Monday, November 5, 2012

The Mystique of Setting






When I was 5 years old, my uncle gave me a dollhouse for Christmas. From that point, I was totally hooked on giving my miniature people all the advantages of a real home. Little children played in the nursery, while Mom cooked dinner. They had a stage for their activities.
 

My larger dolls didn't escape my vivid imagination either. When my cousin was born, my aunt passed her outgrown baby clothes on to me. I preferred them to the flimsy doll clothing available in stores. Real sweaters, hats, and booties adorned my darlings.

Along with the clothing, came the bassinet, the real wood crib, highchair, and doll carriage. At one point, my room had a fully-decked out bassinet, a crib, and a doll bed made out of a Penny Playpal box. (She was the older sister.)

A character without a setting is like a doll without the trappings of real life. Who can forget the curtains Scarlett O'Hara made for Tara? Authors like Cathy Gohlke, Tamera Alexander, and others draw us into their worlds with sweeping vistas and realistic details of bygone years.

How can we create a stage for our characters that doesn't resemble a cardboard backdrop?

1) Research, research, research. I know authors, who read books, newspapers, articles, visit museums, and travel to absorb the flavor of their characters' era.

2) Word choice. We would not use King James English in a contemporary novel. Neither would we resort to modern terminology in a historical romance.

3) Interview experts. While working on my first manuscript, I relied on a friend to give me cultural input. On TV, the character, Richard Castle, hangs around a real-life detective for inspiration and accurate details.

P.S. DON'T FORGET - TOMORROW IS ELECTION DAY IN THE U.S.!

Photo Credits:  Dollhouse by melodi2
                         Fashion by Ayla87

Writers:  What techniques do you use to produce great settings?

Readers: What does a stunning setting do for your reading experience?


15 comments:

Linda O'Connell said...

Susan, great advice as ususal. I too loved my dolls.

Karen Lange said...

For setting, I draw on research and experience (depending on the story). I also observe how other writers handle similar genres.

Happy Monday,
Karen

Jessica Nelson said...

I've watched some YouTube videos on cars in the 1920s and even an interview with a Paiute woman who makes baskets.
I look up pictures and sometimes I have to call people. :-)

Rhonda Schrock said...

I'm excited about election day! Very, very concerned, but hopeful.

As I'm not a fiction writer, I have to use real-life settings. Which still make my real-life accounts come to life, making them even more vivid in readers' minds, I think.

Happy Monday!

quietspirit said...

I, too, write non-fiction. I use what is available to depict my point. I intend to do more of this in the future.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Linda - I still have a collection. :)

Hi Karen - At conferences and workshops, it's drilled into us that writers are also readers. We can learn so much from quality authors.

Hi Jessica - I never thought of using YouTube as a resource. Great idea!

Hi Rhonda - Me too! I think you do a fabulous job drawing people into your day-to-day experiences.

Hi Quiet Spirit - Using fiction techniques in non-fiction is a great way to hold people's interest.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Nancy said...

I enjoy settings with details I hadn't thought about. I love old houses. I get tired reading about too much nature detail, unless it is a major plot point.

Dorothy said...

I think research is key! Your babies would not have 'looked' the part sleeping in an apron. I bet you dressed them in pjs for bedtime. Same goes for our characters. I love the research as much as the writing... and I think many writers, especially historical writers, share the same affliction. :-)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Nancy - Yes, sometimes the nature detail can get tedious.

Hi Dotti - They definitely wore PJ's. :) Research is a key factor for any novel.

Blessings,
Susan

Sarah Forgrave said...

Great tips, Susan. Research always intimidates me...I think because I'm afraid I'll miss one crucial detail and look like an idiot in the process. :)

Angela Ackerman said...

I think another thing we can do is to choose settings that have special meaning, either good or bad, to the POV character. Their emotions can be manipulated by what they feel in a setting where they feel uncomfortable, or at ease. Whichever will cause more conflict or help or shadow will make a good choice!

Angela

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sarah - Finding some great, dependable resources might ease the stress. I especially like getting "experts."

Hi Angela - Great suggestions! I've seen authors use this technique with amazing results.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Carla Gade said...

Great topic and illustration. When I played make-believe as a girl (kind of still do...) setting was always very important to me. The more authentic, the better. Fun to recall. Research is important to me now to authenticate my novels with time, place, and culture.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Carla -

Maybe our early experience was basic training for writing fiction.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Carla Gade said...

I think you are right, Susan! LOL!