Writing Excuses
20.20: The Lens of Where and When
May 18, 2025
Explore the powerful connection between setting and narrative in speculative fiction. Discover how time and place shape characters, influencing their experiences and growth. The speakers share tips for crafting vivid, dynamic worlds and highlight the importance of cultural and temporal details. Engaging examples, like time-measuring goblins, illustrate how practical world-building enhances storytelling. Writers are encouraged to experiment with their own narratives by rewriting scenes in different contexts, revealing new dimensions to character dynamics.
22:35
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Quick takeaways
- The setting, encompassing both time and place, acts as a critical force driving character development and narrative depth in storytelling.
- Daily life details, such as transportation and economy, intricately shape characters' motivations and experiences, enhancing the authenticity of the narrative.
Deep dives
Importance of Setting in Storytelling
The setting of a story significantly influences both the narrative and the characters within it. Different environments, such as alternate histories or secondary worlds, alter how a story is perceived and the themes conveyed. Writers must consider how characters are shaped by their surroundings, including societal constraints during times of war or peace. By examining the integration of setting, authors can create more dynamic and engaging stories that resonate with readers through believable interactions with the world they inhabit.
