Setting the Scene: Location
Last week we discussed establishing character point of view
at the onset of a new scene or chapter. (Click here to read this post.) This week we are going to talk about
establishing location. When I say location I’m not necessarily referring to the
geographic element such as where in the world, but your reader needs to be able
to picture your characters somewhere. If
you fail to provide location your characters might as well be acting out in
front of a green screen--it’s the same equivalence. You would be leaving it up
to your reader to place your characters. Needless to say this will likely make
them confused and ultimately close your book which is the last thing you want.
This element of setting a scene can be a tricky one as it’s
not always necessary to point out in an obvious way where it’s taking place.
It’s quite possible the scene is a continuation of an earlier one and your
reader already has a vision of the surroundings. However, it’s up to you as the
author to make sure that imagery remains sharp while not duplicating
description. How can you accomplish that?
Toss in small observations that solidify them back into the
scene. For example, your characters are at a restaurant. In the first scene you
established this. You probably described what it looked like, the type of food
they serve and more. It’s not necessary to rehash all of this information
again. However, you leave this scene to skip to another one going on in your
book and come back to the restaurant. By the characters the readers will know
where they are (assuming you left a hook that didn’t close the scene). When you
come back to them, maybe have their actions of eating or drinking, the waiting
staff checking in on them, observations of other patrons. You get the idea.
Another question that comes up periodically is where do you
establish the location of your scene--right away or a few paragraphs in? This
is up to you and the way you’ve set up the scene. Maybe it’s more suspenseful
to hold back the location for a while, or more gripping to set things up right
away. Do what is more effective for the
scene.
Remember, too, with location it’s not necessary to list
details off. Only include necessary details.
Also be sure to include the five senses in your painting of a
scene. (I covered this topic in more
detail in the post
Lead Your Reader's Imagination and there's more coming up next week.) In the example of a restaurant above, what
does it smell like, do the aromas make your character’s stomach tighten with
hunger, what is the texture of their pasta entree--if this amount of detail is
applicable to your character. Surely a chef would notice whether their meal was
cooked properly.
In summary, only you can decide what details are required to
establish location in a scene. Be true to your story and genre and go with what
works best in each scenario.
Excellent points! I'm all for PERTINENT setting details, tying it into the character's POV/personality, as well as placing that character for the reader. Well-said!
ReplyDeleteExcellent. Thank you.
DeleteAs a reader, I like to feel I'm there...in the story. So, those details help me see and imagine it all happening. It puts me there. As a writer, I try hard to put those details into my story so my reader can follow along with me. Thank you for all your great writing helps!! I appreciate all of them!!
ReplyDeleteHappy that you found the post beneficial. ;)
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