The Setting.
Every book has one. Some are fictional. Some are real. But all are essential to the story and can help bring the story alive.
So how do authors choose settings? Well, I asked a few friends and I’ll also tell you how I chose the setting of the manuscript I’m currently writing. So let’s get started with how authors choose “The Setting.” *Giveaway info will be at the bottom of the post.
Award-winning author, Sarah Monzon says:
So for the last few years I’ve been writing stories in the locations that we’ve been stationed in. Booknerds and Boyfriends I wrote while stationed on the Olympic Peninsula of WA, and Sewing in SoCal series I set in Southern California while we’ve been stationed here at Camp Pendleton.
If you haven’t read either series, be sure to look them up on her website.
USA Today Bestselling author, Jaycee Weaver says:
Choosing a setting is a no-brainer for me most of the time. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, so I set most of my books here because it’s underrepresented in fiction.
As for specifics like which part of town they live in or what places they go on dates or hang out in, I try to mix it up while highlighting some of my favorite places in town. It’s a subversive tourism effort, honestly.
Lol!
Jaycee Weaver has so many good books to choose from that are set in Albuquerque. You can find more information at her website.
But wait! I have quotes from more author friends.
Mikal Dawn, author of Count Me In says:
I dream up an idea–usually it’s just a one-line hook it glimmer of something–then I play with it and see where it lands setting-wise. The last story I wrote (The Fix Up in The 80s Rom-Com Club collection) didn’t reveal its setting until I was one or two chapters in! I had to go back and fill it back in.
Other times, however, I LOVE using the setting as a character and dream up a plot that will work around the setting. My first book could only have taken place in the Pacific Northwest.
Be sure to check out her website for more info on her fun, inspirational novels and The 80s Rom-Com collection. It’s sure to be a blast!
Teresa Tysinger, author of the Laurel Cove series says:
I decide on settings based on places I love (Burnsville, NC that inspired my Laurel Cove series). Places that bring me peace, comfort, or are beautiful. Sometimes a setting serves a purpose in the story, like Southport, NC worked for Gwen and the Three Dates in OUAS because Gwen was obsessed with romance movies like the ones filmed there.
And I can attest that her series definitely brings peace, comfort, and celebrates the beauty of life. Check out her website for more info.
As for me. I have a few different ways I like to go about choosing a setting. You see, I like to travel. However, my pocketbook doesn’t always support my dreams. So I choose a different location for each standalone/series location in attempts to explore the world around me, if only through research. In my Maple Run series, I was inspired by an old barn I saw while driving through Loudoun County, Virginia. It only made sense that I create my fictional town of Maple Run to be set there.
When I wrote my Freedom Lake series, it was because I found an article telling how African Americans use to travel to Black only vacation spots. After looking at a list of those historical places, I settled on Indiana and create the fictional town of Freedom Lake.
Other times, I choose to use a real location. My Faith & Fortune series was set in New York City. For that, I used a different approach. I picked four cities I thought were the very definition of cities and could be a spot where famous people resided and asked for my Facebook followers to vote on. They choose NYC and that’s where I set the series.
I also started a series for a couple of Love Inspired books I’m writing. I knew what the characters would be doing and knew I wanted a small-town location. So I perused the map of the U.S. and kind of eenie minie moed it. :) I landed in Arkansas and the first book in that collection, Her Christmas Redemption, will be set there.
As for my current work-in-progress, it’s about a Hollywood actor and the hairdresser he employs for his mother. It only made sense to set the book in Los Angeles where I can explore the glitz and glam of the area. I’ve already found a few people to pick their brains about living in that area. I’m super excited to finish writing this book.
For a chance to enter a giveaway for my next Love Inspired book, An Unlikely Alliance, releasing June 28th, tell me what makes a place a favorite setting for you. Comment by April 11th 11:59pm EDT, and I’ll choose a random winner on April 12th. Please note this is a print copy and for US mailing address entrants only. (Sorry international friends.)
I really enjoy a variety of settings. I do favor warmer climates or times of the year as I am not a fan of winter but even so I have enjoyed books that were set in Alaska.
I like this K-9 companion series as I love dogs so thank you for the chance.
Warm caring neighbors, Small town with little crime.
Wonderful characters! Great post—I always assumed the setting was based on where the author wanted to travel or the type of town they wanted to live in,
I enjoy a variety of settings but I love when they are in my state of WV. Blessings
I love settings, but I am more of a character driven reader. I love reading books about beautiful outdoor, rural locations, but I have to love the characters and as long as I love them, I read books set in most any setting.
I like warmer climate settings as well, though I do read the colder ones in winter.
That sounds wonderful.
I think every author chooses for different reasons.
It’s always cool to read a book in your home state/country.
I can completely agree with that.
I enjoy reading about settings that I’ve visited or am familiar with.
I can enjoy almost any setting if the characters and storyline build and hold my interest. Yet if I were to pick one it would be a small town showing the way they all pull together to help and be there for each other. I like this to be where they have all seasons as well and having a dog in a story is always huge for me. These come from the fact that I grew up in a small town in Michigan (with a dog!) and loved almost everything about it! It is true that everyone knows your business but you never need a helping hand without multiple people there to offer.
It was fun to read how each of you come up with your settings, thanks!
I like warner climates but I will read ones in the snow.
I like a variety of settings! However, small town feel is great, even in a big city! I like places that I’d like to visit in real life. I went to Savannah because of Eugenia Price’s books. I like places that have old houses that I can go admire.
I like details. It’s one thing to state where the setting is but to really describe it brings it alive to me.
I like adventurers settings. Your book sounds like a great read and I love your sweet looking cover . Have a great weekend and stay safe.
I enjoy small town settings and beach settings. Book series that feature settings like this makes it feel more real.
That’s always fun.
I like the atmosphere of community as well.
Same
Old houses are great!
Yes. Love when authors do that.
Enjoy your weekend too!
Beach settings are fun!
I think a favorite setting in a story is the one that makes me wish it was real and/or want to visit it someday. :)
any kind of setting
What makes a setting for me is some place that I may feel as if I am comfortable or at home. It is more like a feeling than anything else. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
I like a variety of settings, but really enjoy it when a story takes place in an area that I am familiar with.
Yes! So true.
That works.
Blessings to you too.
That’s always fun.
I enjoy reading books set in a country other than the United States and being able to explore a little bit along with the characters. However, having said that, the overall storyline and character development is almost always more important to me than the setting.
I like when the setting offers a feeling of home and community. It doesn’t always need to be a small town though. Your faith and fortune series did a great job of creating that sense of community in a large city.
I think if you can describe the setting well enough to paint pictures in my mind about it…..ie:what you see around you, favorite restaurants/ coffee shops/ bookstores/ parks or etc, then that’s what makes a place my favorite to “visit” through your book. Like you, I love traveling, but my pocket book doesn’t allow for it, so I get to have my traveling bug feed by a writer. Also, if I can connect with your characters & “walk in their shoes”, then I can experience everything they are (soft grass/sand under their feet, cool water on their toes, the soft breeze that brings a fresh smell, etc).
Anything I can “see” or “feel” through the writers description is my favorite setting….no matter if it’s small town or big city, beach front or desert, open spaces or in a crowd of people and anything in between :-)
Small town & country area with romance makes me happy
What makes a good setting for me is somewhere I can live vicariously. Where there are enough details I can picture myself being there.
its interesting different settings become favourites. Janet Tronstads Dry Creek is a favourite and its more because of the people than anything else. I too love Alaska and I love Hawaii.
I remember reading a book set in Shiloh National Park and I still want to visit because of the book.
Its more the story and the people than just the place. I remember an Aussie author Meredith Resce wrote a book Cora villa and its based on a real place. I really want to see the place.
I love to explore new places!
I think it’s a combination of everything-characters, plot, etc.-that makes it special.
International reads are always great imo.
Thank you!
I love this! Now to make sure I incorporate the senses.
Definitely a recipe for romance.
Agreed
Agreed. You can’t have the story without the people as well. They both have a hand in making the setting come alive.
Agreed!
Somewhere beautiful, has castles with rescued animals like Cats & Dogs.
Love books like this
OH I would love the opportunity to read & review the book in print format.
Thanks!
I love books that allow me to visit places I haven’t been yet, especially if their set in other countries. I also enjoy beach stories or pretty much any place warm and relaxing. Its fun, and much cheaper, to travel via books.