Setting Inspiration: Snow Day on the Streets

Posted on December 18, 2018 by SloanParker

These are the kinds of images I sometimes use to help create the right description and mood for the settings in my stories. I like to pull out one or two very specific details to really help the reader feel connected to that place and the characters who live there.

Setting Inspiration: Autumn

Posted on November 20, 2018 by SloanParker

Recent Finds: Setting Inspiration

Posted on May 18, 2016 by SloanParker

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: