the understanding the significance of the decision that Sylvia must make later in the story, linking the individual story of a girl and a hunter with the larger history of that region of the United States.

Settings not only help to clarify a given story’s themes .  They can also help us to understand a character’s worldview through how they think about their surroundings.  As Sylvia’s thoughts on the tree suggest, she views her rural setting as a place of wondrous secrets, grandeur, and dignity.  This perspective stands in stark contrast to the hunter’s thoughts on the same setting, which Jewett reveals through a technique called “ free indirect discourse ” in an earlier passage. When the hunter sits down to dinner at Sylvia’s grandmother’s house, he thinks:

“It was a surprise to find so clean and comfortable a little dwelling in this New England wilderness. The young man had known the horrors of its most primitive housekeeping, and the dreary squalor of that level of society which does not rebel at the companionship of hens. This was the best thrift of an old-fashioned farmstead, though on such a small scale that it seemed like a hermitage. He listened eagerly to the old woman's quaint talk, he watched Sylvia's pale face and shining gray eyes with ever growing enthusiasm, and insisted that this was the best supper he had eaten for a month...”

setting_the_white_heron_ii.jpg

While the hunter seems polite, his thoughts reveal a fairly condescending attitude towards what he calls the “primitive” and “dreary squalor” of the New England setting.  Because we associate this region with our protagonist, Sylvia, when the hunter disparages the region, we are encouraged to view his quest for the bird in a more negative light, aligning the bird’s life with Sylvia’s life in her setting.

As “The White Heron” suggests, students should do more than simply note place and time when they use the term “setting” in their essays.  Instead, they should consider the many ways in which place and time shape our understanding of the story’s characters, plot, and themes.

Want to cite this?

MLA Citation: Malewitz, Raymond. "What is a Setting?" Oregon State Guide to English Literary Terms, 8 Feb. 2021, Oregon State University, https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-setting . Accessed [insert date].

Interested in more video lessons? View the full series:

The oregon state guide to english literary terms, contact info.

Email: [email protected]

College of Liberal Arts Student Services 214 Bexell Hall 541-737-0561

Deans Office 200 Bexell Hall 541-737-4582

Corvallis, OR 97331-8600

liberalartsosu liberalartsosu liberalartsosu liberalartsosu CLA LinkedIn

• Dean's Office
• Faculty & Staff Resources
• Research Support
• Featured Stories
• Undergraduate Students
• Transfer Students
• Graduate Students
• Career Services
• Internships
• Financial Aid
• Honors Student Profiles
• Degrees and Programs
• Centers and Initiatives
• School of Communication
• School of History, Philosophy and Religion
• School of Language, Culture and Society
• School of Psychological Science
• School of Public Policy
• School of Visual, Performing and Design Arts
• School of Writing, Literature and Film
• Give to CLA

• What is Setting in Creative Writing? Elements of Story Writing.
• Self Publishing Guide

Setting in creative writing  is an essential  element of writing  that creates the backdrop for a story. It refers to the physical location, time, and environment in which the story takes place. The setting of a story can be an important aspect that shapes the characters and events of the story. In this blog, we will discuss what setting is and how it can be used effectively in creative writing.

Setting of the Story:

The  setting of a story  can be defined as the time, place, and environment in which the events of the story take place. It can be a specific geographic location, such as a city, country, or even a fictional world. The setting can also include the time period, such as the past, present, or future. Moreover, the setting can include the physical environment, including the climate, terrain, and natural features. let’s explore the concept of setting in creative writing with an example. Consider the following excerpt from  “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee :

“Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square. Somehow, it was hotter then: a black dog suffered on a summer’s day; bony mules hitched to Hoover carts flicked flies in the sweltering shade of the live oaks on the square. Men’s stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon, after their three-o’clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum.”

Read:  What is Narrative Writing? Here’s a list of Elements in Creative Writing.

In this excerpt, we can see that the setting of the story is Maycomb, a small town in Alabama. The author provides us with vivid descriptions of the town’s physical environment, such as the rainy weather that turns the streets to red slop and the grass growing on the sidewalks. 

