creative writing setting description

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Writing Techniques

How to Describe the Setting in a Story

Last Updated: February 11, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lucy V. Hay and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising . Lucy V. Hay is a Professional Writer based in London, England. With over 20 years of industry experience, Lucy is an author, script editor, and award-winning blogger who helps other writers through writing workshops, courses, and her blog Bang2Write. Lucy is the producer of two British thrillers, and Bang2Write has appeared in the Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life and is a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK. She received a B.A. in Scriptwriting for Film & Television from Bournemouth University. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,117,008 times.

The setting of a story is the environment your characters are in. The location, time, and weather all play major points in a story, and a well-described setting can make it more interesting for your readers to completely immerse themselves in the fictional world you’ve created. When you describe your setting, use detailed language and have your characters interact with it to engage your readers. When you have a detailed setting, your story will come to life!

Creating a Detailed Setting

• For example, if your setting is the beach, you could describe the feeling of sand between your character’s toes, the taste the salt in the air, the sound of the waves, the briny smell of the water, and the shape of the sand dunes.
• If you want to be a professional writer, you should outline first.
• It helps to write novels fast. [2] X Research source
• It cuts down the problem areas in the plot and makes work easier. [3] X Research source

• If you can’t visit the location yourself, research online for firsthand accounts of people in the area. Pull details from what they’ve experienced, but be sure not to plagiarize them .

• If you’re writing about a real-life location, use Google Street View to look at the area to pull even more specific details.
• Look on websites like Artstation and Pinterest if you’re writing about a made-up universe to get visual inspiration for what your setting could look like.
• Mix real-life details with your imagination to make the setting specific to your story.

• For example, if you’re writing a story that takes place soon after World War II, you may say, “The planes tore through the city, leaving piles of burnt rubble where our houses used to be,” to reference how a battle affected the town’s landscape.

Incorporating Details into Your Story

• For example, if you’re describing an abandoned house, you might focus on the wallpaper peeling off of the walls, broken stairs leading to the second floor, and how the windows are covered with rotting boards.

• For example, if you’re writing about an abandoned house like before, you may write, “I tried to peek through the windows, but the rotting boards blocked my view. I pushed open the door, and it swung open with the loud creak of rusty hinges. As I walked inside, my fingers ran over wallpaper peeling away from the drywall.” This way, details are conveyed throughout the paragraph without being overwhelming.

• For example, you may write something like, “The wires covered the basement floor, like vines waiting to ensnare me in their trap,” to convey how dense the wires are in a basement.

An Example of Figurative Description

Small flames stirred at the trunk of a tree and crawled away through leaves and brushwood, dividing and increasing. One patch touched a tree trunk and scrambled up like a bright squirrel. The smoke increased, sifted, rolled outwards. The squirrel leapt on the wings of the wind and clung to another standing tree, eating downwards.

William Golding, Lord of the Flies

Connecting Setting to Characters

• For example, if your character is walking down a street and having a conversation, it’s not important to include detailed descriptions. However, if your story involves a car accident, you might add descriptions like a streetlight that’s flickering or a stop sign that was stolen.
• Try to have most, if not all, of the settings in your story integral settings for your character.

• For example, instead of writing, “A log was in front of her. She tripped over it,” you may write something like, “As she rushed through the dark forest path, her foot caught on a log and she fell into the tall grass.”

• For example, if your character is sad you may say, “As she wiped the tears off her cheek, the sun disappeared and a slow patter of rain started to thrum on the pavement. A gust of cold wind blew right through her.”

• For example, if your story is about someone learning to love another person, you could have the setting change from winter to summer to convey the message that your characters are warming up to one another.

An Example of Setting Conveying Emotion

The deep green pool of the Salinas River was still in the late afternoon. Already the sun had left the valley to go climbing up the slopes of the Gabilan Mountains, and the hilltops were rosy in the sun. But by the pool among the mottled sycamores, a pleasant shade had fallen.

In this excerpt from the end of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men , the riverbank is a place of comfort for Lennie.

Sample Setting Descriptions

Community Q&A

• Keep a description journal to write descriptions of the places you visit or TV shows you watch to practice writing. [12] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• There aren’t any hard and fast to writing. Make your story unique and write it the way you want. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Be careful not to over-describe every detail or else your story may be too dense and bore your readers. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://writersedit.com/fiction-writing/use-all-five-senses-unlock-fictional-world/
• ↑ https://mythicscribes.com/writing-process/benefits-of-outlining/
• ↑ https://www.teachwriting.org/blog/2017/12/19/descriptive-writing-lesson-a-winter-setting
• ↑ https://www.rcboe.org/cms/lib010/GA01903614/Centricity/Domain/4395/Elements%20of%20a%20Story.pdf
• ↑ https://blog.reedsy.com/setting-of-a-story/
• ↑ https://writingcooperative.com/writing-tips-using-figurative-language-to-describe-setting-849e8f645ceb
• ↑ https://literarydevices.net/setting/
• ↑ https://quillbot.com/courses/introduction-to-creative-writing/chapter/lesson-3-elements-of-a-fiction/
• ↑ https://www.bryndonovan.com/2018/07/12/how-to-get-better-at-descriptive-writing-start-a-description-journal/

About This Article

To describe the setting in a story, use all 5 senses to help your readers imagine what you're describing. For example, if your story takes place at a beach, you could describe how the sand feels soft and the air tastes salty. However, try to stick with a few main details so you're not overwhelming your readers, and space your descriptions out throughout your story instead of cramming them into 1 long paragraph. If you need some inspiration, try visiting a location that's similar to your setting or looking up pictures online. For tips on how to use metaphors and similes to describe a setting, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Claudette Crow

May 8, 2020

Did this article help you?

Sep 27, 2017

Apr 16, 2017

James Fuentes

Apr 4, 2018

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

Description Techniques to Bring Settings to Life: A Guide for Writers

Joel Stevens

As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

Creating a vivid setting is essential to any story, whether it’s a novel, short story, or screenplay. A well-described setting can help readers fully immerse themselves in the story and bring the characters and plot to life. However, many writers struggle with how to effectively describe their settings without overwhelming or boring their readers. In this article, we will explore some description techniques that can help bring settings to life and make them an integral part of the story.

One of the most important aspects of describing a setting is to use sensory details. This means focusing on what the characters see, hear, smell, taste, and touch in their surroundings. By including sensory details, the reader can fully engage with the setting and feel as if they are there with the characters. For example, instead of simply saying a room is dark, the writer can describe the musty smell of old books , the creaking of floorboards, and the chill in the air that makes the character shiver.

Another technique for bringing settings to life is to use figurative language. This can include metaphors, similes, and personification to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind. For example, the writer can describe a forest as a “green cathedral” or a river as a “silver serpent.” Figurative language can help the reader understand the mood and tone of the story and create a more immersive reading experience. By using these techniques, authors can create settings that feel real and draw readers into the story.

