Using Setting to Add Intrigue and Suspense
When you convert setting into atmosphere, you’ll add delicious intrigue and suspense. Don’t be thinking of setting as an afterthought—it’s a crucial element in storytelling in all genres, from world-building in fantasy, horror, and cozy mysteries to capturing the essence of place in literary fiction, historical fiction, and memoir. By integrating sensory descriptions and meaningful cultural associations, your settings will come to life and add depth and richness to your stories.
Creating immersive experiences by adapting Jane K. Cleland’s four setting strategies enables you to set the stage for your stories, whether that stage is a gritty city past its prime or a charming small town on the coast—or anything in between. You’ll discover approaches to (1) create longing through juxtaposition of place and desire; (2) select locations that highlight character attributes like athleticism, bravery, or wit; (3) use sensory references to enable readers to fully engage with your locations; and (4) highlight those elements that are unusual, unfamiliar, intriguing, or dramatic.
If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.
Listen to the “Writer’s Digest Presents” Finale Now!
How to write a dramedy is more than simply mixing jokes with the tear-jerking moments. Combining comedy and drama is a tight-rope act that, if done wrong, can lead to tonal disparity within your story. But done right and you’ll have your readers going from crying to laughing (and crying laughing) page after page. Editor-in-chief Amy Jones and content editor Michael Woodson sit down with bestselling author Byron Lane (A Star Is Bored, Big Gay Wedding) to chat all about how to write a dramedy.
Ask the Expert: Speculative Fiction with Richard Thomas
This event is a Q&A and “Ask Me Anything” where you can ask Richard your questions about writing, editing, teaching, and publishing. Tips and tricks, dos and don’ts, industry secrets, you name it. If you like, you can even dial up one of your stories that is giving you trouble and ask specific questions about what might be wrong with it and how to fix it! We will be focusing particularly on speculative fiction, but general questions about writing and publishing are welcome as well.
Enter the Short Short Story Competition!
We’re looking for short fiction stories! Think you can write a winning story in 1,500 words or less? Enter the 24th Annual Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Competition for your chance to win $3,000 in cash, get published in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid trip to our ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference!
Deadline to enter: December 15, 2023