Setting

by Jack Bickham

Hardcover, 1994

Status

Available

Call number

808.3

Collection

Publication

Writers Digest Books (1994), Edition: 1st, Hardcover, 172 pages

Description

Even if you have great characters, outstanding dialogue and a gripping plot, your story isn't complete without the appropriate setting. Setting is the unifying element in most fiction, working in concert with plot, characterization and point of view. Here you'll explore how to use setting as the basis for creating dramatic, engaging stories. Focusing on detail, language and observation, Jack Bickham's invaluable instruction will not only improve your ability to create a strong setting, but also enhance your writing skills as a whole. You'll learn:- the function of setting within the fiction writing process- how setting works with plot, characterization and point of view- the effect of setting on unity- ways to generate story ideas through setting- techniques for creating setting- how to use setting as a thematic device- methods for using setting to stimulate your reader's senses- how to incorporate factual information for texture and authenticity- exercises for improving your powers of observation- tips for recording ideas, events and descriptions using notebook entriesOver the course of his esteemed career, Jack Bickham published more than 80 novels and instructional books, including Writing Novels That Sell and the 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them). A former creative writing professor, he instructed thousands of writers through his classes, seminars and Writer's Digest magazine articles.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Anna_Erishkigal
I have both this version and also the newer Elements of Fiction Writing book on setting (Description and Setting by Rozelle being the other version). Of the two, I found this one to be slightly more helpful in fleshing out the setting-as-a-character in my epic fantasy work. This is the older of the
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two, so it refers to other ways of absorbing-and-disseminating setting than the internet-research heavy newer version by Rozelle. When it comes to setting, there is nothing like being there and speaking to people who have been there to get a 'feel' for a place, I have discovered, and this book bears that bias (though once again both are useful).
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Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1994

Physical description

172 p.; 9.3 inches

ISBN

0898796350 / 9780898796353
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