Whenever I write a scene, I picture the setting in my mind, whether it’s a room or an outdoor wilderness locale or a bustling city street, with as much detail as possible. Then I describe one or two specific, concrete elements to give the reader a sense of the place, which is often more effective than describing every detail.
Usually I can imagine that setting clearly in my mind, especially if it’s a character’s home or another important place for them. Other times I like to use a real place that I’ve visited as inspiration. When that isn’t possible, I’ll use a stock photography site to gather images. I might describe the setting the way I see it in the photo, or that picture might spark my imagination to go in a completely different direction. If the photos I find seem like a great setting idea but don’t match my current project, I’ll save them for later use.
Here are some of my recent inspiration finds for settings:
![Cabin](http://blog.sloanparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Fotosearch_k2055170.jpg)
(c) krystof / www.fotosearch.com Stock Photography
![Road](http://blog.sloanparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/road-984251_960_720.jpg)
Photo License: CC0 Public Domain
![Cliff](http://blog.sloanparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Fotosearch_k6024146.jpg)
(c) upthebanner / www.fotosearch.com Stock Photography
![River](http://blog.sloanparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Fotosearch_k1661334.jpg)
(c) Leaf / www.fotosearch.com Stock Photography
![Tree-lined walk](http://blog.sloanparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Fotosearch_k1871487.jpg)
(c) antony84 / www.fotosearch.com Stock Photography
![Lighthouse](http://blog.sloanparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Fotosearch_k10215033.jpg)
(c) Keifer / www.fotosearch.com Stock Photography
![House](http://blog.sloanparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Fotosearch_k1064274.jpg)
(c) Dwight / www.fotosearch.com Stock Photography
![Office](http://blog.sloanparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/office-932926_640.jpg)
Photo License: CC0 Public Domain
![House](http://blog.sloanparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Fotosearch_k0206129.jpg)
(c) Forgiss / www.fotosearch.com Stock Photography
![Restaurant](http://blog.sloanparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/restaurant-690569_960_720.jpg)
Photo License: CC0 Public Domain