Understanding Setting in Storytelling

Defining Setting and Its Importance

In storytelling, setting refers to the time, place, and environment in which a story takes place. It is an integral part of a story, as it helps to establish the mood, atmosphere, and tone of the narrative. The setting can also provide context for the characters and their actions, and can play a crucial role in the plot development.

A well-crafted setting can transport the reader to a different time and place, making them feel like they are part of the story. It can add depth and complexity to the narrative, and can help to create a sense of realism that draws the reader in. For these reasons, understanding the importance of setting is crucial for any storyteller.

Components of a Setting

A setting can be broken down into several components, including:

Time: This refers to the period in which the story takes place, such as the past, present, or future. It can also include specific dates or seasons.

Place: This refers to the physical location of the story, such as a city, country, or specific building or room.

Environment: This refers to the overall atmosphere and surroundings of the setting, including the weather, landscape, and cultural or social norms.

Culture: This refers to the beliefs, values, and customs of the people who inhabit the setting.

By carefully crafting each of these components, a storyteller can create a rich and immersive setting that brings their story to life . It is important to note that the setting should not overshadow the story itself, but rather enhance it and provide a backdrop for the characters and plot to unfold.

In conclusion, understanding the setting is crucial for any storyteller who wants to create a compelling and immersive narrative. By carefully crafting each component of the setting, a storyteller can transport their readers to a different time and place, and create a story that resonates with them long after they have finished reading.

Descriptive Writing Techniques

Descriptive writing is an essential skill for any writer looking to bring their settings to life. It’s the art of creating a vivid image in the reader’s mind by using sensory details, figurative language, and vivid details. In this section, we’ll explore some of the most effective descriptive writing techniques .

Using Sensory Details

Sensory details are one of the most powerful tools in a writer’s arsenal. By incorporating sensory details such as sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, you can create a more immersive experience for your readers. For example, instead of simply stating that a character is walking through a forest, you can describe the crunch of leaves underfoot, the smell of pine needles, and the sound of birds chirping.

Incorporating Figurative Language

Figurative language is another effective way to bring your settings to life. By using metaphors, similes, and other literary devices, you can create a more vivid and engaging description. For example, instead of saying that the sky is blue, you could say that it’s the color of a robin’s egg.

Leveraging Vivid Details

Vivid details are specific and concrete descriptions that help readers visualize a scene or character. By including vivid details, you can create a more immersive experience for your readers. For example, instead of saying that a character is wearing a red dress, you could describe the dress as “a scarlet silk gown that flowed like water.”

By using these descriptive writing techniques, you can create more engaging and immersive settings that will captivate your readers. Remember to be specific and concrete in your descriptions, and to use sensory details, figurative language, and vivid details to bring your settings to life.

Crafting a Sense of Place

Crafting a sense of place is a crucial aspect of bringing settings to life. It involves creating a vivid and detailed description of the setting that immerses the reader in the story’s world. Here are some techniques for crafting a sense of place that will help bring your settings to life.

Creating Atmosphere and Mood

The atmosphere and mood of a setting can significantly impact the story’s tone and the reader’s emotional response. To create a specific atmosphere and mood, writers can use various description techniques, such as:

Sensory Details: Use sensory details to evoke emotions and create a vivid image of the setting in the reader’s mind. For example, describing the smell of freshly baked bread in a kitchen can create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Figurative Language: Figurative languages, such as metaphors and similes, can create a unique atmosphere and mood. For example, describing a dark and ominous forest as a “black hole” creates a sense of danger and foreboding.

Establishing Time and Era

Establishing the time and era of a setting can help ground the reader in the story’s world. Writers can use various description techniques to establish the time and era, such as:

Historical Details: Historical details, such as clothing, architecture, and technology, can provide context and help establish the time and era.

Language and Dialogue: Using language and dialogue that is appropriate for the time and era can also help establish the setting. For example, using old-fashioned language and dialogue in a historical setting can help create a sense of authenticity.

Building Familiarity and Authenticity

Building familiarity and authenticity in a setting can make it feel more realistic and relatable to the reader. Writers can use various description techniques to build familiarity and authenticity, such as:

Specific Details: Using specific details, such as street names and landmarks, can make the setting feel more familiar to the reader.

Cultural Details: Including cultural details, such as food and customs, can help create a sense of authenticity and make the setting feel more realistic.

Crafting a sense of place is a crucial aspect of bringing settings to life. By using various description techniques, such as creating atmosphere and mood, establishing time and era, and building familiarity and authenticity, writers can create vivid and immersive settings that will captivate readers.

Character-Setting Interaction

One of the most effective ways to bring settings to life is through character-setting interaction. This technique involves using the setting to reflect the emotions, motivations, and actions of the characters, and using the characters to bring the setting to life.

Reflecting Character Emotions

One way to use character-setting interaction is to reflect the emotions of the characters through the setting. For example, if a character is feeling sad or lonely, the setting can be described in a way that reflects those emotions. This could include using dark, dreary imagery or describing the setting as empty and desolate.

Conversely, if a character is feeling happy or excited, the setting can be described in a way that reflects those emotions. This could include using bright, colorful imagery or describing the setting as bustling and lively.

Using Settings to Propel Plot

Another way to use character-setting interaction is to use the setting to propel the plot forward. This could involve using the setting to create a sense of urgency or motion, which can drive the action of the story.

For example, if the characters are in a race against time to stop a villain, the setting can be described in a way that emphasizes the urgency of the situation. This could include using short, choppy sentences or describing the setting as fast-paced and chaotic.

Overall, character-setting interaction is a powerful technique that can bring settings to life and enhance the emotional impact of a story. By using the setting to reflect the emotions of the characters and propel the plot forward, writers can create a more immersive and engaging reading experience.

Genre-Specific Settings

When it comes to writing, settings are an essential aspect of the narrative. They help to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. However, not all settings are created equal, and different genres require different approaches. In this section, we will explore how to bring genre-specific settings to life.

Fantasy and World-Building

Fantasy settings are often complex and require extensive world-building. The writer must create a believable and immersive world that the reader can get lost in. To achieve this, the writer should consider the following techniques:

Create a map: A map can help the reader visualize the world and its different regions. It can also help the writer keep track of the world and its different locations.

Invent a unique culture: The writer should create a unique culture with its own customs, traditions, and beliefs. This will help to make the world feel more real and immersive.

Use descriptive language: The writer should use descriptive language to create vivid imagery. This will help the reader to visualize the world and its different elements.

Historical and Cultural Accuracy

Historical and cultural accuracy is essential when writing about real-world settings. The writer must research the period and culture they are writing about to ensure accuracy. To achieve this, the writer should consider the following techniques:

Research the period: The writer should research the time period they are writing about to ensure accuracy. This includes researching the clothing, technology, and social norms of the time.

