Chapter 6 — Writing Setting, and Notes on Writing the Scene: Part I

As I mentioned in the Introduction, the setting is the location in which the scene takes place. Simple, right? Not really. The inability to write the setting is where a lot of writers lose readers, and even the readers don’t know why. If nothing in the first few hundred words pulls them down into the story, they simply drift away. Readers must be grounded in the setting. The more firmly they are grounded in the setting, … Read more

The Journal, Monday, 12/14

Hi Folks, Well, on the second day of my new system of writing during my quiet time, I messed it up. (grin) On the up side, I limited my waking up time to about ten minutes. On the down side, I spent the next two and a half hours on admin stuff, prepping The Scent of Acacias for layout for print. Sigh. I forgot I hadn’t done that yet. I already have folks wanting boxed sets … Read more

The Importance of Setting (and How to Write It): Part Two

Hi Folks, Okay, here is Part Two of what might be the most valuable post you’ll ever read about writing fiction. Again, I’m not kidding. (Even got the same pic in case you want to share.) The necessary preliminary stuff was in the previous post, so if you missed that one, I suggest you go back and read it first. In summary — To write a story (any length) you need only to write an opening. … Read more

The Importance of Setting (and How to Write It): Part One

Hi Folks, This might well be the most valuable post you’ve read about writing fiction. I am not joking. I even put a picture on here so you could share it to Pinterest if you want. (grin) Okay, first, the necessary preliminary stuff. To start a story of any length, you have to write an opening. The opening most often will consist of 300 to 500 words. In the opening, you introduce a character, give him … Read more

The Journal, Saturday, 9/5

Playing around in Gila National Wilderness or someplace just as wild. No entry today about the day. Topic: Setting and How to Write It Okay, to start a story (of any length) you have to begin. You have to write an opening. In order to write an opening, you have to create a character, give him a problem and drop him into a setting. But what do I mean by “setting”? First, here I’m talking about … Read more