Each sentence is a small victory over the chaos of the mind.
Strategy:
Ready to explore how settings evolve over time? This exercise will have you freeze-frame a moment in a setting, then stretch it out to show how it changes across various periods. Imagine capturing a single instant in a bustling town square and then zooming out to see its transformation over decades or centuries.
Instructions:
Pick a Setting: Choose a location that interests you. Spend a few moments visualizing it in detail before you start writing.
Freeze Frame: Describe this setting at a single moment in time. Focus on capturing as many sensory details as possible. What’s happening right now? What can you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch?
Short Time Frame: Now, describe the setting as it changes over a short period, such as a single day or year. How do the seasons affect it? What changes with time?
Long Time Frame: Expand the time frame to several decades. How has the setting evolved? Think about changes in architecture, population, and usage. What has been lost or gained?
Historical Frame: Stretch the timeline to a century or more. How has history shaped this place? Consider major events, cultural shifts, and technological advancements.
Reflect and Integrate (optional): Reflect on how the setting has transformed over time. Write a short paragraph on how this exercise has changed your perception of the setting. How can these layers of history enrich your story? How might you use this approach in a longer piece?
Tags: setting, time, world-building, sensory details, historical context, narrative techniques
Category: Drafting a Manuscript > Write About State » Settings
Example:
Pick a Setting: An old library in a small town.
Freeze Frame:
The library is quiet and dimly lit. Dust motes dance in the sunlight filtering through tall, arched windows. Shelves crammed with books line the walls, and the smell of old paper fills the air. A lone librarian sits at the desk, flipping through a worn ledger.
Short Time Frame:
Over the course of a year, the library sees the changing seasons. In winter, it’s a refuge from the cold, with a roaring fireplace and the scent of pine. In summer, the windows are thrown open, letting in fresh air and the sound of birdsong. The librarian decorates the space with seasonal flowers and festive decorations.
Long Time Frame:
Over the next few decades, the library evolves. The old wooden shelves are replaced with modern steel ones. The town grows, and the library becomes a bustling hub of activity. New books fill the shelves, and a community center is added. The librarian retires, and a new, younger librarian takes over, bringing fresh ideas and energy.
Historical Frame:
Over a century, the library witnesses significant changes. It survives two world wars, during which it becomes a shelter and a place of solace. Technological advances bring computers and digital archives. The library expands, incorporating new wings and resources. It becomes a historical landmark, cherished by the community.
Reflect and Integrate (optional): Seeing the library evolve over time has given me a deeper appreciation for its role in the community. The layers of history add richness and depth to the setting. I can use this approach to create a more immersive and dynamic environment in my stories, where the setting itself tells a story.