Research the culture: The writer should research the culture they are writing about to ensure accuracy. This includes researching the language, customs, and beliefs of the culture.

Use period-specific language: The writer should use language that is appropriate for the time they are writing about. This will help to create a more immersive and authentic experience for the reader.

In conclusion, genre-specific settings require different techniques to bring them to life. Fantasy settings require extensive world-building, while historical and cultural accuracy is essential when writing about real-world settings. By using descriptive language, creating unique cultures, and researching the time period and culture, the writer can create vivid and immersive settings that will captivate the reader.

Practical Exercises for Authors

Immersive setting descriptions.

One of the most important aspects of storytelling is creating immersive settings that transport readers into the world of the story. To achieve this, authors must use vivid and detailed descriptions that engage the reader’s senses. Here are a few practical exercises to help authors improve their setting descriptions:

Create a sensory map: Take a scene from your story and create a sensory map of the setting. List the different sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures that your characters would experience. Use this map to guide your descriptions and make them more immersive.

Use specific details: Instead of using generic descriptions, use specific details that create a unique sense of place. For example, instead of saying “the room was dark,” describe the “flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows on the walls.”

Show, don’t tell: Avoid simply telling the reader what the setting looks like. Instead, show them through the characters’ interactions with the environment. For example, instead of saying “the forest was dense,” describe how “the branches of the trees intertwined overhead, blocking out the sunlight and creating a sense of claustrophobia.”

Editing for Tone and Mood

In addition to creating immersive settings, authors must also consider the tone and mood of their descriptions. The tone and mood should match the overall feel of the story and contribute to the reader’s emotional experience. Here are a few practical exercises to help authors edit their setting descriptions for tone and mood:

Consider the story’s genre: Different genres have different expectations for tone and mood. For example, a horror story will have a darker and more ominous tone than a romance novel. Make sure your setting descriptions match the genre of your story.

Use sensory language to convey emotion: Use sensory language to create an emotional response in the reader. For example, instead of saying “the sky was blue,” describe how “the bright blue sky filled her with a sense of hope and possibility.”

Use touch to convey emotion: Touch is a powerful tool for conveying emotion. Use tactile descriptions to create a physical connection between the reader and the setting. For example, instead of saying “the ground was hard,” describe how “the hard ground sent a shock of pain up her spine.”

By using these practical exercises, authors can create more immersive and emotionally impactful setting descriptions that bring their stories to life.

About the author

Latest Posts

Achieving Your Word Count Goals with Daily Sprints: A Guide

Many writers struggle with meeting their word count goals, whether it’s for a school assignment, a blog post, or a novel. It can be frustrating to stare at a blank page or screen and feel like you’re not making progress. However, there is a technique that can help you achieve your word count goals and…

Beat Burnout: Setting Reasonable Writing Expectations

Writing can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience, but it can also be exhausting and draining. Writing burnout is a real phenomenon that can affect anyone, from professional writers to students. When writers push themselves too hard, they can experience stress, lack of motivation, and even physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue. To avoid burnout,…

Dealing with Criticism and Rejection as an Author: Tips and Strategies

As an author, receiving criticism and rejection is an inevitable part of the writing process. It can be difficult to navigate the emotions that come with having your work scrutinized, but it’s important to remember that criticism and rejection are not personal attacks. Instead, they are opportunities for growth and improvement. One way to deal…

Set the Stage: How to Write a Setting

You have an incredible story in your head, filled with a cast of unique, memorable characters. Heck, you’ve even built up some cool history, maybe even your own language. Now, as you prepare  to bring this great book to life and write your first scene, you find that you’re puppeting these awesome characters against a blank background. Or maybe a boring background… but is there a difference?

My friend, you need to write a setting worthy of your story.

Writing a setting isn’t as easy as it sounds, though, and great settings are criminally underrated. But that’s why we’re here, right? To write better settings for our characters .

In this article, you’re going to learn all about writing great settings, including:

• What the heck a setting is
• Why settings are important
• How to describe a setting for your readers
• How to create a fictional setting
• How to research real-world settings

Ready. Setting. Go.

Goodness, that was bad.

What is a Setting?

Before we can go any further, let’s establish the basics. What is a setting?

Most people think a setting is simply where a part of your story takes place. This is only partially correct, but it gives us a good start. More accurately, setting is where the action in your story takes place.

But the where is a lot more complex than you might think. It isn’t just the geography of the scene.

The setting of a scene includes:

• Landscape/location
• Climate and weather
• Politics and religion
• Time of day
• Time in history or the future
• Societal norms, rules, and laws
• Speech, languages , and communication styles
• Flora and fauna
• Magic and technology

Honestly, the list could go on. What I want to impress upon you is how much goes into a setting.

Think of it this way: your current scene’s setting is just a piece of your overall worldbuilding. And the world you’ve built—whether you are writing about gnomes in an epic fantasy or a love-scorned CEO in a real-world city—is much more than just geography.

Why is Setting Important?

If you’re already feeling excited about writing better settings, I don’t blame you. But maybe you’re wondering why settings are important in the first place.

Settings aren’t just important for fantasy and sci-fi stories. It doesn’t matter if your scene is taking place in the Shire or Manhattan; setting is important for all stories. Don’t worry, I’ll let you in on the secrets.

Setting helps bring your story to life - As authors, we rely a lot on our reader’s imagination to make our text real. So do them a favor by creating detailed settings that make your story that much better.

Setting puts the scene in context - Someone reciting religious scripture will be viewed differently in a church than outside a tyrannical queen’s palace. Likewise, someone wielding a weapon will be treated differently on a battlefield than in a mall. An effective setting helps put the actions of your characters into context.

Immersed readers are emotional readers - The more you plunge your readers into the depths of your story, the more of a reaction you will elicit. A good setting adds depth to your writing and immerses your reader… so you can mess with them even more.

Setting can provide opportunities for character development - Throughout your book, there will be plenty of things that push your characters forward, forcing them to adapt and change. This includes other characters, conflicts, and—you guessed it—the setting. As you’ll find out in the next section, a good setting is a powerful tool for your plot and characters.

What Makes a Good Setting?

I’m going to get a little abstract with this question (don’t worry, tips for writing a setting are coming right up), because “what makes a good setting?” isn’t as clear as you might think.

If you were to instead ask “what makes an okay setting?” then I would tell you that it’s whatever background you make that adds some depth.

But we don’t want an “okay” setting. Heck, we don’t even want a good setting. No, we want an amazing setting. And for that, you only need two things:

1. An amazing setting serves the plot. Why is your scene set where it is? How does it affect the action occuring there? What impact does it have on things that happen once this scene is finished? What does it show the readers about your world and your story?

2. An amazing setting influences your character. This influence can be positive or negative. How are your characters affected by the setting? Does it fill them with confidence or dread? What does it remind them of? How can they use it to get what they want–or how can it be used against them?

