tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post5943567798730440576..comments2024-03-28T13:35:16.194-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: 5 Tips for Writing Better SettingsJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-39217861313372454222023-10-22T14:40:41.208-04:002023-10-22T14:40:41.208-04:00Nice and interesting post,I appreciate your hard w...Nice and interesting post,I appreciate your hard work,keep uploading more, Thank you for sharing valuable information <a href="https://www.fiverr.com/abdullahrash103/create-seo-blog-posts-and-articles-as-your-content-writer" rel="nofollow">content writer</a>Abdullahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04595193592468044095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-62426739998434419842016-02-12T07:59:50.432-05:002016-02-12T07:59:50.432-05:00it also tends to eat up much of our free time. As ...it also tends to eat up much of our free time. As a writer, <a href="http://www.viralservice.com/understanding-a-good-seo-article-writing/" rel="nofollow">http://www.viralservice.com/understanding-a-good-seo-article-writing/</a><br />jadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13835847777966515522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-89737682790555641202014-10-05T07:50:30.949-04:002014-10-05T07:50:30.949-04:00On the other hand, if you are fed up with having y...On the other hand, if you are fed up with having your residence sit available available on the industry day after day with no delivers, you need to consider using residence on the internet revenue on the internet to help get your residence off of the industry. <a href="http://www.quickmove.com/" rel="nofollow">Cash for homes</a><br />Zackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09875668972227675257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-18510778226196902982014-09-13T02:50:42.581-04:002014-09-13T02:50:42.581-04:00It is our intention to drive the first Electric Va...It is our intention to drive the first Electric Van for approximately 90 days and discover all of the nuances that might come with an EV or if there are any design changes we would like to have included with future vans,” said Robichaud. <a href="https://www.rebelmouse.com/oldschoolnewbodypdfreview/" rel="nofollow">steve holman f4x</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11631842016689211496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-2547793399624933272013-12-29T15:57:57.668-05:002013-12-29T15:57:57.668-05:00I think about the character's feelings during ...I think about the character's feelings during the scene and then ask myself questions like,"which objects are metaphors for his feelings" or I think about the atmosphere in the street or room and how it could affect his or her actions.<br />I'm always trying to build a consistent setting around my characters - city life on the street and interiors.Seanhttp://www.wickedscribe.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-61176258924116138142013-07-09T17:35:18.076-04:002013-07-09T17:35:18.076-04:00Great post! I've tended to teetering back and ...Great post! I've tended to teetering back and forth. It depends on how much detail I have created beforehand. For example, my underground city got tons of detail, so much that I had to tie them in with events to avoid infodumping. On the other hand, my plain-Jane town has few details and a lot more events.<br /><br />I'm finding a good rule of thumb is to limit the number of details. Create extra details and pick the details that do the most in terms of character development and plot motion. You know your writing is good when you have to take out good stuff because all you have room for is great stuff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-56132065542768952832011-08-30T16:11:52.004-04:002011-08-30T16:11:52.004-04:00I try to notice how the authors that I read use de...I try to notice how the authors that I read use descriptions and detail like this. It's sometimes hard to see it in my own writing, but when I notice it in books that I read, that gives me ideas. I've seen examples of everything that you list here in books that I've read recently. Great tips.Bonnie Way aka the Koala Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11601183003333359031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-32360605902332509282011-04-05T09:20:08.740-04:002011-04-05T09:20:08.740-04:00"When we’re judicious with what we describe, ..."When we’re judicious with what we describe, it helps build suspense."<br /><br />Wow, this I'd never heard before, but it seems like a critical piece of narrative description technique. I will have to ponder this more thoroughly.<br /><br />Great post, as always!M.E. Summerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721635796108451198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-61754496075299900762011-04-03T16:12:57.572-04:002011-04-03T16:12:57.572-04:00Great point, Sophie. There are some stories that a...Great point, Sophie. There are some stories that are technically correct, but don't grip. That's so true. I can see how that would be easier to spot in a short story. I think the "grip factor" would be harder to judge in the first 15 pages of a full length novel. Usually if a novelist has their technique perfected, they will open with a hook. But whether they can carry that hook beyond the first chapter and throughout the book is another matter altogether.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-71600759191247576862011-04-03T09:44:21.679-04:002011-04-03T09:44:21.679-04:00Hi Jody. I recently judged a short story contest f...Hi Jody. I recently judged a short story contest for 'Inkspill Magazine' (www.inkspillmagazine.com) and I can totally empathise with the issues you've raised. <br /><br />The hardest aspect to criticise, I found, was when there was nothing technically wrong with the story, yet it just doesn't grip you as a reader... Doesn't stay in your head and make you think, or provide an emotional impact. Elements of originality and resonance are important in short stories, I think. It's hard to highlight exactly how to achieve that, though.Sophie Playlehttp://www.sophieplayle.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-83686655175021338172011-03-31T22:28:02.293-04:002011-03-31T22:28:02.293-04:00GREAT advice Jody!!!! This is so totally one of my...GREAT advice Jody!!!! This is so totally one of my problems! I am one of those "plot" driven writers that doesn't have enough setting and I have to really work to add it. I think I get irritated when I read and there is TOO much setting (were I want to yawn and say get on with it) that I tend to go the opposite direction when I write. GREAT tips again... THANKS!Krista Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772828583379163612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-33189275180390880682011-03-31T15:59:14.099-04:002011-03-31T15:59:14.099-04:00Hi Jody -
I tend to err on the side of too little...Hi Jody -<br /><br />I tend to err on the side of too little setting. Your post gave me some great ideas on how to achieve a balance.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-42924299329892401962011-03-31T11:40:18.562-04:002011-03-31T11:40:18.562-04:00These are great tips. I tend to write too little d...These are great tips. I tend to write too little description and then I have to go back and weave it in. But I have learned that it is very valuable to setting the proper pace, as well as to keeping the reader grounded.India Drummondhttp://www.indiadrummond.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-47930149035862938002011-03-31T06:21:34.780-04:002011-03-31T06:21:34.780-04:00I'm very visual when I write. I create the sce...I'm very visual when I write. I create the scene in my mind as if I was looking at a movie, then try to find the most vivid words I can to describe what I see. I think I do fall into the habit of re-using certain stock phrases though.Paul Anthony Shortthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14393249001158230985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-30018300262034442512011-03-30T21:23:03.130-04:002011-03-30T21:23:03.130-04:00I love to go all out with the setting at first and...I love to go all out with the setting at first and then slash and burn. My weakness is that I get too attached to description and I often leave what can be cut. LOVE-LOVE-LOVE similes and metaphors. They are such fun to craft. Super useful post. Thank you.Leslie S. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122865337924270039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-12192929882437328412011-03-30T21:10:18.632-04:002011-03-30T21:10:18.632-04:00Great Blogspot!
