Novel Writing – The Importance of Setting

by Linda C Butler

The setting of a novel includes the place and the time that the story takes place.  In some novels, setting is background, but in others, it is an integral part of the story.  Some writers give it more prominence than others, and use it as a structure upon which to build. Setting can influence how a character thinks and feels and may further the plot, yet it must not overwhelm.

Place is the country, the physical geography, the architecture, and the landscape.  If the place appears real, the reader will find herself in a new world.   

Time is an important aspect of setting and the author must decide if the novel takes place in this century, or is from some other period.  In a historical novel, the setting is vastly different.  Readers enjoy the experience of other times and through the characters, learn of the society, the daily routine, and the political climate.  The reader needs sufficient detail, but does not want to be confused.

Science fiction and fantasy writers create new worlds and provide extensive details to make a different universe come alive.  The writer is challenged to convince the reader that this parallel reality of time and place could exist.

Climate and weather are factors in setting and the interaction between a character and the environment may shape the character.  The reader may expect him to respond in a certain way in his usual setting, however, if he is put into a different environment, he may respond differently.

Sometimes the plot advances because of a change in the weather, such as a blizzard or a heat wave. The time of day and the light are also important, such as daybreak or midnight.  The season is also a factor and the grass may be sprouting, or the leaves blowing.

Atmosphere is the mood or feeling conveyed in the story.  A writer evokes atmosphere by the description of the place, time and weather, and by the subtle details that create mood.  A continuing rainstorm may suggest impending doom or a rainbow suggest happiness. 

Details should be specific and not general.  The author must have an ability to combine details carefully and sparingly, to create a unique place. Descriptions should include sensory information such as sounds, smells, taste and touch.  Perhaps a character walks through a herb garden, feels the touch of raindrops, smells the lavender fragrance, tastes a mint leaf, and listens to the water trickle.  On a windy day, the character may taste the dust in his throat. Words that evoke an emotion make the reader feel.  Action verbs move the story along and give a sense of movement which increases our awareness of the background. 

Description should not just fill a page, it must be part of the story, and should flow from the dialogue and action.  If too much description is included, the reader will skim over it, but if the details are stretched over several pages she will experience the place, and want to live in the world of the story.  Setting is more real if it unfolds slowly and does not read like a travelogue.

If the story takes place in a specific city, there may be sufficient information available to provide the necessary details.  Many readers will know a city and less detail needs to be provided.  If the setting is a small town, it may be better to create one than to use an existing place, as a writer can create one to suit her needs, such as locate it close to a lake or the mountains, or maybe position the pharmacy next door to the hardware store. 

Setting is more than background and is an integral part of the novel, but the details must be carefully worked into the writing so as not to overwhelm the reader who must be convinced that this new world could actually exist.  A good setting draws the reader in, helps to explain the characters, and moves the plot forward.