writing about a sense of place
DESCRIPTION
The setting of a story is more than just a place. It can be a powerful character. It can transform the reader's imagination and it can ground a good plot. Learn how your "special place" can anchor your manuscript.TRANSCRIPT
+
A SENSE OF PLACEHOW TO TAKE THE READER THERE
Presented by GINGER MARCINKOWSKI, M.F.A.
Author & Speaker
+WHAT IS A SENSE OF PLACE?
Anchor to a story-it is place that often drives story
Character
Setting tells us where you are* What the mood is What time frame you are writing from What action may be taking place
It is adaptable World view Up close view
*From Janet Burroway’s, Imaginative Writing: The Elements of Craft 2007. Pg. 135
+Let’s Try an Exercise
The man gathered clams for dinner.
Rewrite using one or more of the following: Concrete details Smell Sound Taste Touch
(Pg. 27 TBL)
+WHAT SETTING DOES
Creates a mood-(The Pearl Diver, pg. 4-5)
Stands as a Symbol-(Run, River Currents pg. 104)
Gives the reader a rich imagery- (Run, River Currents pg. 26-27)
Creates Conflict or harmony with characters- ( Ironweed, pg. 1) (Wise Blood, pg. 9)
Adds humor-(Help Wanted: Female pg.4)
+Let’s Try an Exercise
Think about your writing place for a moment. Describe:
What it looks like What it smells like How you feel there
Do you love or hate it? Why?
+
Write about one of the photos
+LET’S TRY AN EXERCISE IN
IMAGERY
Here are a list of clichés. Create a setting from them using concrete details.
A dark and stormy night
Raining cats and dogs
Freeze you to death
Scorching hot
Foggy as pea soup
Balmy weather
Fragrant as new-mown hayAdapted from Janet Burroway’s, Imaginative Writing, The Elements of Craft. Pg. 140
+
Use Setting to…• Create a world
• Weather
• Time of Day/or Place in Time
• Characters familiar or unfamiliar with place
• Show Emotion
+ACTION WORDS
Hurdle instead of throw
Elated instead of pleased
Enraged instead of angry
Munch instead of eat
Use words like pilfer, snatch, contemplate, sprint, nibble, escape, frets, exploded, raw sores, stifled, rattled, squeezed, stoked, nestled, brushed, mingled…all visual, powerful words…
+CHECKLIST FOR SETTING
Write down What you “see” What you “smell” What you “taste” How something “feels” What you “hear”
Mood Somber Safe Threatening Common
Prompts Use old photos Research Visit Someplace you love
Your words Create imagery Set tone Forward story Show action
+
A SENSE OF PLACEHOW TO TAKE THE READER THERE
Presented by GINGER MARCINKOWSKI, M.F.A.
Author & Speaker