I have a confession: setting is not one of my strong points. I wouldn't say that I'm awful at developing settings, but I guess like everything else writing related, I'm still learning. I knew setting was important, but only on a theoretical level. Until recently.
A few weeks ago I read the first book of the Kate Daniels series, Magic Bites, by Ilona Andrews (who is actually a husband and wife team). Since then I've read the first five. I love the characters. I love Kate. I love the plots. I love the romance.I love the world.
I've never consciously thought that about a setting before. I'm sure I've admired settings. Enjoyed them. But they've never been one of the stand out factors that have made me love a story.
The world that Kate lives in is so unique, so well thought out, so interesting and detailed, it adds an extra layer of awesomeness to everything that happens in the story. It's a source of so much conflict, before the bad guys even appear on the scene. It's even the cause of many of the badies.
I wish I could explain why it's so amazing, but I'm still trying to figure that out for myself. So instead, I'll just say, read Magic Bites. It's a great story, and so are the rest, and you might just learn something while you're at it.
Are you like me, and don't usually notice the setting? Or can setting make or break a story for you?
How are your June goals going? I'm on track, but I have a house full of guests and they're here until next week, so it's hard to find time without seeming antisocial.
I definitely notice setting, but I'm not great at crafting it myself. It's something I used to get nailed on all the time in writers' workshops. A great setting can really set the tone of the story, as I have since learned. :)
ReplyDeleteI grew up reading a lot of fantasy so setting really is noticeable, at least when I'm reading. I try to make my settings realistic. Not sure I always succeed, but I at least try.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently just starting a fantasy series and world building is key. I must have spent days outline and mapping my own design of one, and let me tell ya, it ain't easy. Fun though that's for sure. Great post! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! I didn't really start paying attention to setting until I realized it was a weak point in my own story (go figure?). NOw when I read, I ALWAYS pay attention to setting, and it has forced me to go back through my own and really beef it up. Glad to know I'm not the only one learning :)
ReplyDeleteJune goals. Yikes. We're still getting settled in our new home and I'm itching to get back to my story...catching up on blogs right now. Hopefully I'll be on track soon? Have fun with your company!
I'm meant to have goals? [weeps]
ReplyDeleteSetting is important. I've heard many people say that your location is a character who needs personality, and that's true. Then you have to embed all the exposition so you're translating the paranormal to normal, but subtly. I am doing it with my UF project and it drives me bonkers.
Thanks for the suggestion! :) I'll definitely pick up a copy of Magic Bites on my next trip to the book store.
ReplyDeleteI totally notice setting when I'm reading. I've read a lot of comic books (so nerdy. Lol) where the setting was actually what kept drawing me back. But I feel my current WIP needs a lot of work in the setting department. I more or less pantsed my way through the setting portions and it REALLY shows. I'm definitely going to be pumping up the setting description and info in my edits.
setting has always been the thing I notice first, and the thing that keeps me coming back. I really don't like it when settings are not well defined or not fully shown to me within the first 100 pages. one of the many reasons I LOVE Tamora Pierce and Scott Westerfeld. I'd like to think that my world will be just as well defined, but i guess only time will tell on that one.
ReplyDeleteI don't often notice settings, but when I do I'm always amazed. I'm not very good at building them either, so I marvel at those who can create them with vivid clarity.
ReplyDeleteI have a blog award for you today on my blog. :)
I'm the same, growing up I mostly read fantasy. And I appreciated the fantasy settings, and it's obvious when one has not been thought out, but I've never fallen in love with one the same way I did with the Kate Daniels world.
ReplyDeleteI'm a pantser for everything story related, including setting. My story is fantasy as well but the world just kind of grew organically as I wrote.
ReplyDeleteWe can learn this one together then. ;) I guess when setting's done well it supports the rest of the story, and can get overshadowed by other elements of the story.
ReplyDeleteHope your new home is awesome!
Wow, that's interesting. I always seem to notice character first. I'm not sure where setting is ranked and the noticing scale. I think I will pay more attention to it now though.
ReplyDeleteYay, I'm glad you're going to read it. It's so good. :)
ReplyDeleteI pantsed my setting too, but I pantsed everything, so hopefully it doesn't stand out as the one thing that wasn't planned. I didn't plan anything for the first book. O_o
I find I either notice setting if it adds to the conflict and is done well, or if it's not done well. The well developed settings that do their job and quietly go about their business in the background I tend to overlook. Not intentionally, just because there are other story elements that I tend to notice first.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the award! :)
I guess, like you, I notice setting when it's really great. Otherwise it just sorta sips past and doesn't seem important. I used to read a lot of travel writing which was primarily setting based.
ReplyDeleteI guess I try to use setting in my stories because I feel like it says so much about the character, without actually saying it. And I love the way you can play with language when writing setting descriptions.
June goals are a bit behind but I'm spending a few hours on them now :)
I completely exactly what you're talking about. I love setting, and I think about it very carefully when I write, but then when I get to it, it usually takes until the second or third read through to REALLY get it write. I've always envied the people that can explain scenes and have the most random, seemingly thoughtless things thrown about: a certain book on a coffee table, the dishevelment of bills and magazines on the counter, the cereal bowl with remnants of rice krispies from that morning. It makes everything so real. I think the first time I truly started to appreciate setting (not that I didn't always love it) was when I reread the whole Harry Potter series this past fall. Reading it as a college student and a writer instead of a 5th grader like I was when I read the first four books, helped me appreciate the world she has created even more. No wonder the books are a success.
ReplyDelete<3 Gina Blechman
I never gave much thought to setting when I was writing short stories but now that I'm writing novels, setting is everything. For me, the best are the ones that creep up on you and stay with you a long time afterwards.
ReplyDeleteEllie
Garratt
I always notice the setting, but it does not always move me. When it does, though, it always makes the story for me. For example, one of the best parts of So Cold the River by Michael Koryta is the setting. I haven't really had the setting or lack thereof break a story for me, though. Like you, setting isn't necessarily my greatest strength, at least not in first drafts. I tend to skip over description because I can see it in my head, so it MUST be on the page, right? Uh . . .
ReplyDeleteMy June goals are going pretty well, although most of the fun ones are getting sidetracked by a lot of bureaucratic stuff. On the upside, I've also gotten outside more than I usually do.
Edited to add: I read Magic Bites and Magic Burns back when there were only two books, and yes, I loved the setting. I didn't realize there were more out! I will have to check for them.
I don't notice setting too much. But then I tend to gravitate to urban fantasy rather than high-fantasy so the settings are usually more along the lines of modern world. Dialogue can make or break a book for me. If it's stiff I can't read past a couple pages. Setting I can overlook.
ReplyDeleteA bad setting can kill the story for me . The book sounds interesting thanks for the recommendation.
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