See? Abstract. But you need to keep these things in mind when crafting your setting. Unless you’re okay with boring. But, since you’re here, I assume that’s not the case.

Now, let’s get into those tips I promised you.

8 Tips to Describe Your Setting

Let’s get down to business. Time for some real, actionable tips to use in your writing.

1. Show, don’t tell. This is advice for your writing in general but is extra important for writing a setting. Use active writing . Add some dynamism into your prose. Rather than “She saw a waterfall,” use “Untold gallons of water plummeted from forty feet above her, slamming into the rocks below.” Instead of “He could smell the sea from here,” try “The waves crashed against the docks, filling the air with a fresh, salty mist.”

2. Don’t be so literal. Be creative in how you share the setting with your reader. They aren’t stalagmites, they’re the stony fangs looming above. It’s not just tense in the city, but a blanket of animosity smothers the few residents out on the streets. Just don’t go overboard. There’s nothing worse than a book so dense with description that you have to wade through it.

3. Convey a mood. Remember, your setting does more than just provide a backdrop to your stage. Use the setting to establish a mood for both your reader and your characters in the scene.

4. Share the basics. While setting is more than just location and geography, it’s still location and geography. Don’t get so caught up in the theatrics that you forget to let your reader know where they are.

5. Then share the rest. But once that location or geography is shared, start giving them more details. Build the scene bit by bit until it’s unforgettable.

6. Don’t info dump. Again, a good rule of thumb for all writing but a biggie here. Since I’ve told you of all these great things you should include in your setting, it’s tempting to write three pages describing what the place looks like, the geopolitical climate, the storm encroaching from the south, and every other detail you can think of. Drip feed this information throughout the scene instead–especially everything considered “the rest” in the previous tip.

7. Use more than just sight. Maybe I’m biased from binging See on Apple TV+, but many writers are too reliant on sight for their descriptions. Sure, sight is the dominant way in which most of us take in the world, but you have the ability to use all five senses. So choose a couple and use those to set the scene.

8. Don’t forget about your characters. Remember, the setting isn’t just a setting. It has purpose. Keep this in mind when you’re creating the setting for each scene.

How to Create a Fictional Setting

Now that you have all those pointers, how do you go about creating a fictional setting?

Like I said before, each setting your characters find themselves in is just a sliver of the bigger world you’ve built. So step one of creating a fictional setting is to create your fictional world. 

You can spend hours, days, even months creating a fictional world to pull your settings from, depending on how complex you want that world to be.

When it comes to picking apart that world and making your setting, refer to the tips we just covered. Add details that need to be added as you go from a macro view of your world to the micro view of your scene.

And as you’re planning that scene, try and limit yourself a little. You dumped all the creativity you have into worldbuilding, but not every detail needs to be included in a setting. Remember that the setting serves the plot and characters. So don’t spend too much time creating details in your setting that are irrelevant to either of those.

For the visually inclined, go ahead and draw a map or sketch of your setting. It can really help get the mood and finer points right. As you’re drawing, think about how senses other than sight can be used.

And if you’re a pantser, at least take a moment to consider the setting you’re going to write. Yes, you can do all the exploratory writing you want, but remember what we covered before: amazing settings are written with purpose.

So figure out the purpose of your setting before that first word.

How to Research a Real World Setting

If writing in the real world is more your style, then research will be your best friend. If your setting is a place that other human beings can visit or live in, your readers will shred you if you mess things up.

Luckily, there are a few ways to help you research real world settings.

Visit the location if possible - This is obviously easier if the prospective setting is only an hour or two away via a car or public transit, but visiting the location is the best way to take in the details. Remember all your senses, how it makes you feel, what questions the location makes you ask, how the people act. Take photos. Record videos. Use a voice note app and rant about everything .

Visit the location virtually - There is no shortage of information available for basically any place visited by human beings. Wikipedia, Google Maps, travel blogs, YouTube channels, tourism websites, and so much more. Remember to look for details beyond sight. This is less reliable than physically visiting the location but far from impossible. 

Take notes - At the risk of sounding like a broken record, note down everything about the scene. This could include:

• What do you see? Hear? Smell? Taste? Feel?
• What are the vibes of the setting?
• How would the setting change if it was night instead of day?
• What can this setting contribute to my plot?
• How can this setting affect my characters?
• What are the people like?
• What history went into creating this place?
• What future developments are going to change it?

Write a Great Setting in Dabble

I bet you didn’t think writing a strong setting took so much work, did you? You don’t have to follow all the steps and tips in this blog if you just want an okay setting, and there’s nothing wrong with some settings being just that.

But awesome settings require work. Luckily, Dabble is here to make that work–and your writing–easier.

In Dabble, you have a whole folder dedicated to your worldbuilding notes that is always just a click away from your manuscript. You can even link within your notes by typing @ and choosing the setting outline you want to link to, so you can reference all the work you’ve put into crafting your setting without opening new documents, searching through your computer, or wasting paper to print it.

The best part? You can get started with Dabble right away with a free 14-day subscription. We don’t even ask for your credit card. Click here to try Dabble and create some memorable settings.

Happy writing!

Doug Landsborough can’t get enough of writing. Whether freelancing as an editor, blog writer, or ghostwriter, Doug is a big fan of the power of words. In his spare time, he writes about monsters, angels, and demons under the name D. William Landsborough. When not obsessing about sympathetic villains and wondrous magic, Doug enjoys board games, horror movies, and spending time with his wife, Sarah.

SHARE THIS:

TAKE A BREAK FROM WRITING...

Read. learn. create..

Whether you're trying to learn the craft of writing or find your way in the publishing business, it always helps to study those who have gone before. Here's how to do an author study that will inspire your own journey.

Kinda wish you didn't have to choose between genres when you write your next novel? Maybe you don't have to! Get to know hybrid genres and what it takes to write a great cross-genre story.

No matter how much we want to ignore it, successful authors need a website. But there's more to a good author website than just throwing up a few nice words and pictures of your book. If you do it right, it could be your most powerful marketing tool.

Story setting ideas: 6 effective setting examples and tips

The best book setting ideas are effective. In a novel where the author performs careful worldbuilding, the story setting enriches plot events with atmosphere and mood; context and contrast. Here are 6 story setting examples and tips we can gather from reading them

• Post author By Jordan
• 8 Comments on Story setting ideas: 6 effective setting examples and tips

The best book setting ideas are highly effective.

Setting is a literary device where a writer establishes a time frame, location and the environment of a story.

In a novel where the author performs careful worldbuilding, the story setting enriches plot events with atmosphere and mood; context and contrast. Here are 6 story setting examples and tips we can gather from reading them:

1. Give your story setting detail

A magical ‘elsewhere’ is one of the key ingredients of many fantasy novels, particularly in portal fantasies where characters travel between our ordinary world and a world of magical landscapes and creatures.

