The Character of Setting

with guest blogger Alli Sinclair

Have you ever found yourself reading a story and been so immersed that the sights, smells, and sounds feel real? That you could vividly describe that world, even though you’d never physically been there? I adore stories like this and ever since I was a kid, I’ve hunted down books that would transport me to far off lands, explore an array of cultures, or experience a moment in history I wouldn’t normally get the chance to (unless, of course, my time machine finally works).

When I first started writing I realised characters don’t have to be human (or paranormal creatures), and they can take the form of setting—landscapes, eras, environment, weather, political climates, and cultures to name a few. Settings add complex layers, enrich stories, and can steer a tale in a different direction. Think of your favourite story and imagine it in a different era of time or country or culture. Would it be the same? Rural Romance wouldn’t work as well if it was set in, say, Antarctica or the Pacific Islands. And disaster stories would be (wait for it …) a disaster (pun intended!) if there weren’t non-human characters causing mayhem—for example, an earthquake, meteor, flood, storm or deadly virus. Settings add forward momentum to a story and can make an ordinary story extraordinary.

Settings such as culture, landscapes, environment, history and time can take on human characteristics—they can have flaws; shady pasts; evoke love and longing and challenge the human characters in ways only non-humans can. They can also have a profound influence on the actions and feelings of human characters.

Of course, the physical landscape of a country is not the only setting a writer can work with. In my books I use dance and music as a character. I chose dances that are an intrinsic part of a country’s culture—tango and Argentina; flamenco and Spain; and the Ballets Russes in Paris. These dances are so tightly woven into the country’s cultural history and identity that it would be impossible to set these stories elsewhere. And that’s the secret to knowing if setting is a character—the story won’t be the same if you moved it to another culture, location or time period.

Without the aid of unlimited funds (research grant, anyone?) to travel the globe and experience a new culture, how can authors bring authenticity to their stories? Networking is high on the list, and with the aid of social media and the Internet, it’s not too hard to find an expert in the field of your chosen topic. Most people love talking about their passion and tend to be very giving and enthusiastic when a writer shows interest. I’ve been fortunate enough to find tango, flamenco, and ballet dancers who have happily given me their insights and experiences. They’ve also introduced me to experts in the culture and history of the country I’m writing about. It never hurts to ask, and often the person is flattered and happy to share their invaluable knowledge.

So writers, next time you sit down to work on a story, imagine it set in a different time period, culture or location. If the change in setting excites you, then get researching and you may just find a new way to tell your story. And readers, maybe next time you choose a book, go with one set in a destination or time period you wouldn’t normally read. Who knows, you may just find a ticket to a new and exciting world!

I love to love … stories! There’s nothing better than finding a book, movie, or TV show that captures the mind and heart.

I love to laugh … at myself! I’m one of the most accident prone people I know.

I love to learn … about new cultures and history. It reminds how humans across the centuries and from an array of nationalities are alike in so many ways but are also vastly different.

Alli Sinclair is the author of Luna Tango, the first in the Dance Card Series, published by Harlequin MIRA.

Flamenco Fire to be released (2015) and Turning Pointe (2016)

Website: www.allisinclair.com

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Twitter: http://twitter.com/allisinclair

And the winner is...

Last week we promised an Amazon gift voucher to one person who commented on our post. Many thanks to all of you who visited and joined in the conversations--it was so lovely to have you join us--but unfortunately there can only be one winner and the name drawn out of a hat (literally!) was... Marianne Therese. Congratulations! A $10 voucher will be winging its way to you very soon.