One of my biggest hurdles when I first started writing was setting the scene. Sometimes when we’re so focused on action and dialogue we forget to include vital details that will help our readers see the scene unfold. It can seem like a daunting task, but believe me when I say that if I can learn this skill, so can you. If you follow these simple steps you’ll create immersive worlds for your readers to escape into, making them feel as if they are a part of the story, rather than spectating from a distance.
Tip #1 Pull from personal experience.
Use settings that evoke a powerful memory for you. Use your five senses to bring the reader along as you experience the environment through the eyes of your character. I know it’s not always practical to use places you’ve been in real life, but it’s the little details that really bring those settings to life. The smell of rain hanging in the air, the sand squishing between your toes, the way the sunlight shines through a leafy canopy. If you’re not familiar enough with a particular environment to describe it, have no fear… The internet exists! Do some research, and take your time. You don’t need to travel the world to write about other countries that your characters go to, but don’t be lazy. You owe it to your readers to make the experience as visceral as possible.
Tip #2 Immerse yourself in the moment.
This can be different for everyone. Personally, I like to put on my headphones, close my eyes, and imagine that I was personally walking into the scene. I keep my eyes closed as I write and just let the words flow. Don’t worry about typos or bad grammar. Don’t stop writing until you’ve got it all out on the page. If you’re not comfortable typing blind, use a voice recorder or text to type software. I bet you’ll be surprised at the result.
Tip #3 Make it Interactive.
After you’ve got a nice sloppy paragraph of sites, sounds, smells and textures, take a moment to convert all that telling into showing. To do this you want to add in your character. What are they going through at that moment? How is the scenery affecting them? It can be as simple as walking into their apartment. Ex: I closed the door behind me and I walked toward the kitchen, eyeing the scorch-mark from where Candice had set the hot pan on the wooden countertop. The comfort of home settled upon me as the light of the setting filtered through sheer curtains.
Tip #4 Keep it simple.
As tempting as it is to go way overboard describing every piece of fuzz in the carpet, you don’t want these kinds of descriptions to cause your story to drag. It only takes a paragraph or two. As soon as your character enters a space they haven’t been before, describe it immediately, that way as they come and go throughout the book your reader can visualize it without you having to rebuild the scene every time. Only add in details that the character will be interacting with. Anything more will distract the reader. So if you’re describing their apartment, detail where the furniture is, the bed, the layout of the space. Flow-through the scenery and let your characters do what they have to do.
Tip #5 Make an Emotional Connection.
Your characters are people just like you and me-- I mean... generally speaking. Even werewolves and vampires have a human side. If you show that they have habits and rituals it’ll help your reader to understand the type of person your character is. Do they make tea every night? Keep the tea kettle as a permanent counter fixture and give them a favorite mug. Do they like being outside? Write in a large window that they can open for fresh air when they’re feeling too closed in. Make your character a part of the space, anchor them to it.
And there you have it, friends. Five ways to give your writing just a little more oomph. If you’re interested in getting access to more free writing tools and monthly book recommendations, please sign up for our monthly newsletter. And if you have any questions or suggestions for future articles, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at writersmusepublishing@gmail.com.
Happy writing, booklings!
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