One of the reasons why children (and adults) around the world fell in love with J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter  series is the depth and intricacy of Rowling’s settings. Rowling’s world is one of stark contrasts, from Harry’s aunt and uncle’s ordinary and oppressive suburban home to the towering spires of the series’ school of magic, Hogwarts.

Like Rowling, give your setting detail when writing a novel .

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a character in itself. Portraits of prior staff hanging in corridors are animated and talk. Stairways move by enchantment. Even the ceiling design of the school’s dining hall changes according to school events and seasons.

Further, Rowling is smart because she gradually reveals details of Hogwarts’ many additional rooms and secrets over the course of the series. Setting drives plot, truly.

There is thus setting development as the reader moves deeper into her fictional world.

As you plan and create your setting [a section of Now Novel’s idea finding tool is devoted to this – try it ], think about how you can expand your characters’ environment as the story unfolds. For example, if you’re writing a novel set in a real-world city, think about how a plot development might take a primary character to a region of the city they’ve never frequented. This expansive approach to setting helps to prevent a static, unchanging and ultimately boring setting. It’s also worth considering the historical period of your novel, and seeing how that might contribute to shaping your characters’ behaviors and experiences. Look too at the social setting, which refers to the social environment of a story, how and where the characters live, and their relationships. A temporal setting, by contrast refers to the historical period and the cultural and political struggles of that time, for example, the Vietnam War, or the Cold War.

2. Learn from vivid story setting examples

The Victorian author Charles Dickens was a master at  crafting believable, mood-filled settings . Dickens’ London is almost a character in itself in novels such as Great Expectations  (1861) and Nicholas Nickleby  (1861). In this setting description example from Oliver Twist (1838), Dickens creates a journey into the bustling heart of 19th century London:

The public-houses, with gas-lights burning inside, were already open. By degrees, other shops began to be unclosed, and a few scattered people were met with. Then, came straggling groups of labourers going to their work; then, men and women with fish-baskets on their heads; donkey-carts laden with vegetables; chaise-carts filled with livestock or whole carcasses of meat; milk-women with pails; an unbroken concourse of people trudging out with various supplies to the eastern suburbs of the town. As they approached the City, the noise and traffic gradually increased; when they threaded the streets between Shoreditch and Smithfield, it had swelled into a roar of sound and bustle.

In just a few lines, Dickens conveys the passage from city outskirts to inner city and the multitude and variety of inhabitants you would find in this place, at this time. If you’re setting your novel in a real city, whether now or in the past, find novels set in the same area and examine how other authors have conveyed place successfully.

Brainstorm and Organize Story Settings

Brainstorm vivid story settings in the Now Novel dashboard and get feedback from your writing community.

3. Make setting actively contribute to your plot

A great setting plays its own part in a story’s events. Lovers meet by chance on the underground, brought together by a city’s transport infrastructure. In a fantasy novel , impassable terrain tests the ingenuity and resolve of a band of adventurers.

Tolkien’s Middle Earth from the Lord of the Rings cycle is an excellent example of ‘active’, effective setting and worldbuilding. The further Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring pass from the Hobbit’s home territory, The Shire, the more danger they encounter in the landscape.

For example, when the band attempts to cross the Misty Mountains in their travels towards Mordor, their progress is impeded by heavy snowfall and they are attacked by mountain dwelling ‘wargs’. This forces them to go through an underground pass (the Mines of Moria), itself fraught with danger and environmental obstacles.

Even if your novel is not fantasy, your story setting can help to carve out a path for characters.

A character living in the countryside who moves to the city (or vice versa) will encounter new challenges, from different mindsets and ways of life to changed economic and other circumstances.

4. Show the effects of time on setting

Time is a vital component of story setting. Dickens’ Victorian London is wholly different from the London we find today, no longer populated by countless hawkers and horse-drawn carts. Tweet This

Showing how your setting changes over time adds a sense of history and evolution to your story.

In his novel Brideshead Revisited  (1945), Evelyn Waugh creates a strong sense of history through setting. Looking at the time period here, hee shows his protagonist Charles Ryder visit his friend’s family mansion before and after World War II. The once-grand building has been damaged and acquires a ghostly, nostalgic character as time and historical events change it completely.

If your story spans multiple months, years or even decades, think about how time might impact setting:

• Will familiar locations – shops and bars, for example – expand, move or close down?
• In a city setting, is the city in growth or decline? Are new places opening or are buildings being boarded up and abandoned?

This setting element is especially important when writing fiction set in a real time and place – read up about the conditions of the time and make your setting show these conditions. For example, if writing about the post-war recession in the 20th century, show, via setting, the effects of time and change on your characters’ surrounds.

5. Use setting symbolically

Besides giving context and a backdrop for your story’s action, setting also supplies symbols. For example, the abandoned house in horror fiction is a setting symbolizing disappearance. We associate a house with habitation, thus there is an implicit, suspenseful ‘missing’ in horror’s abandoned homes. This is an integral setting, that is vital to the setting of such a story. It sets the scene for alternate habitations – poltergeists, deranged killers and other ‘unhomely’, ominous figures.

In C.S. Lewis’ fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia , Lewis’ setting is rich with symbolism. In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950), the central characters discover a hidden fantasy world presided over by the ‘White Witch’, Narnia’s self-proclaimed queen. It is always winter in Narnia due to the White Witch having cast a spell over the land.

This static time setting is symbolic of the tyranny of the White Witch’s rule, the harshness and limited freedoms she imposes on her animal subjects. The perpetual winter also symbolises the suspension of the usual order of cyclical death and rebirth implicit in seasonal change from winter to summer and back. This element thus supplies some of the tension of the novel as Narnia waits for the chance to resume life’s usual cycles.

When crafting your novel’s setting, think about what time of day and place or physical location in your story symbolize. In Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings cycle, for example, each geographical area has its own landscape reflecting, in part, the character of its inhabitants. The peace-loving Hobbits’ Shire is all green, rolling hills, while the villain’s homeland Mordor is full of sulphur pits and jagged mountain ranges.

6. Use the five senses to deepen setting description

A vivid scene includes more than a visual sense of setting alone. Other details – the smell, feel and sound of a place – are equally important. These are all part of the ‘backdrop setting’ of the story, so that your readers get a sense of the place where your story is set. 

When describing a place in fiction, think about the sounds, smells and other sense details that distinguish it from others. Here is Dickens describing the industrial city of Coketown, for example, in Hard Times (1854):

It was a town of red brick, or of brick that would have been red if the smoke and ashes had allowed it; but as matters stood, it was a town of unnatural red and black … It had a black canal in it, and a river that ran purple with ill-smelling dye, and vast piles of building full of windows where there was a rattling and a trembling all day long, and where the piston of the steam-engine worked monotonously up and down, like the head of an elephant in a state of melancholy madness.

