Setting as Character

Character development is among the most important elements of story creation. I'm a choosy reader to begin with and most of the books I've read have a really well developed cast of characters. Many authors have even developed the character of the non-human friend, a.k.a. pet, in some fun and interesting way. But I've found fewer who bring their settings to life in the same way they do their characters. I admit, it's a challenge. But when authors try to propel the reader into a vivid setting that comes to life around them, it's well worth the effort.

As younger reader I didn't like stories that focused a lot of attention on the setting. When I was about thirteen I remember abandoning my first efforts to read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier because I was so tired of reading about the flowers. At that age I wanted a book that got on with the action I wanted it to be very plot driven, even if it was at the expense of the other story elements. Don't ask me where I got my taste in reading.

Fortunately, my reading has matured a lot over the years. I like to believe that I look for books that are really well written. Books with a complex plot that engages me on more levels than just a simple sequence of action. I like plots and subplots, a good measure of internal and external conflict, and, of course, I still like - no, love - the action. But I've come to appreciate the other aspects of the story much more than I did before. Now you could even say I need them to feel that a book was a really satisfying read.

I love the imagery some authors use to give readers a sense of place and time and the expressions some people come up with to convey a feeling or a mood. I love the words on the page.

The words become imagery and the imagery propels me into the story. What could be better than to be transported from where you sit, quietly reading a novel, into the heart of the story - not merely the action, but the entire story.

To do this, and do it really well, I think the setting plays a key role. In some way the where and when need to come to life, just as the people walking around in the novel, the setting needs to become a character - fully developed and well-rounded.

I felt this sense of character a little as I read Nemesis by Jo Nesbo. While Harry Hole sat looking over Oslo and out to the sea, I remember stopping once and just enjoying the view that was ahead of Harry and I. It was beautiful. Most recently I felt it as David walked around the city of Barcelona in The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. In The Angel's Game even David's house stood out as a character. And yes, in a later reading of Rebecca the flower's along the drive did help to bring Manderley to life in a way that that an impatient, adventure-seeking 13-year-old had missed. Each of these the authors really tried to give me a sense of place and to breath life into the setting.

In the past year or so I discovered Louise Ure. I started with The Fault Tree, and loved it so much that I read Liars Anonymous right when it came out. I've yet to read Forcing Amaryllis, but look forward to doing so. Ure has an amazing way of bring the Arizona desert to life. As I read her words I didn't really notice what was happening until I'd realize how real it was and how I could feel the desert surrounding me.

I've tried in some of my work to bring the setting to life and I hope I've been successful, at least in some degree. I don't think it's as easy as it sounds, at least not doing a good job of it. But I'm so grateful for the authors who've set beautiful examples to enjoy and learn from.