Sound
Touch/Texture
Smells
Taste
Now use the same Setting and place one of your story characters in that Setting. What would they see, hear, feel, smell, or taste differently?
PART 2:
Use any 2-4 sentences of Setting you currently have in your WIP — one without much sensory detail and preferably one at the opening of a scene or a chapter or in a change of location for the character.
See what sensory details you can add without adding a lot more words. [Note: This may require rewriting and replacing some visual details with other sensory details.] Put yourself in the POV character’s state of mind and look around. What would he or she specifically smell, touch, hear, or taste? Write an example of each sense, then add to your current scene. Try for a minimum of two additional details, more if you wish.
Do you like the rewrite? Did you discover it added more depth to the story or insights into your character?
Intention: To start showing you the power of using sensory details while keeping you aware that if you change the character you’ll change which senses they use or how they relate to the sensory details of a specific Setting.
RECAP
* Use specific sounds to thread through descriptive details that can pull and anchor the reader onto the page.
* As you change your Setting, look at opportunities to quickly orient and anchor the reader as to where the characters are by focusing in on sensory details of that specific Setting.
* Change up your sensory details so you are not always using the same senses.
* By using more sensory details in your Setting description readers can feel themselves pulled deeper into a story on a three-dimensional level vs. simply a visual level.
* Make sure though that your detail is specific to the place and specific to the POV character’s awareness.
WRAP UP
I hope you have learned from the examples and explanations in this book of how to use your Setting descriptions in your own work to enhance the reader’s experience. If you want more information on how to maximize Active Setting look for the next two books in this series Writing Active Setting: Book 2: Setting to Show Emotion, Add Conflict, and Show Back Story; and in Writing Active Setting: Book 3: Anchoring, Action, as a Character and More, coming soon in 2013.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Barr, Nevada., Burn, Minotaur Books; 1 edition (August 3, 2010)
Bourne, Joanna., The Spymaster’s Lady; Berkley Pub Group (2008)
Buckham, Mary., Invisible Recruit; Silhouette (2006)
Collins, Suzanne., The Hunger Games; Scholastic Press; Reprint (2010)
Crais, Robert., The Watchman; Simon & Schuster (2007)
Evanovich, Janet., Seven Up; St. Martin's Publishers; 1st edition (2002)
Ford, Jamie., Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet; Ballantine Books (2009)
Gardiner, Meg., China Lake; Signet; Reprint (2008)
Gardiner, Meg., The Memory Collector; Dutton Adult (2009)
Gerritsen, Tess., Ice Cold; Ballantine Books; 1 edition (2010)
Gilman, Laura Anne., Hard Magic; Luna; (2010)
Harris, Charlaine., Dead Until Dark; Ace; Reprint (2010)
Larsson, Stieg., The Girl Who Played With Fire; Vintage; Reissue (2011)
Mosley, Walter., Cinnamon Kiss; Little, Brown and Company (2005)
Parker, T. Jefferson., Red Light; Hyperion; 1st edition (2000)
Pickard, Nancy., Confession; Pocket Books (2007)
O’Brien, Kevin., Final Breath; Pinnacle (2009)
If you enjoyed this book, it’s time to learn other considerations in how to maximize your Setting, such as using Setting to create foreshadowing and tension, how to show emotion and back story, as well as how to use Setting as a character in your story.
WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT:
Writing Active Setting; Book 2: Setting to Show Emotion, Add Conflict, and Show Back Story (release: Spring 2013)
* Learning how to write ACTIVE SETTINGS has been amazing. The examples are concise and fit seamlessly into the narrative. This book has been both challenging and informative. ~~ Laurel Wilczek, SciFi and Fantasy writer
* ACTIVE SETTINGS is a fantastic book! Finally, I “really” understand what setting means. I have my sweat tea in one hand, a sharpened pencil in the other and my Active Setting book open before me. It doesn’t get much better for a novice writer! – Sharon Marie Lightsley, Inspirational Suspense Writer
* This book helped me identify areas where I really need to focus (Setting and emotion) and clarified how I can make my Setting work for me in the story and the world I’ve created. ~~ Wendy G – Memphis, Tennessee
Writing Active Setting: Book 3: Anchoring, Action, as a Character and More (release: Summer 2013)
* The whole series, but this book in particular makes me feel like I can really dig in and write a stronger story. It’s a very empowering feeling and makes me excited to revise my own work. ~~ Jim Robinson, Denver, Colorado
* I was reading one of my favorite authors at the Laundromat this morning and suddenly I was hit with a thunderbolt. Why do I love this author? Because she brings me right into the scene. How? Through threading some of the setting into the interaction of the character. And that’s exactly what you’re showing me how to do in my own work through this book. Thank you! ~~ Tricia Cole, Erotic Romance writer
* I am amazed how much can change in one paragraph of my manuscript with the manipulation of Setting. This book spells out how to do just that in clear, easy to understand, small steps. ~~ Judy Wirzberger. Women’s Fiction writer
Writing Active Setting Book 1: Characterization and Sensory Detail Page 6