Writing Down the Bones: Setting, Mood and Atmosphere

I know I'm a little late in posting this, but it's been a busy week.

I found this wonderful handout and the only source listed is that it came from Make that Scene by William Noble.

1.) Setting

a.) In creating a sense of place you might want to consider a variety of items. Think about the scenery. Are you in a city? What are the buildings like? The streets? Are there any unique speech patterns? What is the weather like? Any folk heroes? Odors?

b.) Choose a few key features, only the ones necessary to your story.

c.)Use just enough information to paint a picture, but don’t overwhelm your reader with too much.

d.) Think of your setting s as a main character. It offers a constant in the story, can be part of the action.

e.) You can use the setting as an influence on your characters.

f.) You can use your setting to limit your plot. When your setting is limited, like to a particular location, it can control what will happen.

g.) Dialogue is another way to develop setting. You can weave drama into your setting through dialog. It allows your reader to become part of the scene.

h.) You can also establish setting through the use of time. Scene transitions establish a time change or a change of setting.

2.) Mood and Atmosphere:

a.) Use the five senses when giving details. It invokes the senses so the reader can feel the character’s feelings and emotions.

b.) The atmosphere helps the reader live what is happening on the pages.

c.) We always say use conflict but you need to use harmony too. Conflict gives the emotion and drama while harmony of the mood and atmosphere gives dimension for the action.

d.) Mood and atmosphere adds to the emotional build-up. It pulls the reader into the story and explains why characters do what they do.

e.) Mood and atmosphere can be influenced by your characters POV. Each character will view the mood and atmosphere differently because of their personality and as you switch POV’s the atmosphere and mood will change too.