We've been talking a lot about characters recently, and they are (obviously) absolutely crucial to your story. Now it is important that we wrap these guys in the best scenery possible for them, providing a background that allows them to POP off the page.
That being said, here are:
That being said, here are:
1. It's All In The Details
I'm sure this is a quote from somewhere, but beauty is in the details. We, as readers, are enthralled, captivated and mesmerized by them. Why? Because not only do we learn NEW things from them, but these small details help take us to places we've never been before.
Just like you'd describe the nuances in your character's behaviors and mannerisms, I believe a location can be brought to life by paying attention to the small things people usually wouldn't think about.
The smell of the grass. The red paint chipping off the barn walls. The way the moon shines through the thick, warped glass in the cellar - All of these specific descriptions help your readers imagine the scene.
Take The Harry Potter series, for example. JK Rowling didn't just take her readers to fantastical places - which are hard enough to think of to begin with. But she described them all in VIVID detail. And she did this so well, that I think just about everyone can close their eyes and imagine similar versions of Hogwarts, or a Quidditch field or even The Burrow.
So be DESCRIPTIVE. All of these details will ensure your readers will get LOST in your writing. Because, in the end, your job is to CAPTURE your audience, and lose them in your own, specially crafted, vivid world of fantasy.
Just like you'd describe the nuances in your character's behaviors and mannerisms, I believe a location can be brought to life by paying attention to the small things people usually wouldn't think about.
The smell of the grass. The red paint chipping off the barn walls. The way the moon shines through the thick, warped glass in the cellar - All of these specific descriptions help your readers imagine the scene.
Take The Harry Potter series, for example. JK Rowling didn't just take her readers to fantastical places - which are hard enough to think of to begin with. But she described them all in VIVID detail. And she did this so well, that I think just about everyone can close their eyes and imagine similar versions of Hogwarts, or a Quidditch field or even The Burrow.
So be DESCRIPTIVE. All of these details will ensure your readers will get LOST in your writing. Because, in the end, your job is to CAPTURE your audience, and lose them in your own, specially crafted, vivid world of fantasy.
2. Use The Right Words
One thing I notice about the more enjoyable books I read is their unique descriptive words. Maybe these words are specific architecture terms (Such as Dan Brown loves to use in his Robert Langdon series) or words that you wouldn't normally use to describe a place, but still elicit a certain feeling.
One thing I find helpful is to keep a notebook of words that capture my attention as I come across them. Also it helps a lot to find a list of specific words for certain things.
For example: Ship terms (Quarterdeck, mainsail, port side); architectural terms (Vaulted ceilings, portico, crenelated tower); or, if you're doing something historical, 1700's terms (Gothic, lanthorn, garret) - All of these are specific words that help paint a picture for your reader's mind. Also, by using precise terminology, it makes your work seem more credible and believable.
So do yourself a favor and find a list of terms that can accurately describe the type of setting you're trying to convey. It will help you stay away from generic ways of describing things like "on the boat," and towards more specific descriptions such as "atop the quarterdeck of the ship."
One thing I find helpful is to keep a notebook of words that capture my attention as I come across them. Also it helps a lot to find a list of specific words for certain things.
For example: Ship terms (Quarterdeck, mainsail, port side); architectural terms (Vaulted ceilings, portico, crenelated tower); or, if you're doing something historical, 1700's terms (Gothic, lanthorn, garret) - All of these are specific words that help paint a picture for your reader's mind. Also, by using precise terminology, it makes your work seem more credible and believable.
So do yourself a favor and find a list of terms that can accurately describe the type of setting you're trying to convey. It will help you stay away from generic ways of describing things like "on the boat," and towards more specific descriptions such as "atop the quarterdeck of the ship."
3. Compliment The Action
It's always nice to have your setting compliment the action that is going on.
For example, if you want to heighten suspense or fear, set your character in a gloomy, dark and scary place. Maybe, even to add tension, throw in some heavy rain and lightning. If you want to keep the mood light, set your scene in a cute cafe and have the sun shining that day.
But this also works both ways, in that you can use a scene to contrast emotions.
For example, something absolutely horrible can happen in a beautiful meadow or right after your character leaves an ice cream shop. Maybe (looking at you Nicholas Sparks) you can have your two lovers kiss passionately during a crummy rainstorm.
