Set the mood

Setting is often described in pretty straightforward terms. Where is the story happening? Simple enough, right? But setting is a whole lot more than just a general description. It encompasses several factors that add richer detail and depth to any story.

Sometimes the setting of a story will be relatively unimportant, but in a series like The Hunger Games, setting is everything. It's not necessary to build an entire world for every story you write, but it's worth having a general idea of where your story is taking place because it can add dimension to the story and give you clues about the attitudes and personalities of the characters. How do they each relate to their environment?

I like making rudimentary sketches of important locations in my story, like a character's apartment or landmarks in a city. The drawings aren't super detailed, but they help me visualize the place I'm talking about, maintain consistent descriptions, and incorporate a stronger sense of place.

Here are various things that I like to consider when creating a killer setting for my story.

Weather. Does your story take place during a sticky summer, heavy with humid air that immediately causes hair to frizz? Maybe a blistery winter, where dirty snow banks line sidewalks and people's noses are constantly red?

Season. Coinciding with weather is the season. Are there vibrant autumn leaves decorating tree limbs and pathways? Do people have Christmas lights dangling from their roofs? Maybe July 4th is just around the corner?

Smell. Utilize all five sense to set a scene. Does the putrid stench of sewage pierce the air? Maybe the soft scent of pine surrounds the main character's cabin? Or maybe your story is set in a sleepy beach town that smells like the ocean, salty and a tinge fishy.

Community. Think about how close-knit the area is. Does everyone know everyone or is the environment primarily composed of strangers? Do people live on sprawling acres of land or in closely-situated apartments?

Diversity. Is the area predominantly one race, culture, or ethnic group? Are there lots of varying skin colors, opinions, and beliefs?

Socioeconomic status. Is this an affluent area or a community stricken with poverty? Maybe most people are average, middle-class families or minimum-wage-making singles. Is there a diverse mix of economic situations within the neighborhood?

Vibe. Everywhere has a "vibe." An old, WASPY gated community that boasts a lavish country club where people golf and play tennis. A thriving, hipster section of a city, full of new restaurants with ironic names. A run-down neighborhood that has seen better days with chainlink fences and long-abandoned factories, now decorated with elaborate graffiti art.

A dull suburb with Targets and chain restaurants where nothing exciting ever happens.

There are a few books and stories that do a great job of utilizing setting and letting it be an integral part of the story.

Lost in the City by Edward P. Jones is a collection of unrelated short stories that take place around Washington D.C.

1984 by George Orwell tells the story of a crazy, dystopian world with entirely new words and thought processes.

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter is another really great example of setting. He does an amazing job of making the reader feel like they're in a tiny, Italian fishing town or on the backlots of Hollywood.

Even a series like Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegler creates a strong sense of place with the frequent, and almost insider, references to New York City's Upper East and West Sides.

Setting doesn't have to be the most important part of the story, but it should definitely be an important part of the story.