Crafting a Memorable Setting

An irregular series of Writers Tips...

Crafting a memorable setting is an essential part of creating a compelling story or world. Here are some tips and tricks to help you create a setting that will leave a lasting impression on your readers:

Create a clear visual image

Use vivid language to describe the setting in detail, including sensory details such as colours, sounds, smells, and textures. For instance the smell of stale beer in a rundown old boozer or the pastel colours on a polo shirt of the hooligan who’s just entered it.

Make the setting unique

Add distinctive elements to your setting that will make it stand out from others. This could be a particular feature of the landscape, an unusual weather pattern, or even a particular architectural style. Imagine a street full of faceless, modern council houses with a glorious Victorian detached right in the middle of it.

Use the setting to create atmosphere

The setting can be used to create a mood or atmosphere that complements the tone of the story. For example back in the rundown boozer, dark and ominous decor can create a sense of foreboding, while a bright and cheerful café can create a sense of warmth and community.

Make the setting integral to the story

The setting should not be incidental to the story, but an integral part of it. The setting should affect the plot and the characters, and the story should not be able to take place in any other location.

Research your setting

If your setting is based on a real-world location or historical period, do your research to ensure accuracy and authenticity. This helps to create a setting that feels believable and immersive. I’m from Byker in Newcastle, it’s a very large council estate and the pubs reflect that so writing about them makes my fictional rundown boozer all the more authentic.

Use contrasting settings

Contrasting settings can create an interesting juxtaposition that can add depth to your story. For example, a decaying and desolate industrial estate might be contrasted with a newly planted and lush nature reserve on the edge of town.

Create a sense of history

Even if your setting is a fictional world, adding a sense of history can help to make it feel more real and lived-in. This could be in the form of ruins, ancient artifacts, or legends passed down through generations.

Use the setting to create conflict
The setting can be used to create conflict between characters or groups, such as a harsh environment that is difficult to survive in, or a city divided by social or political tensions. In the ‘Byker Universe’ where all of the Andy Rivers books are set the setting usually creates problems between the inhabitants from different ends or varying social classes.

Use the setting to create symbolism

The setting can be used to symbolise themes or ideas in your story. For example, back in the boozer the peeling wallpaper and sticky carpet could represent the decay of the area or a pristine, newly opened hairdressers could represent a young persons purity of optimism about the future.

By using these tips and tricks, you can create a setting that will stick in your readers' minds long after they have finished your story and may even lend itself to a sequel or even a series.