Sunday, October 30, 2016

Setting As Character

I just received a lovely review of my soon-to-be-released novella, Love's In The Cards. Here's the part I liked best and the subject of this post: "However, in my opinion, the biggest star of the book is the setting of a gift card shop--a perfect example of setting as character. I was entranced by the ins and outs of a part of American holidays that is so often used but overlooked."

Every author takes workshops during his or her career, and one of the things we keep being reminded of is setting. Margie Lawson is of the opinion that every scene deserves a description of the location where the scene takes place to orient the reader. Here's what Stephen King says on the subject from his book On Writing:
"Thin description leaves the reader feeling bewildered and nearsighted. Overdescription buries him or her in details and images. The trick is to find a happy medium. It’s also important to know what to describe and what can be left alone while you get on with your main job, which is telling a story."

Love's In The Cards is a Wild Rose Press release and is based in the already well-established small town of Lobster Cove, ME. It's been one of their most popular lines for years and anyone writing for the line is presented with a map of the town and a description of the businesses there and expected to weave them into the story. My particular story is about two sisters who own The Treasure Chest, the local greeting card and gift shop. I worked for a year in a shop just like the one I described while I lived in Virginia, even down to the life-sized nutcrackers that got hauled out to the front of the store every morning and taken in at night. Based on the review I got, I did a decent job of describing the shop and how it was run.

I guess I learned something from both Margie and Mr. King.

Here's an excerpt from Love's In The Cards:

Penny sighed softly. Abbey made sense. They had to do everything possible to compete with the other shops, all chasing the same tourist dollars. Even if doing so meant having six-foot-tall nutcrackers flanking the door for the next six weeks. Penny’s eyes smarted with sudden tears, but she blinked them away quickly, telling herself the moisture merely came from a reaction to the cold weather. “I think we need new names for these boys, especially after last year’s debacle. I now have two reasons to despise the season.”
As she wiggled her nutcracker to his final position on one side of the entrance to their shop, Abbey grunted. “This is our make-or-break season, so your attitude has to shape up, Penny. I had hoped a year would give you enough time to get over last Christmas’s aborted wedding.”
Penny jerked her big statue a bit too hard to the left before she squared him with the frame. She bit her lip at the chastisement as she glanced at Abbey. Anyone could tell they were from the same family, with their dark hair, blue eyes, and slender builds. Often, they were mistaken for twins, even though Abbey had been born two years earlier. The only noticeable difference was Penny could sing in key, but Abbey had a tin ear.
“Even though I’m over both Max and Ricky, their betrayals still hurt. And the fact they both screwed up my Christmases makes me hate the season.”
“Well, if getting your head back on straight this year means we rename Hans and Gunther, let’s do so. What’d you have in mind?”
Penny squinted up at the lifelike plastic statues towering over them. “I don’t mind Hans, but I’ll name mine Solo, since that’s what I am.”

Abbey grinned and wrapped an arm around Penny. “Well then, may the force be with us as we head into our peak season. The weather’s finally turned cold, perfect for putting folks into the holiday gift-buying mood. Let’s get inside. I’ve got something exciting to show you.”
Love's In The Cards releases December 7, but you can pre-order it now:


14 comments:

  1. Becky, I agree with you, Steven, and Margie. The setting can't be overlooked. Wishing you good luck for Love's in the Cards.

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    1. Thanks, Sandra. This story was a result of my stint working in the card shop, and also having a young boy color the soles of my shoes in kindergarten. It was nice to draw on my past to create a story.

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  2. I love books with a strong sense of setting. Heather Graham does this well with her books set in Florida. Good luck with the new book!

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    1. Thanks, Roni. Setting is every bit as much a character as the hero/heroine, if a book is well done.

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  3. Oh, I love this. Creating setting is one of my favorite aspects of writing. My first novel was set in rural north Florida in the 1890s. WIP is Northwestern Montana.

    Points for the King quote. On Writing is great. Good luck on your upcoming release.

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    1. King's book is one of my favorites. After reading it, I could hear his voice in my head as I wrote. Definitely had an impact.

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  4. Excellent post, Becky! I'm bookmarking this post for future reference. :)

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    1. Thanks, Joanne. I highly recommend King's book.

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  5. Setting is King. I think setting is one of those subtle things authors must weave in and it is so difficult to get right. Thanks for the reminder. And congrats on your release!!!

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Charlotte. I agree, setting is almost as hard to write as the hero/heroine, since you have to be so subtle about it and not treat it like you're on a tour bus.

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  6. Congratulations on your release Becky! I enjoyed reading your post and personally love buying special cards...anywhere will do for me...from fancy handmade paper stores to Bartell drugs. The card shop setting in your book sounds like it would be a fun place to shop!

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    1. Thanks for visiting today, DeeDee. I worked at a store like the one in my story for a year and had a blast. Hard work, but we had fun.

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  7. Good reminder and good setting for your new book. Never read one set in a greeting card store good luck with your release.

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    1. Thanks, Susan, for stopping by. If anyone should know about setting, it's you, with all the acting work you do.

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