Hi - this is my first post but I've been lurking about here for a while reading the forums before deciding to sign up for the trial membership. I'm looking forward to joining in.

I'm writing a novel that contains two murders but they take place off-stage, so to speak, and the narrative is less concerned with the murders than the effect they have on the mind of the murderer. I am writing about evasion and denial and guilt and I've tried to describe my work as less of a who-dunnit (as it's the first person narrator) and more of a why-dunnit or psychological novel. Plot-wise it's all going swimmingly but I am having real trouble getting my setting right - parts of the novel are set in Fleetwood and parts in Cumbria - I feel this is reasonably unique (seeing as so many contemporary novels are set in London) and because of this I want the feel of the places to be very real and vivid. I like reading books where I can put myself into the atmosphere and really feel a place come to life and I'd like to write a book like this but it's not happening. I've done a couple of research trips so I have the information but I am finding it hard to weave it into the action without it sounding like I've cut and pasted a holiday brochure into my text.

How do you do it?

B

B,

I understand what you mean. Most of my fiction is set around the area of Lancaster and Morecambe Bay, because I know the area well and am very fond of it. I can’t tell from your profile where you are but you say you’ve made research trips. My view is that it’s vitally important to visit the areas in all seasons and weathers. You spot so many little details that don’t come across in a website or whatever. Get a local street map and check the local papers on their websites. Get to really know the area.

The other point is that you can leave out lots of details. As long as you are aware of them, they will come through. The biggest problem, in my view, is writers trying too hard to impress their readers with their local knowledge. The ultimate answer, of course, is to post your work on here and let us help you with it.

Dee

I agree with Dee.
For me also, the setting is very important to get right as I am writing about places most readers will not know, so it;s up to me to get the atmosphere. The way I do it is simply to FEEL it.. to close my eyes and remember that place, experience it deep inside as if I were there myself. It's not so much the exact description that conveys the setting tot he reader, but the atmosphere that you convey through your words.
What I think is that we have to load our words with atmosphere by conjuring up th eplace in our minds, Thenthe reader will "get it" even if you leave out some detail.

By the way, I forgot to say welcome, and hope you enjoy yoru trial and decide tobecome a new member! I'm pretty new myself and it's a great place to exchange notes with other writers.

Thanks for your comments - Dee, the idea of looking in local newspapers wasn't one that I had thought of but of course now you mention it I can't think of a better way to pick up the feel of a place - I'm in the Northwest so going to Fleetwood for the day is no problem, and have visited Cumbria a lot - am definatley intending to make more trips the next time it's raining though!
Aruna - I think you hit the nail on the head: I have so much factual info that it is more a case of what to leave out than what to put in - because my first person narrator is a local she will obviously know about the history of the place but it's unlikely she'll be spouting about it in every conversation.

Thanks, B

P.S I like Lancaster too - and Morcambe bay shrimps... yummy!
P.P.S Can trial members post work or is that only for full members?

B, as a trial member, you can post one piece of work. Let us know if there’s something specific you’d like comments on – such as the details of your setting - and remember to say what level of comment you want.

Dee

excellent - I'm working on a section now so I will upload it when I'm done - possibly in the next few days, teething baby notwithstanding.

Thanks again,
B

Aah, the tricky matter of setting. It really is hard to achieve the right balance, especially when the setting is well known. A part of the book I'm working on recently is set in London, and I have to constantly make sure I'm not bombarding the reader with details.

The way I've tried to overcome this is by incorporating some London landmarks into the actual storyline. This is fairly easy to do as it is a fantasy, but I'm sure it could work reasonably just about anywhere - a place where something memorable happned that the MC recalls, or a rendevouz at a certain statue etc...That way it comes across as understated rather than naming a list of streets etc. I know I still have work to do myself, but I hope this helps.

JB

My difficuly is the opposite - I'm writinabout a lcae that few of the british reading public have visited or can imagine so I have to be careful about overdescription, and too much exposition. It can sound artificial.

My mum's from Cumbria. I've been there a lot and am going there again next month, so let me know if you've got any questions (I'm more than happy to research pub prices...)

Cath