We can also see that the setting is in the past, as the author uses phrases such as “when I first knew it” and references to Hoover carts and stiff collars. The author also includes descriptions of the natural features, such as the live oaks on the square, which helps to create a sense of place for the reader.

The setting in this example is an essential element of the story, as it creates a specific atmosphere and mood that complements the events and themes of the story. The description of Maycomb as a tired old town with sagging buildings and sweltering heat helps to establish a sense of the town’s decay and stagnation, which is a central theme of the novel. Additionally, the setting is used to highlight the characters’ emotions and relationships with each other and their environment.

Setting as a Character:

In some stories, the setting can also function as a character. In these cases, the setting takes on a life of its own and influences the events and characters of the story. For example, a story set in a small town with oppressive heat and drought can create a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere that affects the characters’ behavior and choices. let’s explore the concept of setting as a character in creative writing with an example. Consider the following excerpt from “The Shining” by  Stephen King :

“The Overlook Hotel was his own invention, the site being inspired by a dream he had during a family vacation at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. The hotel’s fictional location of Sidewinder, Colorado, is situated on the actual location of Estes Park, where King had stayed with his wife Tabitha in the Stanley Hotel, during the summer of 1974.”

In this example, we can see how the setting of the story – the Overlook Hotel – can function as a character. Throughout the novel, the hotel takes on a life of its own, influencing the events and characters of the story. The hotel’s eerie, isolated location in the Rocky Mountains, along with its history of violence and tragic events, creates a foreboding atmosphere that affects the characters’ behavior and choices. Moreover, the hotel’s supernatural abilities, such as the ability to manipulate time and space, adds to its character-like presence in the story.

The Overlook Hotel’s role as a character is central to the story, as it acts as both a physical and psychological antagonist to the protagonist, Jack Torrance. The hotel’s malevolent influence pushes Jack towards madness and violence, and ultimately drives the story towards its climactic conclusion.

Thus, the concept of setting as a character in creative writing can be a powerful tool to enhance the atmosphere and mood of a story. When executed effectively, it can add depth and complexity to the story’s themes and characters.

Settings of a Book:

The settings of a book can be varied and diverse, depending on the author’s vision and the story’s requirements. A book can be set in a specific location, such as a city or a rural area, or it can be set in a fictional world with unique geography and rules. The time period can also vary, ranging from historical settings to futuristic ones. Moreover, the environment can be a significant factor in the setting, including elements such as weather, climate, and geography.

“Carrie” by Stephen King  is a great example of how setting can be an essential element of story writing. The novel is set in a small town in Maine, where Carrie White, the protagonist, lives with her abusive mother. The story is set in the 1970s and is set against the backdrop of social change and unrest in America.

Read:  A complete guide on how to publish short stories online for free.

The setting of the small town is used to create a sense of isolation and claustrophobia that contributes to the tension and horror of the story. The town is portrayed as a conservative and oppressive community that is intolerant of difference and outsiders. This environment contributes to the development of Carrie’s character as she struggles to find acceptance and connection amidst the town’s hostility.

Moreover, the setting serves as a foil against which the supernatural elements of the story are highlighted. As Carrie’s telekinetic powers develop, the natural elements of the setting, such as weather and geography, become increasingly distorted and threatening. This creates a sense of escalating danger and tension that contributes to the story’s horror.

Therefore, the setting of “Carrie” plays an essential role in shaping the story’s characters and themes, as well as contributing to its mood and atmosphere. The effective use of setting is an important element of story writing that can help to create a memorable and immersive reading experience.

Elements of Story Writing:

Setting is an essential element of story writing, along with plot, characters, theme, and style. It can be used to create a mood or atmosphere that complements the story’s events and themes. The setting can also serve as a backdrop against which the characters’ struggles and conflicts are highlighted. Effective use of setting can help to immerse the reader in the story and make the events and characters feel more real.

Elements of a Short Story:

In a  short story , the setting is often used to create a concise and focused backdrop for the story’s events. The setting can be used to establish the mood, tone, and atmosphere of the story. Moreover, the setting can be used to highlight the characters’ emotions and thoughts, as well as their relationships with each other and their environment.

