In case you’re here for me to tell you why setting is important when you write, you’ll want to find another blog post. That’s not what this is about. It’s more of a tongue-in-cheek question.
Because here’s the thing. When I picture scenes in my stories, it’s very rare that I know where they take place initially. My outlines consist of things that happen in each scene, plot points, character development, and always, always dialogue. But rarely setting.
And I get bored with settings. So if my people have already been to a coffee shop, or to the bar to play pool, or anywhere outside of home or work (and even then), I don’t want to revisit that setting too much, because I get tired of it.
This causes a problem sometimes, because I’ll get to a scene I know needs to take place, and I can’t picture *where* it’s taking place. Like at all. I don’t have any idea what the characters are doing (outside of talking) where they’re doing it, or any of that. I just know what gets said.
I’m at that place right now. I have two scenes that are pivitol to this story, and I can’t figure out where they take place. So I can’t write them. I’ve sketched out the dialogue, but it’s not nearly enough.
I’ve never heard anyone else say this is an issue when they write. Am I the only one? If setting doesn’t trip you up, what does when it comes to fleshing out a scene? Emotion? Voice? Dialogue? Something else?
Greetings!
I just signed up for the GUTGAA pitch conference and thought I would go ahead and check out some more blogs. I am now a faithful follower…nice to meet you!
Donna L Martin
http://www.donnalmartin.com
http://www.donasdays.blogspot.com
Endings. Endings trip me up. As to setting, I’m usually so far in a character’s head that I can feel their legs sticking to the pleather of the diner booth. Or whatever. It’s not a virtue, just the way I’m wired.
On the upside, at least it isn’t dialogue that trips you up! 🙂
Well, I didn’t used to be this way, but I’m starting to get tripped on descriptions. I don’t want to get bogged down in colorful descriptions I want to get action and dialogue out.
I’m discovering that having to stop and write a scene, or even more than a sentence or two, while editing trips me up like nothing else. It’s ridiculously annoying. Like some part of my brain can’t switch between writing and editing.
I haven’t had this particular complication, but I can see how it might arise. I personally love revisiting my locations, but that’s how my brain is wired. If I find a place in real life that I enjoy, I rarely get bored with it, and that’s what I try to craft with my characters and their settings. Kinda like the Gryffindor Common Room or Hagrid’s cabin.
I think it’s a changeable issue. While I’m not dialogue expert, I like to think I’ve improved significantly over time, though it used to be a real bugbear for me. My little theory is that the stumbling blocks change over time. Right now, for me it’s simply balance I think. Balancing world-building description with action for smooth flow.
I think since yours is setting that the moment, it might just indicate that your brain is racing ahead of it with all the fabulous dialogue, motivations, character arcs, and action you’ve got tumbling out 🙂
I’m exactly the same, my betas keep scolding me for lack of setting! I don’t care about describing it, but sometimes it is important… sigh!
Barb
I have been writing for YEARS and never met anyone who has the SAME PROBLEM WITH SETTING AS I DO!!!! When I tell other writers that setting bores me to tears, they look at me like I am nuts. But I don’t like to spend a lot of time on it and I hate reading about it. I mean I think a writer needs to give the reader some indication of setting but not at the expense of the story. I only need a few details, not every single one. Also when I picture scenes in my head it’s the same, the setting is very hazy. It’s really not important to me at that point where the scene is taking place. The STORY is what matters to me, the interaction with other characters. Great post!
I think that setting can be a weaker point for me. I can envision the place clearly as I’m writing, but it doesn’t necessarily come out on paper. If this is something you want to work on, maybe you can start with a few questions to try and jar images for your scene’s setting.
Where were the characters before this moment?
Where are the characters going to be after this moment?
Is my character standing, sitting, leaning against a wall, or drinking a cup of coffee?
Is the character talking with other people? If so, are they close and do they have a special place that they hangout?
I hope this helps. The plus side to all of this is that every writer is different in some way. Your style will be unique to you and you can figure out ways to solve these moments of “*where*” it’s taking place.” I hope you find a way to get around it, but let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.
Settings are a weak point for me too. I actually picture them in my head, but don’t get them on the page. I’m often awed by other writers’ ability to use the setting to showcase their characters’ emotions and thoughts. I mean, we all react to hot, cold, colors, smells, etc and it’s cool when those things mix in with character development and the plot.
However, I’m terrible at it.
I found your blog from the GUTGAA event. I couldn’t resist checking out a few blogs before the event started and following them as well.
I liked your voice, I could totally relate to your words. Settings is difficult as all get up for me.
Russo @ http://www.threegnomes.blogspot.com
I think your last line kind of summed it up. For me setting isn’t an issue, I can always visualize that. It’s just getting what’s in my head across to the reader. If only people could just watch the movie in my brain it would all work out.
BTW, I’m a new follower 🙂