I pinned you to my blog for linki...Great Blogspot!<br /><br />I pinned you to my blog for linking back.<br /><br />Thanks for the information and advice. <br /><br />I never tire of learning more about the craft. <br /><br />LucyLucinda Bilyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441319275880854344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-2787356533983267132011-03-30T20:29:29.785-04:002011-03-30T20:29:29.785-04:00This is an excellent post, Jody! I need to be deli...This is an excellent post, Jody! I need to be deliberate about including details of setting. In my first drafts I tend to be focused on the character and plot, so setting is skimpy. During revision I stop at the beginning of each scene and try to visualize the setting from the character's perspective. Different characters will experience their settings differently, and notice different things. That's when I add more details.Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-90692922879608183442011-03-30T20:13:25.058-04:002011-03-30T20:13:25.058-04:00Hi Jody. Great list. I'm not sure where I fall...Hi Jody. Great list. I'm not sure where I fall in terms of too much or too little with regard to setting. I do focus on setting during revisions and ask myself if the setting details I'm using are helping to move the story forward and/or develop character.Paul Grecihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11340974339238587138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-72340760848978975962011-03-30T14:39:51.556-04:002011-03-30T14:39:51.556-04:00Keli asked: "How long did it take you to lear...Keli asked: "How long did it take you to learn how to bring your settings to life using the great tips you shared in this post, Jody? Did it come naturally, or do you have pitiful early efforts forever hidden from others?"<br /><br />My answer: Hi Keli! Oh I have plenty of pitiful efforts hidden away forever! :-) And quite honestly, I'm still working on each point. As tend to end up more like Laura above--often going more sparse on my first draft, and adding in more details during edits (even after my wonderful crit partner reads it!). And as you know, I lean toward more action anyway. So I think adding setting will always be something I have to be conscious to take the time to do.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-10273990993822522232011-03-30T14:28:35.016-04:002011-03-30T14:28:35.016-04:00Love these points. Working to implement them all! ...Love these points. Working to implement them all! Will let you know how it turns out. :)Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4729357862035290772011-03-30T12:50:09.885-04:002011-03-30T12:50:09.885-04:00I have so much to learn! Thanks for these posts!I have so much to learn! Thanks for these posts!Kristy Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816266165596643837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-69543881272619154242011-03-30T12:11:14.214-04:002011-03-30T12:11:14.214-04:00I'm one of those plot-driven writers that you ...I'm one of those plot-driven writers that you describe! My stories tend to be heavy on action and mystery, so I just want to get to the next event. Fortunately, there are two people in my writing critique group who are excellent at scene-setting, and one in particular is also good at pinpointing the details about setting that would improve my stories. Looking at my work through their eyes is helping me improve.Julie Nilsonhttp://julienilson.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-73105452867051462592011-03-30T12:07:09.846-04:002011-03-30T12:07:09.846-04:00I'm reading this year's Newbery, MOON OVER...I'm reading this year's Newbery, MOON OVER MANIFEST, and it has a wonderful sense of place. I feel like I know this small Kansas town and the people who call it home.Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597510685273079757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-21248719992778408362011-03-30T12:03:18.838-04:002011-03-30T12:03:18.838-04:00Learning how much description to use to establish ...Learning how much description to use to establish the setting without overwhelming the reader can be a challenge. In my early works, I overdid the visual and used very little of the other senses. Over time, I found a balance that works for me.<br /><br />How long did it take you to learn how to bring your settings to life using the great tips you shared in this post, Jody? Did it come naturally, or do you have pitiful early efforts forever hidden from others?Keli Gwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13236868298400593688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-33250275335043649452011-03-30T12:03:07.464-04:002011-03-30T12:03:07.464-04:00I love reading about and writing about settings. ...I love reading about and writing about settings. Maybe too much. I'd say the toughest part for me is adding in taste.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.com