Setting

"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." ~Abraham Lincoln

Some books have the ability to open up and allow us to step into them. Setting is often a key factor in making this possible. More than merely where a story takes place, setting creates boundaries for a story and forces characters to react.  For instance, if a story takes place in Montana during winter, you can't have your character gardening outdoors. Shoveling snow would be more likely. If your story is set in ancient Egypt, characters can't whip out their cell phones to check the time or take a picture. 

Three things to keep in mind while creating setting - 

• Use the five senses. This anchors readers into a story. What sounds are there? What smells? I once read an article that said smell is directly related to memory. If you get readers senses involved, they're more likely to remember and connect to your story. 
• Avoid the forbidden info dump. This bores readers, which is also forbidden. Try to describe setting by having characters interact with it. Have him trip over the tree roots as he runs from pursuers rather than say tree roots surround him.  
•  You can also use setting to underscore a character's mood. For instance, if it's raining when your character receives bad news, it amplifies his emotions. If thunder and lightening accompany his fear, he's going to become even more afraid, and so will readers. 

Tomorrow's post - When telling is better than showing. Is that even possible?