Build Your Story: 8 Strategies for Writing Innovative Setting with Impact
Introduction Landmarks
Geography alone does not build up
atmosphere and emotional connections in our worlds. Instead we also need to
understand landmarks as potential maps and mirrors in order to recognize,
choose, and transform their unique characteristics to our story. Our landmarks
then become a natural part of our world rather than a stage prop of location.
An historic landmark can be public
or private, such as a town cemetery or a century old family plot on an estate.
It may be internationally known like a tourist site of the Eiffel Tower, or
local as a sculptured statue in a neighborhood park. It can be natural or
man-made.
A commemorative landmark can carry
a sense of pride by one faction of a population and a long held grief of
failure for others. An historic landmark may have been created by whimsy such
as oddly shaped trees or odd-shaped dwellings, or a serious preventive measure
against loss of life as so many well-known lighthouses have provided.
An historic landmark can be of
value to one individual or to a nation or to a continent. The fact that it carries a history
makes it personal whether the reaction to it is positive or negative or
neutral. Sometimes the landmarks can just be subtle reminders and other times a
key influence. They have the ability to influence theme and character, plot
threads and setting.
The key is a personal impact that
invades, lingers, and reacts.
Exercise:
As you choose or incorporate specific landmarks
(fictional or real) for your novel world, especially those that will remain
constant through a series, begin asking these questions of each key spot you
choose.
1.
Is it natural?
2.
Is it man-made?
3.
What is the history behind it?
4.
How might different characters personally react towards it?
5.
Is it considered to be holy ground? Why?
6.
If so, is it open to everyone to visit or considered
forbidden?
Share: Which
characteristic makes you curious? Why?
Read deep, marcy
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