World-building and setting are crucial elements of any work of fiction. They allow writers to create unique, immersive worlds that readers can get lost in. However, creating a compelling and believable setting is not always easy. In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips and techniques for world-building and setting in fiction writing and look at examples from some of the best-selling novels of all time.
1. Establish the Rules of Your World
One of the most important aspects of world-building is establishing the rules of your world. These rules can include everything from the laws of physics to the social norms of the society you’re creating. By establishing these rules early on, you can create a more cohesive and believable world that readers can easily understand and become invested in.
An excellent example of a novel that establishes the rules of its world early on is J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien’s world is filled with complex societies, different languages, and mythical creatures. Still, he takes the time to establish the rules of his world early on, ensuring that readers understand the different races and their motivations. By doing so, he creates a world that feels grounded and believable.
2. Use Setting to Reveal Character
Setting can be a powerful tool for revealing character. By showing how characters interact with their environment, you can give readers insight into their personalities, motivations, and beliefs. Setting can also be used to create tension and conflict, as characters are forced to confront challenges within their environment.
One example of a novel that uses setting to reveal character is Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. The novel is set in a dystopian future where women are treated as property. The setting is used to reveal the character’s fear, desperation, and will to survive. Through her descriptions of the setting and the characters’ interactions with it, Atwood creates a world that feels oppressive and claustrophobic, which adds to the emotional impact of the story.
3. Use Setting to Create Mood and Atmosphere
Setting can also be used to create mood and atmosphere. By describing the setting in vivid detail, you can create a sense of tension, suspense, or even humor. Setting can be used to create a particular mood that sets the tone for the story.
One example of a novel that uses setting to create mood and atmosphere is Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a flu pandemic has wiped out most of humanity. Mandel uses the setting to create a sense of despair and hopelessness, with descriptions of empty highways and abandoned cities. However, she also uses the setting to create moments of beauty and hope, such as the traveling theater group that performs Shakespeare in the ruins of civilization.
4. Pay Attention to Detail
When it comes to world-building and setting, it’s the details that can make a world feel real and believable. By paying attention to small details, such as the clothing characters wear or the food they eat, you can create a world that feels fully realized and immersive.
One example of a novel that pays attention to detail in its world-building is Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. The novel is set in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion and the subsequent civil war. Hosseini pays attention to small details, such as the types of food characters eat and the traditional clothing they wear. By doing so, he creates a world that feels authentic and fully realized.
5. Use Setting to Advance the Plot
Setting can also be used to advance the plot of your story. By using the environment to create challenges and obstacles, you can create a more engaging and suspenseful story. Setting can also be used to create opportunities for character development and growth.
One example of a novel that uses setting to advance the plot is Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing. The novel follows two half-sisters, one of whom is sold into slavery and sent to the United States, while the other stays in Africa. Through their journeys, Gyasi uses the setting to create challenges and obstacles for the characters. The slave trade and the plantation system become significant barriers for the character in America, while the tribal warfare and the British colonialism create challenges for the character in Africa. The setting also creates opportunities for character development and growth, as both characters confront their respective environments and try to find a sense of identity and belonging.
6. Consider the Historical and Cultural Context
When world-building, it’s essential to consider the historical and cultural context of your setting. By doing so, you can create a world that feels authentic and believable. Research the customs, beliefs, and practices of the time and place you’re writing about, and use that information to inform your world-building.
One example of a novel that considers the historical and cultural context of its setting is Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. The novel is set in Nigeria during the late 19th century, at the height of European colonization. Achebe uses the setting to explore the clash of cultures between the Igbo people and the British colonizers. He pays attention to details such as language, religion, and customs, and uses them to create a world that feels authentic and fully realized.
7. Consider the Impact of the Environment on Characters
The environment can have a significant impact on characters, both physically and emotionally. By considering how the environment affects your characters, you can create a world that feels dynamic and engaging. Think about the weather, the geography, and the overall climate of your setting, and use those factors to create challenges and obstacles for your characters.
One example of a novel that considers the impact of the environment on its characters is Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where the environment has been ravaged by an unspecified disaster. McCarthy uses the setting to create a sense of isolation and desperation for the characters, as they struggle to survive in a world where food and water are scarce, and danger is everywhere.
Conclusion
World-building and setting are essential elements of fiction writing. By paying attention to the details of your world and using setting to reveal character, create mood and atmosphere, advance the plot, and consider the historical and cultural context, you can create a world that feels authentic and fully realized. The examples we’ve looked at here show how world-building and setting can be used to create engaging and immersive stories that readers will remember long after they’ve finished reading. So, keep these tips in mind as you embark on your next writing project, and you’ll be sure to ace world-building and setting in your fiction writing.
