The document provides tips for improving writing by effectively using story settings. It recommends thinking about the location, time of day, and weather to set the scene. Descriptive details that engage the senses can bring settings to life. Both real and imaginary places can be used, but too much description risks losing narrative pace. Using real or invented place names makes settings more believable. Once established, settings provide context for introducing characters and advancing the plot.

1. Story Settings How to improve your writing!

2. You can start your story by thinking about the setting. Where does your story take place? What time of day is it? What is the weather like? Is it inside Or outside?

3. Manipulate the reader with the setting. Use place as well as the weather, time of day and season, to create a setting. After all, a walk along a lane on a summery afternoon creates one atmosphere but the same lane on a dark wintry night would feel very different.

4. Use detail to bring the setting alive - base this on sense impressions. What can be seen, heard, smelt, touched and tasted? If the reader is to enter your world, s/he needs to be able to see it hear it touch it taste it smell it

5. Base settings on places that you know - plus some invented detail. Think of places where you have been. Close your eyes and look at all the details around you. What can you see? Now use your imagination to change the place. Add some interesting details. Do you want details to make your setting seem: dangerous? frightening? fun? safe? peaceful? strange/imaginary?

6. Use the setting to create atmosphere For instance, you might use a frightening place such as an empty house - or you can take a very ordinary place and make it seem scary by making it seem unusual, dark and cold.

7. Remember: Do not get bogged down in too much description or you will lose the pace of the narrative.

8. Use real or invented names to bring places alive Names help to make your setting more real and more believable. ‘ A boy walked down a street’ shows us nothing, but ‘Lugs O’Neill limped down Butcher’s Row’ starts to catch our imagination.

9. Once you have built the setting you can bring in the characters. Who is there and why? Have fun creating your story setting!

10. Book Review’s Hamburger Title / Arthur / Illustrator Characters Settings and Plots’ Description Characters I like / dislike ; Impressive parts / scene Comments / Recommendations