In addition to visual description, Dickens includes smell (the river pollution) and the ‘monotonous’ sounds of industry. In sum, the description conjures a vivid mental image of the town. Dickens also shows how the industrial activities that take place in his setting alter it. Setting and action affect each other.

Create a novel in easy, simple steps using our tools and resources and get helpful feedback on your own setting descriptions.

Related Posts:

• Story setting ideas: 7 tips to immerse readers
• Vivid story setting description: Examples and insights
• How to describe setting: 6 ways to bring setting to life
• Tags setting , setting examples , worldbuilding

Jordan is a writer, editor, community manager and product developer. He received his BA Honours in English Literature and his undergraduate in English Literature and Music from the University of Cape Town.

8 replies on “Story setting ideas: 6 effective setting examples and tips”

Wonderful examples and well written. I found this very useful.

Thanks, Kimberly! Thank you for reading our blog, I’m glad you’ve found it useful.

Wow!!!!! Great Examples over there!!!

Thank you, thanks for reading our blog!

I could make better examples in my sleep. while eating ice cream.

Hi Bongo, thanks for your feedback. I’m impressed you have such cognitive capacity in your sleep. Please share the examples you’ve created (and what flavor ice cream you were eating). But please be careful that you don’t choke.

im a female age 20 im only 20 miles away. and im lonely.

This is a good example of a weak story setting, ‘meggnutt’. Spam comments of a lascivious nature could have much more interesting implied settings than ‘near you’ or ‘only 20 miles away’. Why not something more creative, interesting, enticing than the go-to obviousness of convenience that appeals to the lowest common denominator?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Pin It on Pinterest

Using sensory language for describing settings

by NikkiYoungAuthor | Apr 14, 2020

When we describe settings in our writing, it’s important to consider not only what you can see, but to use all your senses to give a full description of the sounds, scents, textures and even how it makes you feel.

Young Writer , Isobel, is here to give you the full lowdown on how it’s done. Notice how she takes you through, step by step, building from one simple sentence to a whole paragraph of descriptive writing to describe settings.

Over to you, Isobel…

So, you want to describe something. Great! Let’s just assume, for simplicity’s sake, you already have a picture or something you can describe it from.

Take this image here. Now, how do you describe this setting? The obvious thing is to start with what you can see.

The forest was dark and misty. The trees were bare and the moon was bright.

Even from just that small sentence, you can already see the problem. A brilliant way to improve any description is to add some sensory language . This means adding words or adjectives to show not just what you can see, but what you can feel, smell, taste and hear.

The forest was dark and misty, cold and silent. The bare trees were damp and the moonlight was bright.

You can feel the difference in them, can’t you? Using sensory language can really help to convey mood and setting, as well as the overall feeling of a scene. Now, let’s add some more description with an embedded clause .

The forest was dark and misty, cold and silent. The bare trees, branches thin and spindly, were damp and the moonlight was bright.

Fourthly, let’s add some imagery . We’re going to use a simile (saying something is like something else) and a metaphor (saying something is something else). In the passage, we’re also going to use some personification (saying something inanimate is doing something like a living thing).

The forest was as dark as coal and misty, cold and silent. The bare trees, branches thin and spindly, loose threads, were damp and the moonlight danced between them.

Let’s add a few more sentences using everything we’ve done so far to make them super descriptive.

The forest was as dark as coal and misty, cold and silent. The bare trees, branches thin and spindly, loose threads, were damp and the moonlight danced between them. The air was still and eerie, like the surface of a lake at midnight. The night sky was cloudy, blanketed in a thick layer of ashy fog. The dead leaves on the ground crunched underfoot. The beam of my flashlight sputtered out, last breath leaving it, and I was left in darkness.

But we aren’t done. Every sentence in the paragraph above begins with “the”, and it isn’t very exciting to read. So we’re going to use some different styles of sentence openers, such as Ing-Words, Imagery, Prepositions and Timephrases.

Around me, the forest was dark as coal and misty, cold and silent. Reaching up, the bare trees, branches thin and spindly, loose threads, were damp and the moonlight danced between them. Like the surface of a lake at midnight, the air was still and eerie and blanketed in a thick layer of ashy fog, the night sky was cloudy. As I walked, the dead leaves on the ground crunched underfoot. Sputtering out, my flashlight took its final breath, and I was left in darkness.

So, we’ve come from two short and relatively uninteresting sentences to a paragraph chock-full of language techniques, dynamic sentence starters and immersive sensory imagery.

For more writing exercises, see the Storymakers blog .

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Submit Comment

Recent Posts

• How to encourage your children to read more
• Writing Club for Teens and Tweens
• 11+ Revision and Story Writing
• 5 ways to get kids writing for fun
• Descriptive writing in easy steps

Search this blog

Categories on this blog.

Privacy Policy

Nikki Young

• Misogyny is rife on social media
• Is it time for a smartphone detox?
• Attainment Scores at Primary Level

NEW VIDEO COURSE 🎉

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months . Learn more →

✍️ Setting Writing Exercises

Curated with love by Reedsy

We found 11 setting exercises that match your search 🔦 reset

Write a description of the room you are in from the point-of-view of a character in your work-in-progress. If the character is from another time or place, so much the better. What would the character notice first? What would she find odd? What would she love about the room? What would she dislike? Go beyond describing the physical space and capture her attitude about what she sees. Let her be snarky or wax poetical. Whatever captures her emotions about the space.

Mood Swings

I recommend starting this exercise with a travel magazine packed with lots of interesting photos. Select an image that appeals to you. Now, write a short scene from the viewpoint of a character who has just arrived at this location and is seeing it for the first time. Describe the setting through the character's eyes, paying particular attention to the mood that this image evokes in you. Evoke this mood in your readers through the reactions of the character - look for sensory images!Now, write a second scene, with the same or a different character - and evoke just the OPPOSITE mood. If your castle seemed tranquil and romantic, set a scene in which the mood is menacing or sorrowful. If the image of that tropical beach made you feel relaxed and happy, create a scene in which, instead, it is causing your character to feel angry or anxious. Again, look for sensory details and impressions that will convince your reader and evoke that same mood through your words - regardless of what mood the picture alone might have evoked!

From The Ground Up

Choose a place you've never been to. (If you have a map, you can close your eyes and pick a random spot for an extra challenge!) Do some research and try to learn everything you can about that location and make it the setting for the next scene you write. Try to include as many details as possible to make it seem like you've actually been there. For example, what does it smell like? What kind of people would you see there? What is the climate like?

NEW VIDEO COURSE

Your story matters. Unlock your potential with daily video lessons from bestselling ghostwriter Tom Bromley, and finish your first draft in just 3 months. Learn more →

Establishing The Background

Think of some information your readers will need to learn to understand the story. This could be technical information or character backstory. Now write an argument between two characters in which you use conflict to share this information.

