StoryCraft Novel Challenge Day 14: Is your setting the right setting for this novel?
Yesterday, we talked a lot about how the triangle of story elements–plot, character, and world–work together to build the most dynamic story.
Before we advance into the depths of worldbuilding, we want to make sure you have the right setting for your story.
It might seem like a simple choice. If you’re writing a medical drama, the setting would naturally be a hospital. If you’re writing a contemporary love story, maybe a small town makes the most sense. The choices we make should never be arbitrary, though. Take the time to make sure that this important choice, the backdrop for all of our scenes, is the right one before we move on.
Just as we’ve asked ourselves questions about how our plot, characters, and world can all influence each other, we should be asking ourselves what kind of setting is best for the story. Is the wide fantasy world you’ve been dreaming up the best place for a political intrigue drama? Should you build a massive world, or laser in on a smaller, more specific area?
This will come down to the balance of your plot and characters. What is the journey you’re taking the reader on, and how will this setting prime you for the most amount of conflict? This is also a great place to start talking to other writers and building your feedback team. What do your beta readers think? Which world excites them the most?
Remember, the best version of the story will be the one that feels right for your characters and plot, but will also provide you with the highest stakes and the most conflict. Be careful not to make arbitrary choices here, because they may come back to bite you later.
If you’re looking to explore this deeper, our foundational online course, StoryCraft: Writing Your Novel, is currently in Beta! You can save $150 with SCBETA
As always, share your progress with #StoryCraftNovelChallenge
Happy Writing,
Jess and Theo