​​​Setting

About Writing     |     The Hollow Man Series, International Espionage​

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​​​​​Along with the plot, character, theme, pacing, and style, setting is considered one of the fundamental components of fiction. Setting refers to the physical, geographical, historical, and cultural context in which the story takes place. It includes elements such as historical time period, location, weather, landscape, and social and cultural norms. Setting also reveals passage of time, which may be static in some stories or dynamic in others, such as changing seasons, flashbacks, and jumps in time back and forward.

A well-crafted setting can enhance the mood, atmosphere, and tone of a story, making it more engaging and immersive for the reader. It can also provide important context and background information that helps readers better understand the characters and their motivations. For example, a story set in a war-torn country will create a different mood and tone compared to a story set in a peaceful, idyllic countryside.

In addition, the setting can play a significant role in shaping the plot and conflict of a story. A story set in a densely populated city may have different conflicts and obstacles compared to one set in a rural area. The setting can also be used to create symbolism and foreshadowing, further enriching the story. In some novels, the setting may become a character itself.

Whether your setting is your childhood neighborhood or the seventh moon of Bazinga, you’ll want to start your first draft with a firm idea of where your prominent scenes will take place. Don’t choose a setting just because it sounds cool or because you’re familiar with it. Look for settings that will be inherent to and drive your plot. Think about these questions when creating your setting.

• Will setting be loosely based on places that are familiar to you in real life?
• Will it take place on Earth, or somewhere else?
• Will it be centered in one city or neighborhood, or expanded to a range of locations?
• What kind of society is the setting centered around?
• Will the world be cast in shadows, or will it inspire optimism?
• Will the setting itself cause hardships for the characters? Meaning, will the setting place demands on the characters, such as the wilds of Alaska or the ghettos of the inner city?
• Will the setting play a key role in the plot?

Keep this in mind; setting is a crucial element, greatly impacting a story’s overall effectiveness. A well-crafted setting can make a story more engaging, immersive, and memorable for the reader.