Monday 19 January 2015

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)
VIP club signup: http://allisinclairauthor.wordpress.com/newsletter/


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.  

20 comments:

  1. Hi Alli. So nice to have you here on the blog. Setting as character is something I came late to, not realising that a town, house or even a piece of furniture can tell their own story.

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    1. Hi Cassandra! Thank you for having me! Oh yes, I love how setting as a character can change the whole tone of a story - a chair, a mysterious book or amulet, a small town hiding a secret - such fun ways to put a spin on a story and really challenge other characters.

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  2. Congratulations Marianne on winning the $10 Amazon voucher.

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  3. Hi Alli. I, too, love immersing myself in the setting of each story. Settings make the story real and that's what we, as writers, aim for.

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    1. They do, don't they, Enisa? What I also love is if I learn something new about the setting. For example, a period of time I know nothing about but by the end of the book I feel like I've had insight as to what life was like for people in that culture and era.

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  4. Hey, Marianne. Congratulations on winning the $10 Amazon voucher. More books for your TBR pile!

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    1. Can I say a BIG thank You ladies for my Prize. And yes I have already spent it. lol.
      I bought Stone Castles & Black is the Colour. A big (hangs head in shame) surprise was I went to buy Scandalous Wager as well and Amazon said "you already have that in your Library" WHOOPS... soooo many to read and so little hours!
      Anyone noticed that the button we used to click to announce on F/B twitter etc - "I just bought...." is gone. No longer will they let you share the sale. Damn...

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    2. You're more than welcome Marianne! Great to see you've spent it already and on books by two wonderful Aussie romance authors. Enjoy!

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  5. Hi, Alli! First, I absolutely looooove Luna Tango and am excited to see that your next romance, Flamenco Fire, will be coming out soon!

    Second, you make an excellent point that setting and the culture inherent in a setting is like another character.

    Third, what if you're writing a book about a time and place but do not mention something well known to the culture? For example, my current wip is set in 10th C Wales. The Welsh are tenpin for their singing...and always have been. The lead character has a pronounced stutter and for that reason she wouldnt be caught dead singing. Should I or shouldn't I mention this in the book?

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    1. Hi Dee! Thank you and I am so glad you enjoyed Luna Tango! Flamenco Fire is in at my publisher so we'll know a release date soon!

      And Dee, I LOVE that idea you have! I actually love settings that change in a way the reader doesn't expect. I think it's that your lead character wants (or needs) to do the exact opposite to what her culture is renowned for. I can see loads of lovely conflict arising from that and I think this could really make your book stand out!

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  6. Hi Alli! Great post. Setting is such an important part of any story. The extent to which the sensory details in the different elements of a book's setting stimulate my senses can either make or break a story for me. I haven't yet read Luna Tango, but from your description it sounds like a book I'd really enjoy - another one for the ever-growing tbr pile. :)

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    1. Hello Marilyn! Oh yes, the sensory details can really make a difference. I think that's why I love books set in India. I've been there (but a looooooooong time ago) so when I read about certain aromas or sounds it takes me back to India and I am fully immersed in the story. And I have an ever increasing TBR pile as well! I will need a few lifetimes to get through it all!

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  7. Alli, I love the setting and details in a story. Otherwise, it's just all cardboard. That story really needs depth and all the senses to make it come alive. Congratulations on Luna Tango - another book for my TBR!

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    1. Hello Malvina! That's very true, a story is like cardboard if there's no setting description. And it doesn't have to be somewhere exotic, even a well-known and oft-written about city or small town can come alive if the writer taps into all the senses. How wonderful that writers can transport readers to different worlds by using all senses. And thank you for the congrats - that TBR pile is a readers dream and nightmare at the same time, huh? Dream because there are so many wonderful books out there but nightmare because finding the time we need to get through it is such a challenge!

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  8. Hi Allie, I know its Friday, I'm a bit slow this week but I have finally read your post. Your passion for writing shines through in all that you say and I agree, settings and descriptions are very important. They can make or break a story a lot of the time. I think it takes a talented writer to make you feel like you are there, in the story, with just the right amount of description. I find pages of description a little boring but other people love that. All very personal. Thanks for your post, its great.

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    1. Hi Karen! Yes, getting that fine balance between description and moving a story forward can be a challenge, but when an author gets it right, it can make a story unforgettable!

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  9. Hi Alli,
    I have to agree, when I first fell in love with writing, we still used Bankstreet writer on the Commadore '64 - lol. And the web was nowhere to be found - BUT for those less fortunate to travel the globe, we still had books for research.
    They were called Encyclopaedias :) and there were travel magazines for pictures. We had great Romance Novels. Put these 3 together and imagination did the rest.
    I've Just added Luna Tango to my Wish list - because it is easy to forget the ones you are interested in, in this busy world.

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    1. Thanks for sharing Marianne. We've come such a long way in a relatively short time when it comes to researching settings for our books, haven't we? I love that research part (even though it's a time-suck :) ).

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    2. Hi Marianne! Thank you so much for adding Luna Tango to your wishlist! I hope you get the chance to journey to Argentina - even if it's between the pages of Luna Tango! Research certainly has changed over the years but I still use books for some research - there's nothing better than being immersed in a book with colour photos and rich descriptions of culture and landscapes. Some of my most treasured possessions are photography books of far off lands that I can lose myself in for hours on end. And yes, imagination, along with research, is a great recipe for wonderful stories!

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