Elements of Setting
While writing my current mystery, I’ve tried to follow the adage, “Show, don’t tell.” Instead of telling readers that my main character love wine, I describe his house, with its wine glass racks. Right away, the astute reader will catch on that this is a character that knows wine, at least enough to buy the right glasses for the right wine. The reader will also notice how the character uses wine as a design element with a hanging wine glass rack. A picture forms of a man with good taste.
I use these elements of setting in the mystery’s murder scene. When viewing pictures of the scene, the protagonist is quick to notice the curiosity of the stemware racks. You’ll have to wait until the book is on the shelves to learn about that one.
Setting just as much as character adds dimension to a novel. So much can be learned about a character by his possessions. Each one tells a story about the character. Why did he buy it? How does he use it? I like to refer to these elements as passive character traits. They do some heavy lifting for character development.
As you develop your scenes, think about what possessions you can add to a setting that will reveal back story for your characters. So much can be learned by a single item.
Writing Tip — Reveal Characters Through Setting
Today’s writing tip is about building character. Following the adage, show, don’t tell, setting description presents many opportunities for writers to delve into the minds of their characters.
I’ve always believed through many moves through the years that plants and pictures make a new home. Add a few indoor planters and you add life and color to a new place. Not only do the plants add life, but they provide details about the occupant. Let’s be honest; plants do take some effort. Clearly, someone with planter or five in the house, with live plants, is someone who is devoted to their upkeep. That says a lot about that person.
Now think of the possibilities. Not only do we have a character that enjoys plants, but what about the degree of care? I seem to recall that a popular belief once was that talking to plants helped them. Certainly, this is something that you can run with. How about a character so obsessed with her plants that she has an unnatural devotion to them? She values them more than people. She talks to them constantly. Your nutty character is complete.
The opportunities don’t end there. The plants themselves can add to a setting. Imagine a few garden planters, filled with colorful peonies or daisies. Never mind the deadly nightshade planted among them. A red herring or a clue? You decide.
Taking the time to develop your setting gives you many chances to explore characters and plot. Taking the time to populate your setting carefully can enhance your story and give it some new life.
Lighting As An Element Of Setting
One vital aspect of any scene in your writing is your setting. How you set up your setting sets the tone for the entire scene. Lighting is a key element.
Consider the different messages/moods that each of these settings convey. Fine Art lamps convey a sense of wealth–or at least the appearance of it. Describing such elements in your scene adds dimension to the characters of it. No more is it ordinary John Anderson. John Anderson has cash.
Looking to set a more contemporary mood? Your character’s study could be decked out in George Kovacs lighting. Here is a person focused on their work. Their surroundings are minimalist. What does that convey about that character?
Even simple elements like a lamp can say so much about your characters. Words are precious in your work. Each word, each sentence has to be weighed for how well it advances a story. Using aspects of your setting is a good way to tell your character’s story with a minimal number of words and with the greatest impact.
Writing Software
Different software programs have helped me stay organized and on track with my writing. There’s the spreadsheet I use to organize my scenes. For this task, I rely on Microsoft Excel. I also used Excel to do time lines on my characters, noting important dates in their lives.
For my writing, I use Word Perfect. I know, it’s not as popular as Word, but having grown up with Word Perfect, I prefer its logic, its set up. Besides, the Reveal Codes feature is priceless in my thinking. Sure, if need be, I’ll export as a Word file, but for the writing part, I prefer WP.
I came across another software through an ad in “Writer’s Digest” magazine called WriteWay Pro. Sure, it’s a word processor like the others, but there are some added features that I really liked. The character profile section has the usual prompts for age, interests, eye color, etc., but also the ability to add an image. I have very particular ideas of what my characters look like. Seeing them alongside their name and history was very powerful for me.
Another nice feature is the storyboard section. You can add screen cards with master templates as your model for Plot, Suspense, Setting, among others. A great way to organize the action of your work. Additional tools provide a word count, word count analysis and tracking. Now you can see for sure if you’ve used that favorite word of yours too much.Some may call it a glorified word processor, but for my part it made the last bit of my writing that much easier.
So as I wind down here with the revision of my work, I’ll muse about the next one and where my detective will find himself next.
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