Creating Settings in Novels

Photo by Karol Pomplin

There are a million places to visit and yet we get stuck on settings when writing. Well, at least some of us do.


For those of you who need help with setting, I hope this blog post sparks an idea.


First of all, I'd like to give a shout-out to Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. THANK YOU for creating the Bookshelf Muse. I use it every day and I'm sure those of you who know about it do too. I can't live without it!


A setting thesaurus along with many other useful thesauruses are listed on their home page for your convenience. Don't miss out!

After reading Donald Maass's writing books, one thing that sticks in my head is: Do NOT set a scene in the kitchen.


It's very easy to have your characters eating around the table, sipping coffee, and not moving the scene forward. Which is a great reminder.

Keep the scene active.

Always.


It's also important to make readers feel they are there. Don't forget to show how character's respond to their surroundings.


What does she hear?
Smell?
See?
Taste?
Feel?


Sensory details can make a scene come to life.


Over the years, I've compiled a list of potential settings. It's a short one so please feel free to leave a comment and add to the list.


Aquarium
Golf course
Farmers market
Subway/Train
Plane
Fair/Carnival
Local park or a National Park
School/college
Museum
Movies
Zoo
Cemetery
Beach
Pool
River
Art theatre
Store
Restaurant
Bowling/pool
Doctors office
Amusement park (Disneyland/Funworks)
Skiing/snowboarding
Bakery
Clubs
Concert
Roadside Diner
Barn
Carriages
Ballroom
Gardens
Terraces
Coffee shop
Cruise ship
Mall
Bus
A firefighter/police ride along




And we musn't forget about Google Earth. Lots of great info.

Last but not least, here are a few great articles that are very useful:


Brandilyn Collins on Description and Setting


How to Master settings in novels


Seekerville touches base on the importance of setting HERE

Creative settings pictures that cold possiblly spark ideas 

How about you, how do you come up with settings? Any other places come to mind to add to the list?