The scenery doesn't always have to match what's going on, because (obviously) in real life, nothing ever matches perfectly. But as a writer, you get to be creative. So go on and pair different settings and moods. In the end, it is your job to elicit a variety of feelings and emotions from your readers that they might otherwise not have felt.
For example, if you want to heighten suspense or fear, set your character in a gloomy, dark and scary place. Maybe, even to add tension, throw in some heavy rain and lightning. If you want to keep the mood light, set your scene in a cute cafe and have the sun shining that day.
But this also works both ways, in that you can use a scene to contrast emotions.
For example, something absolutely horrible can happen in a beautiful meadow or right after your character leaves an ice cream shop. Maybe (looking at you Nicholas Sparks) you can have your two lovers kiss passionately during a crummy rainstorm.
The scenery doesn't always have to match what's going on, because (obviously) in real life, nothing ever matches perfectly. But as a writer, you get to be creative. So go on and pair different settings and moods. In the end, it is your job to elicit a variety of feelings and emotions from your readers that they might otherwise not have felt.
4. Use Unique Locations
Another thing I find that captivates me, is the use of SPECIFIC places. Think Dan Brown, he's probably the best at this.
This is important because readers want to go places they haven't normally been. They want to visit an NYC penthouse suite, a gorgeous cathedral in Spain, or feel what it feels like to ride a train through the English countryside. So use your descriptive writing to take them to these places.
Sure, some locations will have to be generic, but try to stay away from them. Instead use locations that feel dynamic and lively. You want to keep your reader's interest, and more importantly, you want to feed their imagination.
So do your best to keep your characters out of places like their kitchen, car or cubicle at work. Because guess what! Most of your readers visit these locations on a DAILY basis and when they read they want to go BEYOND those places. They want to explore the unknown, the unusual and the EXCITING.
If you help them with this exploration, it will make your book that much more interesting.
This is important because readers want to go places they haven't normally been. They want to visit an NYC penthouse suite, a gorgeous cathedral in Spain, or feel what it feels like to ride a train through the English countryside. So use your descriptive writing to take them to these places.
Sure, some locations will have to be generic, but try to stay away from them. Instead use locations that feel dynamic and lively. You want to keep your reader's interest, and more importantly, you want to feed their imagination.
So do your best to keep your characters out of places like their kitchen, car or cubicle at work. Because guess what! Most of your readers visit these locations on a DAILY basis and when they read they want to go BEYOND those places. They want to explore the unknown, the unusual and the EXCITING.
If you help them with this exploration, it will make your book that much more interesting.
5. Travel
One thing I love to do, especially since I've been writing mostly historical fantasy, is use reference images. This can range from paintings that were created during the 1700s or artwork from various, fantastical video games that help spark my imagination.
So artistic renderings of places can definitely help elicit ideas and inspiration. Maybe someone online drew a fortress in the middle of a mountain, and it sparked an idea you wouldn't have normally thought of. That's great! After all, art is meant to inspire. But, as the title of this section suggests, sometimes you need to just get out there!
And what a better excuse to travel than say it's for your book!
Just like art (and even more so), visiting the places you write about can be very inspiring, because when you actually visit a place (as opposed to looking at pictures) you get to use your five senses. You learn the layout of the towns, the geography, what the locals are like and what the fresh baked bread from the bakery tastes like.
And when you visit these places, be sure to bring your notebook! You're going to want to jot down everything you experience while it is fresh in your memory. Everything from what the buildings looked like, to how the air smelt, to how you even just FELT as you walked around.
In the end, you'll feel inspired, and at the same time, get an excuse to unwind and take a mini vacation. Your writing will surly benefit from it!
So artistic renderings of places can definitely help elicit ideas and inspiration. Maybe someone online drew a fortress in the middle of a mountain, and it sparked an idea you wouldn't have normally thought of. That's great! After all, art is meant to inspire. But, as the title of this section suggests, sometimes you need to just get out there!
And what a better excuse to travel than say it's for your book!
Just like art (and even more so), visiting the places you write about can be very inspiring, because when you actually visit a place (as opposed to looking at pictures) you get to use your five senses. You learn the layout of the towns, the geography, what the locals are like and what the fresh baked bread from the bakery tastes like.
And when you visit these places, be sure to bring your notebook! You're going to want to jot down everything you experience while it is fresh in your memory. Everything from what the buildings looked like, to how the air smelt, to how you even just FELT as you walked around.
In the end, you'll feel inspired, and at the same time, get an excuse to unwind and take a mini vacation. Your writing will surly benefit from it!