In conclusion, setting is an essential  element of creative writing  that creates the backdrop for a story. It can be used effectively to create a mood or atmosphere, highlight the characters’ struggles, and make the events and characters feel more real. As such, it is an important element to consider when crafting a story, and its effective use can greatly enhance the reader’s experience. 

Publish your book for free  with  BlueRoseONE  and become a  bestselling author . Don’t let your dream of becoming an author fade away, grab the opportunity now and publish your book – be it fiction, non fiction, poetry or more.

• About The Author
• Latest Posts

Mansi Chauhan

You May Also Like

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Discover 7 Types of Creative Writing to Spark Your Imagination

April 10, 2024

Dive into the diverse world of creative writing, exploring everything from poetry to screenwriting. Uncover strategies and techniques for compelling storytelling. Learn about the various styles, from descriptive to persuasive writing. See how AI is reshaping the creative process, offering new possibilities for writers.

Introduction

Exploring different forms of creative writing.

Creative writing is an art form that opens up worlds of possibilities, allowing writers to explore realms beyond the confines of conventional writing. It encompasses a variety of styles and formats, each offering a unique way to express thoughts, emotions, and stories. This exploration delves into the imagination and linguistic prowess that define creative writing, setting it apart from more structured forms of writing.

Understanding Creative Writing Strategies and Techniques

Mastering creative writing involves more than just a fertile imagination; it also requires a toolkit of strategies and techniques. From the initial planning stages to the final publication, each step in the writing process plays a crucial role in bringing a piece of writing to life. This section will discuss how these tools can enhance storytelling and engage readers more deeply.

Types of Creative Writing

Poetry is an intensely personal form of creative writing that allows for the expression of feelings and thoughts through rhythm, rhyme, and imagery. Poets like Emily Dickinson and Pablo Neruda have touched the hearts of many by mastering this concise, emotive form.

Fiction writing creates worlds and characters that offer escapism, reflection, and commentary on the human condition. Novels, novellas, and short stories allow writers like J.K. Rowling and George Orwell to explore complex ideas within the confines of narrative structure.

Non-Fiction

Non-fiction creative writing, such as memoirs and personal essays, allows writers to explore real events with a narrative flair. This style focuses on conveying factual information through a compelling writing style, exemplified by works like 'The Year of Magical Thinking' by Joan Didion.

Writing for theatrical performance, drama involves crafting dialogues and scenes meant to be performed in front of an audience. Playwrights like Tennessee Williams demonstrate how dialogue and stage directions intertwine to bring stories to life.

Screenplays

Screenwriting is the art of writing scripts for film or television. It combines visual elements with dialogue and requires a unique formatting style to guide production teams, as seen in classic films scripted by writers like Quentin Tarantino.

Blogs offer a more informal approach to creative writing, often blending personal insights, informational content, and a conversational tone to engage readers directly through personal or professional websites.

This form of creative writing focuses on delivering messages through spoken word, often intended to persuade, inform, or entertain an audience. Great speeches, such as those by Martin Luther King Jr., utilize rhetorical techniques to impact listeners profoundly.

Styles of Creative Writing

Creative writing can manifest in various styles, each serving a unique purpose and engaging the reader in different ways. By understanding the characteristics and aims of each style, writers can choose the most effective way to convey their message or story.

Descriptive Writing

Characteristics.

Descriptive writing aims to immerse the reader in a vividly portrayed scene, object, or feeling. It utilizes sensory details and powerful adjectives, creating a rich tapestry of images that allows the reader to visualize and experience the writer's world as if they were there.

The goal of descriptive writing is not just to describe for the sake of description but to paint a picture so real and vivid that the reader can see, feel, smell, taste, and hear the described scene or object. It enhances the reader's engagement and emotional connection with the text.

Narrative Writing

Narrative writing is the art of storytelling . It constructs a narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end. This style is foundational in both fiction and non-fiction, involving character development, plot setting, and often reaching a climax or conclusion that resolves the tale.

The purpose of narrative writing is to tell a story that is engaging, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant. It aims to transport the reader through time and space, offering them a glimpse into different worlds, perspectives, and experiences.

Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing seeks to convince the reader of a particular point of view or argument. It is characterized by clear logic, emotional appeal, and the use of credible evidence to support the argument. The writer's stance is presented in a way that aims to persuade the reader to agree.

The aim here is to influence the reader's beliefs or actions. Whether it's convincing them to adopt a new perspective, make a decision, or take a specific action, persuasive writing seeks to change the way the reader thinks or behaves.

Bonus: How to ensure the Factual Accuracy of your Content?

Expository Writing

Expository writing is informative and explanatory. It presents facts, discusses ideas, or explains processes in a clear, concise manner. This style of writing is research-based , presenting a balanced analysis without the influence of the writer's personal feelings or opinions.

Its primary aim is to inform and educate the reader about a specific topic. By presenting facts and analysis, expository writing helps the reader understand complex subjects, making informed decisions or gaining new insights.

Reflective Writing

Reflective writing is introspective, exploring the writer's personal experiences, thoughts, or feelings about a particular subject or event. It allows for a deeper exploration of the writer's personal growth, understandings, and emotional journey.

The goal is to offer insights into personal development or to reflect on the significance of events and experiences. Reflective writing encourages self-awareness and critical thinking, allowing both the writer and the reader to explore deeper meanings and perspectives.

Experimental Writing

Experimental writing challenges traditional narrative forms and structures. It plays with conventional grammar, syntax, and form, often breaking the rules to create a unique reading experience. This style seeks to innovate and explore new ways of storytelling and expression.

The aim of experimental writing is to push the boundaries of how stories are told and how language is used. It seeks to engage the reader in new and unconventional ways, challenging their expectations and perceptions of what writing can be.

Incorporating AI in Creative Writing

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into creative writing represents a significant shift in how writers approach the creative process. From enhancing productivity to challenging the very notion of originality , AI tools offer both solutions and raise questions in the literary world.

Advantages and Challenges of AI in Creative Writing

• Speed and Efficiency : AI can dramatically speed up the writing process, offering assistance with data gathering, idea generation, and even the initial drafting of texts. This allows writers to focus more on refining their ideas and less on the labor-intensive aspects of writing.
• Creative Assistance : AI tools can suggest prompts, help overcome writer's block, and provide stylistic suggestions, acting as a digital muse for writers in search of inspiration or direction.
• Emotional Depth : While AI is adept at processing data and generating text, it often struggles to replicate the nuanced, deeply emotional undertones that human writers can convey. This limitation can impact the perceived authenticity and emotional resonance of AI-generated content.
• Artistic Integrity : The use of AI in creative writing brings into question issues of originality and authorship. As AI becomes more involved in the creative process, distinguishing between the writer's voice and the machine's contribution becomes increasingly complex.

Examples of AI Tools for Creative Writing

Openai's gpt models.

OpenAI's GPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer) models have revolutionized the field of creative writing by offering tools that can generate writing prompts, draft texts, and even suggest stylistic changes. These models leverage vast amounts of data to produce text that can mimic a wide range of writing styles, making them valuable assets for writers seeking inspiration or assistance in their creative endeavors.

LongShot AI

LongShot AI is another innovative tool designed to assist writers, particularly in the realm of content creation and enhancement. It goes beyond simple text generation, offering features tailored to the needs of content writers, such as generating article outlines, suggesting headlines, and optimizing content for search engines. LongShot AI's focus on utility and specificity makes it a powerful tool for writers looking to streamline their workflow and enhance their content's effectiveness.

Navigating the Intersection of AI and Creativity

As AI continues to evolve, its role in creative writing is likely to grow, offering new tools and technologies to aid writers. However, navigating this intersection requires a careful balance, ensuring that the essence of creativity — with its inherent unpredictability and emotional depth — remains at the heart of the writing process. The challenge lies in leveraging AI's capabilities without diminishing the personal touch and unique voice that define a writer's work.

The exploration of different creative writing styles and techniques reveals a rich landscape of expression. Each style serves a unique purpose and caters to various audiences, emphasizing the importance of choice and adaptation in creative endeavors. As writers continue to evolve and experiment, the integration of innovative tools like AI can further enhance the narrative capabilities and efficiency of creative writing.