The Art of Description

• A market in the South of France
• A teenage bedroom
• A hairdresser's salon
• The souk in Marrakesh
• A stately home

Describe Your Surroundings

We've all read about the grey autumn day, the crisp spring morning, the dewey summer evening. Flex your descriptive muscles by spending some time writing about your surroundings. Look for new, interesting, evocative ways to explain the world around you. For instance, instead of writing, "a breeze blew in through the open window, try, "papers fluttered in the gust that swept in through the window, throwing dust into the air like confetti."

Consider the World View

When describing your setting, consider who's looking at it as well as what they see. For example, an ex-con is likely to view (and describe) a restaurant hosting a police officer's retirement party differently than the daughter of the retiring officer. Take the point-of-view-character's world view and personal judgment into consideration. What details would they specifically notice? How would they feel about what they see? What emotions or thoughts might those details trigger? This allows you to craft richer settings that reflect both the character, and the world they live in.

Find the perfect editor for your next book

Over 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

We made a writing app for you

Yes, you! Write. Format. Export for ebook and print. 100% free, always.

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

Setting and Description

Focus on the critical skills of setting and description in this reading- and exercise-based workshop designed to improve your technique in fiction and nonfiction

What you can learn.

• Learn how setting and description can support larger themes and ideas in your work
• Practice giving attention to details that help you craft a rich and vivid world
• Read and discuss examples of effective, evocative writing
• Complete exercises that help you master descriptive writing techniques

About this course:

Summer 2024 schedule.

No meeting July 17. 

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PUBLIC SYLLABUS FOR THIS COURSE.

Corporate Education

Learn how we can help your organization meet its professional development goals and corporate training needs.

Donate to UCLA Extension

Support our many efforts to reach communities in need.

Innovation Programs

Student Scholarships

Coding Boot Camp

Lifelong Learning

• Accounting & Taxation
• Architecture & Interior Design
• Business & Management
• Design & Arts
• Digital Technology
• Engineering
• Entertainment
• Environmental Studies & Public Policy
• Finance & Investments
• Health Care & Counseling
• Humanities & Social Sciences
• Landscape Architecture & Horticulture
• Legal Programs
• Osher (OLLI)
• Real Estate
• Sciences & Math
• Writing & Journalism
• Specializations
• Online Courses
• Transfer Credit Courses
• Conferences & Boot Camps
• Custom Programs & Corporate Education
• Instruction Methods
• Environmental Studies
• Accounting Fundamentals
• Business and Management of Entertainment
• College Counseling
• Data Science
• Digital Marketing
• Feature Film Writing
• Human Resources Management
• Marketing with Concentration in Digital Marketing
• Personal Financial Planning
• Project Management
• Sustainability
• User Experience
• Payment Options
• How to Purchase Parking
• Enrollment Conditions
• Concurrent and Cross-Enrollment Programs
• Bruin ID Cards
• UCLA Recreation
• Course Drops, Transfers, and Withdrawals
• Accessibility & Disability Services
• Textbooks & Libraries
• Financial Aid
• Scholarships
• Military & Veterans Benefits
• Tuition Discounts
• Tax Advantages
• Grading Scale
• Credit Options
• Course Numbers
• Transcripts and Enrollment Confirmation
• Receiving Your Academic Credentials
• Instructors & Staff
• Parking & Lodging
• Keynote Speaker
• Career Resources
• Alumni Benefits
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Career Services
• Featured Jobs
• Browse Certificate Programs
• Certificate vs. Master’s Degrees
• Dates and Fees
• How to Apply
• Academic Requirements
• OPT, CPT, and Internships
• Upon Completing Your Certificate
• Hummel Scholarship
• Program Details
• Online International Programs
• International Student Services Office
• New Student Orientation
• Maintaining Your F-1 Visa
• Health Insurance
• Academic Advising
• Frequently Asked Questions
• UCLA Campus Amenities & Activities
• Daily Needs
• Public Transportation
• Request a Proposal
• Board of Advisors
• Instructors
• Join Our Team
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Accreditation
• Student Home
• Canvas Log In
• Student Log In
• Instructor Log In

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience, including personalizing content and to store your content preferences. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy .

Never struggle with Show-and-Tell again. Activate your free trial or subscribe to view the Setting Thesaurus in its entirety, or visit the Table of Contents to explore unlocked entries.

HELPFUL TIP:

Textures and sensations:, possible sources of conflict:, people commonly found in this setting:, setting notes and tips:, related settings that may tie in with this one:, setting description example:, techniques and devices used:, descriptive effects:.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

Setting Description Entry: Bedrooms

October 4, 2008 by BECCA PUGLISI

bed, night stand, dresser, armoire, make-up table, desk and chair, picture frame, window, closet, mirror, bookshelf, clothes hamper, wastebasket, wall shelves, phone, lamp, computer, notepads, books, rug, curtains, shade/blinds…

female: frilly, flowery, lacy, soft, pink/purple/yellow, hearts, stuffed animals, make-up/hair products, perfume, decorative pillows, canopy bed, diary, fuzzy-topped pencils, nail polish, bracelets, bangles, earrings…

male: sports memorabilia, geometric, spartan, darker colors, rumpled bedsheets, clothes on the floor, messy, dusty, CD collection, posters of girls (beach babes, film stars, Army, Action movies), toy guns, airsoft guns, action figures…

Music blaring, murmur of TV or talking on the phone, laughter, tick of a clock, radio alarm, click of computer keys while IMing, cat or dog scratching to get in, trill of a cell phone, squeaky bed spring, whispering, outdoor sounds leaking in through…

Perfume, hairspray, nail polish, model glue, body spray, deodorant, clean linen, sweat, rotting food, bubblegum, fabric softener, dust, wet towels, a whiff of dinner cooking in the kitchen, a spicy cheese smell from an open bag…

Bubblegum, the bitter taste of hairspray, breath mints, peanut butter and jam sandwich on a plate, a banana, granola bar, sugary pop, water…

silky, clean sheets, the unwelcoming hardness of pressing the alarm button, cool, smooth desktop, fuzzy sweaters, itchy sweaters, slippery t shirts, rough Cotton jeans, cool walls, soft, sinkable bead, balling up paper, tossing it into a garbage bin…

Helpful hints:

–The words you choose can convey atmosphere and mood.

Example 1:  When I could put it off no more, I tiptoed into Great Aunt BeeBee’s room. The floor was cold and gritty, dust and crumbs and who knows what else clinging to my bare feet. My only light came from a slit between the sagging curtains at the window, the feeble brightness barely enough for me to make out anything. I crept closer, trying to not gag on the smell of sweat and sickness. On the floor beside the bed I could just make out a twisted lump of blankets, but I couldn’t get up the courage to touch it. Please don’t be dead, I thought. I strained my ears for the sound of her rusty breath, and again remembered the sickening thump that had woken me…

–Similes and metaphors create strong imagery when used sparingly.

