Crafting Vivid Settings

Bringing Your World to Life

Introduction

Alright, you've washed your baseboards for the third time this month and no, the refrigerator doesn't need to be cleaned out again. It's time to finally tackle your writing project. You have a nice quiet area, your laptop is set up, and you finally figure out what scene you will be writing next. Nothing can stop you now! Except... as you start writing you realize that your setting seems flat and two-dimensional. How is it that other authors can make places - some of them so fantastic that they can't exist in our world - come to life in the minds of readers? And how can you breathe life into your book's settings?

Part 1 Do You Remember the Time?

Okay, so I know I'm going to be sounding like a broken record in my posts but I'm a huge proponent of using what you know. I think this gets overlooked and undervalued among early writers especially. And I can relate to this entirely as I spent years thinking that what I knew when it came to settings meant nothing in my work as a fantasy writer. What does my work at night in a shipping facility have to do with dangerous mountains? Or my time living as a teenager near Fort Hood, Texas have to do with dragons?

While it's true that I never saw a dragon in Texas, I can describe to you still in immense detail what it's like being outside on a 110-degree day. I could also describe having to travel on foot outside on such a day and cooking an egg in a frying pan on the sidewalk on a day like that as well. And it did absolutely feel like a place where a dragon might want to live. I can also describe the cool, dark, and almost cave-like environment of the shipping facility and the low murmur of machines and people's voices. Interestingly enough, it's not hard at all for me to see how those settings could relate to a barren wasteland (sorry Texans) or a mine inside a cave. 

It's true that where you've been can be valuable information when it comes to describing settings in your books. What helps me with this is to write out my settings and then to write places I've been that were similar. Sometimes, you have to be a little creative when you draw the parallels. So for instance, obvious ones might be thinking about the last time you were at a restaurant or bar to write about a tavern or about a time you went camping to write about your characters having to rough it out in the woods. But you could also refer to any time you've been in an unfamiliar place or situation to help you brainstorm what it would be like for your characters to face uncertainty. 

Part 2 Using All Five Senses

There's a technique that is taught in grounding that's called the 5 4 3 2 1 technique and it's used to help people who suffer from anxiety and PTSD. This technique encourages the person to focus on their present environment rather than being pulled into rumination, panic, or trauma triggers and is accomplished by getting them to notice details around them. Specifically, they are told to try and determine 5 things they can see, 4 things they can touch, 3 things they can hear, two things they can smell, and one thing they can taste. This distracts the person in a healthy way but also helps them to be present.

This is also a great way to immerse yourself in fictional settings too. Whether you're referring to a place in your memory or somewhere that you made up entirely, ask yourself what things there will appeal to your five senses. Better yet, try to get as detailed as you can remembering that as the author, you are likely to know all kinds of details about your world that the reader won't ever learn. If it's a marketplace and you mention the low murmuring of people talking, then think about if it's in a language that the character knows or if many people from different areas frequent this market and the character doesn't know the other languages well. Remember that it's an entirely different experience when you hear a lot of people speaking your own language versus a language that you don't know!

Part 3 Visualization and Meditation

If you're struggling to figure out how a fictional setting might appeal to your senses, then you can try visualization techniques. Find a quiet space, close your eyes, and imagine yourself in your setting. Picture the details: the sights, sounds, and smells. Consider recording yourself describing the scene—it'll help you understand what your characters might experience and set the tone for your writing.

Meditation can also be a powerful tool for connecting with your setting on a deeper level. Take a few moments to clear your mind and focus on your breathing. Then, imagine yourself in your setting, exploring every corner and experiencing every sensation. Pay attention to how your surroundings make you feel—this emotional connection will translate into more authentic and evocative descriptions in your writing.

Part 4 Real-Life Research

Sometimes, experiencing a setting firsthand is the best research. Will your characters be trekking through a forest? Visit a nearby nature reserve. Writing about mines under a mountain? Explore natural caves with guided tours (please don't go cave exploring alone in unmarked caves if you don't have experience, they can be extremely dangerous!). I'm a big believer that being a writer is a great excuse to experience all kinds of places and things in the world and chalk it all up to professionally necessary research. 

Real-life research not only provides valuable details for your writing but also allows you to tap into the sensory experience of different environments. Feel the crunch of leaves beneath your feet in a forest, or the oppressive darkness and eerie silence of a cave. These firsthand experiences will infuse your writing with authenticity and make your settings feel vibrant and immersive.

Part 5 Images as Inspiration

Another way to help you visualize the settings in your book is to focus on a similar image. This is useful if you have aphantasia or are otherwise unable to visualize the setting for your scene on your own. I've also used this sometimes to get me started in visualizing what a setting might be like and then I continue using any of the techniques mentioned above. 

Look for images that capture the mood and atmosphere you want to convey in your writing. Whether it's a sweeping landscape, a bustling city street, or a serene woodland glade, find visual references that resonate with your vision for your setting. These images can serve as a springboard for your imagination, helping you to visualize the details and bring your setting to life on the page.

Putting it All Together

At the end of the day, crafting vivid settings is a blend of imagination and experience. Draw from your own life, engage all five senses, and immerse yourself in your world. With practice and patience, your settings will come to life on the page, captivating readers and transporting them to worlds beyond their wildest dreams.

Remember, the key to creating immersive settings is attention to detail and emotional resonance. By incorporating sensory details, drawing from personal experiences, and exploring real-life environments, you can create settings that feel authentic, vibrant, and unforgettable.

So roll up your sleeves, dust off your keyboard, and dive into the world-building process. Your readers are waiting to be transported on an unforgettable journey—so give them a setting they'll never forget.