Latest posts

AI Fact Checking: Your Ultimate Weapon Against Misinformation

Fact-Checking Fundamentals: Essential Skills for Navigating the Era of Fake News

The Science Behind AI Content Detectors: Insights into Their Methods and Accuracy

Want 20% off your first purchase?

5 ways to teach setting and engage your students.

When reading a story, one of the most important aspects is the setting. It is oftentimes overlooked by students as they tend to focus more on the characters or the plot. The setting can help to create the mood and tone of the story. It can also help to engage your students in their reading as the setting truly affects every other part of the story.

The setting influences the characters and their personalities and affects the plot in many ways.  The setting provides a place for the characters to create their stories and it helps strengthen students' understanding of the other story elements.

For students to completely understand the characters and events in a story, they must understand the importance that the setting plays.  The setting can affect the characters internally and externally.  The setting can help set the mood or the feeling in the story and help students make connections.  Students learn to pay attention to the “when” and “where” as they read and make inferences about the text.

Here are 5 lessons to teach when you are helping students understand the importance of the setting in a story:

1. Determining the Setting

One of the most important things you'll want to do as a teacher when helping students understand the setting is to help them determine where and when the story is taking place. This can be done by asking questions such as:

• What does the environment look like?
• What type of weather is happening?
• Are there any specific holidays or events happening?
• What year is it?
• Is it during the day or at night?

Once you've helped students understand where and when the story is taking place, they'll be better able to visualize the story and understand how it affects the characters and plot.

2. How the Setting Can Affect the Story:

The setting is more than just the location and time of a story. It can also affect the plot and characters in many ways. For example, if the story is set in a cold environment, the characters might be forced to stay inside and deal with their problems, as opposed to going on an adventure. Or, if the story is set in a hot environment, the characters might be constantly dealing with things like dehydration or sunburn.

In addition to the physical setting, it's important to understand the social setting of a story. This includes everything from the culture of the characters to the laws and customs that are in place. Teaching students about the social setting can help them better understand why characters behave in certain ways and make the decisions that they do.

3. Describing the Setting:

One of the best ways to help students understand the setting is to have them describe the setting with words. Ask them to think about what the weather is like, what the landscape looks like, what the people in the setting are wearing, and what the social conditions look like. You can also ask them to describe the emotions that the setting elicits. For example, if a story is set in a cold environment, the students might feel tense because of the chilly weather.

4. Comparing Settings:

One way to help students understand the importance of setting is to have them compare and contrast different settings. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as writing about the setting, creating charts or diagrams, or even acting out scenes from different stories.

By comparing and contrasting different settings, students can see how the setting can affect the plot, characters, and overall tone of a story. For example, if you are comparing a story that is set in the city with one that is set in the country, you might want to focus on things like:

• The environment (urban vs. rural)
• The culture (sophisticated vs. simple)
• The social dynamics (close-knit community vs. anonymous city)
• The physical surroundings (tall buildings vs. wide open spaces)

Comparing and contrasting settings can help students develop a deeper understanding of what makes a story unique and interesting. It can also help them better appreciate the role that the setting plays in shaping a story.

5. Writing About the Setting:

When writing about the setting of a story, it can be helpful to think about the following questions:

• What is the most important thing about the setting in relation to the story?
• What is the mood or feeling that the setting evokes?
• How does the setting help to create the tone of the story?

When a story is set in more than one location, it can add an extra layer of complexity to the plot. For example, a story might take place in both the present and the past, or in two different parts of the world. By comparing and contrasting the different settings, students can get a better sense of how each location affects the characters and the overall story.

In order to help students understand multiple settings, you can use graphic organizers like Venn diagrams or chart paper. You can also have students create their own maps or illustrations that show the different locations in the story.

Teaching setting is an important part of helping students understand the elements of a story. Teaching about the setting can help students better understand not only the stories they are reading but also their own lives. What are some ways that you have helped your students understand the setting in a story?

Shop the resources featured in this post:

Happy Teaching!

You may also enjoy:.

Creating Lifelong Readers With Interactive Read Alouds