Example 1: (Simile)  I followed on Anna’s heels, catching the bedroom door seconds before it could slam in my face. Enraged, I sucked in a deep breath and pushed the door wide. My words curdled into nothing at the mess greeting me–clothes, text books and muddy shoes lay across the floor in knotted clumps, pages from a teen magazine peppered the walls and CDs marched across the unmade bed like a ticker tape parade…

Think beyond what a character sees, and provide a sensory feast for readers

Setting is much more than just a backdrop, which is why choosing the right one and describing it well is so important. To help with this, we have expanded and integrated this thesaurus into our online library at One Stop For Writers . Each entry has been enhanced to include possible sources of conflict , people commonly found in these locales , and setting-specific notes and tips , and the collection itself has been augmented to include a whopping 230 entries—all of which have been cross-referenced with our other thesauruses for easy searchability. So if you’re interested in seeing a free sample of this powerful Setting Thesaurus, head on over and register at One Stop.

On the other hand, if you prefer your references in book form, we’ve got you covered, too. The Urban Setting Thesaurus and The Rural Setting Thesaurus are available for purchase in digital and print copies. In addition to the entries, each book contains instructional front matter to help you maximize your settings. With advice on topics like making your setting do double duty and using figurative language to bring them to life, these books offer ample information to help you maximize your settings and write them effectively.

Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via One Stop For Writers —a powerhouse online library created to help writers elevate their storytelling.

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)

Reader Interactions

April 16, 2015 at 8:35 pm

I’m not sure if I missed it or if its somewhere else on the website, but I’m looking for descriptive ideas for explaining the noises of a house at night. Specifically those, sort of, tinkling sounds of the materials expanding and contracting with the temperature. Any thoughts or directions on this would be hugely appreciated!!! 🙂

April 17, 2015 at 11:11 am

Hi, Elizabeth. We don’t have a thesaurus for noises, but you should be able to find many house sounds by looking at the different house-related entries in The Setting Thesaurus: attic, basement, bathroom, bedroom, etc. Each entry has a SOUNDS field; by looking through those entries, you might find the sounds that you’re looking for. Best of luck!

December 3, 2018 at 7:04 pm

i know its a little late but descriptives for what your looking for would be EX: hrough a window I could hear the risings and fallings of a conversation being held on a porch near the corner, chatting and yapping and playing and shrieking; a car passed on the street the creaking, the sea noises, and the night birds outside. or I was surrounded by the musty, oily, salty smell of the ship and the ocean, and realized how sharp one’s senses become in the dark. Every place has its own scent, a peculiar mixture of organic growth and human industry, of must, paint, wood and vermin.

July 19, 2014 at 10:50 pm

I hadn’t seen these entries yet! Now I REALLY want a setting set of books…. 😀

July 21, 2014 at 1:32 pm

You’re in luck, Kimbra! We’re working on the first draft of the Settings Thesaurus right now. No firm publication date yet, but we’ll place periodic updates here at the blog. You could also sign up for our free newsletter (link below), which will bring notifications about our upcoming books and other info right to your inbox :).

https://writershelpingwriters.net/newsletter-archive/

June 22, 2011 at 5:17 pm

It is possible we would, but if so it would be when (and if) we put the Setting Thesaurus into a book version. 🙂 So glad this is helpful to you! 🙂

June 22, 2011 at 11:33 am

I love your blog, thank you for pointing out the little things that go unobserved but are a great importance to each and everyone of our stories! By any chance would you be writing any of these for different time periods? Either way, thank you for the inspiration!

October 6, 2008 at 9:06 pm

Brilliant! This could actually double, somewhat, for a hotel room (with a few minor tweeks and add ons….smell…blech). Anyways, great stuff! Thanks for the inspiration!!

October 6, 2008 at 8:40 am

Boy do I know about bedrooms! My room was ALWAYS such a total and complete mess that my dad put a sign on my door that read, “Danger Disaster Area Three Feet Deep.” It remained on my door for many years.

October 5, 2008 at 11:10 am

*Gives some warm milk to PJ*

Thanks for coming over Rachel–we’re glad you found us!

October 5, 2008 at 12:02 am

Hey, wandered over from AW and poked around! These thesaurus posts are incredible. What a fantastic resource.

October 4, 2008 at 10:28 pm

I’m sleepy just reading it! Love this! Thanks!

October 4, 2008 at 11:46 am

I like the interior design mags too. I think it’s because I have a hard time imagining the potential of a room without some visual aids. I’m currently looking into remodling my kitchen, and my head reels at all the options and choices there are! Becca must be much better at this than I (and I wish she lived closer!) because she recently did a big reno in her new home.

Gutsywriter, one of the best things about this blog (and all online writing groups) is the ability to learn together. Becca and I have had such a great experience by pairing up and working through our writing woes, it was something we wanted to share on a bigger basis.

Each time we do an entry, we learn as we go, flexing the imaginative muscle to come up with descriptions and emotional actions that feel real.

October 4, 2008 at 10:49 am

Thanks for helping us again and again in our writing. It must take you a long time to put together your postings. A lesson plan in itself. I still have your emotional thesaurus on my laptop every time I rewrite a chapter and need more show and less tell.

October 4, 2008 at 9:35 am

This detail leaped out at me :

“the unwelcoming hardness of pressing the alarm button”

Sounds like a bedroom of the rich and famous. 🙂 I love looking at pictures of bedrooms in books on decorating and interior design and imagining how I’ll decorate my bedroom some day. Maybe I’ll have one of those low tables with padded tops as well.

• International
• Education Jobs
• Schools directory
• Resources Education Jobs Schools directory News Search

11 Plus Creative Writing for 2024 and 2025 exams

Subject: English

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

13 June 2024

• Share through email
• Share through twitter
• Share through linkedin
• Share through facebook
• Share through pinterest

New and updated for 2024 and 2025 examinations Stories and descriptive writing 50 creative writing prompts

Tes paid licence How can I reuse this?

Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 62%

A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

Everything you need to pass the 11 plus - CEM

This bundle is a complete collation of resources needed for your student or child to pass the 11 plus for grammar schools.

11 Plus English Bundle

**11 Plus English Bundle** Resources worth £31.60, save over 62% with this bundle. Includes: * 11 Plus Comprehension Tests * 11 Plus Cloze Tests * 11 Plus Vocabulary Booster Tests * 11 Plus Creative Writing * 11 Plus Antonyms Flashcards * 11 Plus Synonyms Flashcards * 11 Plus Vocabulary List 1 * 11 Plus Vocabulary List 2 * 11 Plus Vocabulary List 3 * 11 Plus Spellings * Coronavirus Related Vocabulary * 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning: Anagrams

Your rating is required to reflect your happiness.

It's good to leave some feedback.

Something went wrong, please try again later.

This resource hasn't been reviewed yet

To ensure quality for our reviews, only customers who have purchased this resource can review it

Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.

Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource: