Writers often hear about the importance of setting, but actually seeing a scene the way your reader will is another matter entirely. Whether you’re describing a bustling cityscape or a forgotten cave, the key is not just imagining what’s there, but how it feels to be there.
In my writing classes, I teach two exercises that help writers expand their awareness of location. One is based on observation, the other on visualization.
1. The Observation Drill
Writers who describe their settings well often start by being great observers. They notice the chipped paint near the doorknob, the faint whir of a ventilation fan, or the odd way light bends around the corner of a window. If you want to sharpen this skill, try this:
Take fifteen minutes to list everything you can observe in the room you’re in.
Additional tips:
- Make sure you include observations beyond what you can see. Think of what you can hear, smell, feel, etc.
- Don’t second-guess yourself. Nothing is too mundane or normal to be included here.
- Bonus points if you get up and look around.
- Try to find something odd or overlooked that others might miss.
- Don’t stop until the full fifteen minutes is up!
Repeatedly using this drill will develop your awareness skills. The more vivid and unexpected your observations, the more real your settings will feel to readers.
2. The Visualization Walkthrough
In addition to developing your skills as an observer, it’s important to train your imagination to think in terms of setting and place, not just story and action.
Close your eyes and picture yourself standing in the midst of a scene from your story.
In your mind:
- Turn around. What do you see?
- Listen carefully. What sounds fill the space?
- Take a deep breath. What smells are in the air?
- Touch something. What’s the texture, the temperature, the resistance?
Then, open your eyes and write down everything you remember. This kind of immersive imagining helps move your descriptions beyond flat visuals and into the realm of experience.
I recommend using both of these techniques to bring your locations to life for your readers and for yourself. Try them out, and let me know how it went in the comments!
