Crafting Powerful Settings

Masterful Technique for Fiction Writers

Enroll in Full Course for $99

Setting is place. It’s environment. The objects and living things around us. It’s our immediate surroundings but also the larger space we move and breathe in.

Too often, writers ignore setting. But think about this—we live in the physical world. We respond to and interact with every single setting we are in, consciously or unconsciously. We inhabit space every second of our lives, even when we are in the womb. We cannot be extricated from setting, and neither can the characters we write about.

In storytelling, our number one job as writers is to make readers care. We want to ensure that our fiction captivates them on many levels and that our characters seem like living, breathing people who continue to exist in readers’ minds long after they read “the end.”

Setting is perhaps the most versatile tool in a writer’s toolbox. You’ll learn in this course the many uses of setting. The “right” setting, carefully chosen, can help reveal depth of characters, drop in backstory in a meaningful way, hint at inner and outer conflict, supply tension, and make your readers feel deep emotions.

There’s more to crafting powerful settings than just plucking out a few details and slapping them together; it’s about selecting ones that create a sensory experience, since description that offers real texture often triggers emotions and memories for readers, making them live the story emotionally through the characters.

Everything your character experiences has to matter, and that includes her interaction with her world. What you include and how you include it should be strategically planned. And that will help you determine what to exclude.

What you’ll learn in this course is the power of words. Nouns, adjectives, verbs that are packed with power. The power to evoke imagery and emotion. The power to set a mood and reveal mind-set. The power to mirror characters’ needs and hopes and fears. You are going to learn technique to help you harness the power of setting so that your readers will be fully immersed in a story that will linger long after they read the last pages.

If your setting in your fiction is weak, lacking, or unimportant to your characters, your readers won’t get engaged in your story.

Masterful writers craft powerful settings that transport their readers into the world of their story. You can too.

Here are some of the vital things you’ll learn in this course:

  • The secret to crafting powerful settings. Yes, there is a secret but it’s in plain sight!
  • How to strategically choose every single setting in your story for the greatest impact
  • Why you need high EQ (emotional quotient) in every setting you use
  • What connected settings are and why they are the heart of your story
  • How much detail (and what kind) to include when considering your settings
  • When to “show” and when to “tell” with settings
  • Tips to masterful wordsmithing that create powerful mood
  • How to have setting mirror and inform your character’s frame of mind
  • How to choose just the right sensory details for each setting
  • What the pitfalls are in creating powerful settings and how to avoid them
  • Ways to integrate backstory into setting for powerful effect

Don’t underestimate the power of setting! Get the tools you need to craft settings that your readers will love and that will linger in their minds long after they finish your story.

Get started now!

Enroll in Full Course for $99

Your Instructor

C. S. Lakin

C. S. Lakin is the award-winning author of thirty books and blogger at Live Write Thrive, a top-ten site for writers. She works as a book copyeditor and writing coach, specializing in manuscript critiques. Her writing craft book series The Writer’s Toolbox teaches aspiring and experienced novelists how to write terrific stories. More than 5,000 writers have taken her online video courses over the last 10 years. She loves nothing more than to help writers craft stellar novels and experience success and joy in their writing journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the course start and finish?

The course starts as soon as you enroll. You go through the modules at your own pace, so you can enroll anytime with lifetime access. You can hop into modules in any order, return again and again, and watch the videos whenever you need to refresh your memory!

How long do I have access to the course?

How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like – across any and all devices you own.

What if I am unhappy with the course?

We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

Who should take this course?

Fiction writers of any level or experience (and those writing creative nonfiction) need to learn the techniques of crafting powerful settings. Whether you’re just starting out or have been writing for years, you will learn insights and skills that will elevate your craft and help you create worlds your readers will be immersed in.

What Some Say about My Courses

Here’s what some of the 5,000+ students enrolled in my online video courses and master classes have to say:

“I have learned SO much in such a short space of time. It was a big commitment to make, but it was so, so worth it. I won’t ever regret it—at the very least, my writing will be so much better than before. The very best outcome is beyond exciting and I feel far more confident about making that dream a reality. C.S. Lakin is an expert in crafting a novel, is approachable and down-to-earth. She is supportive and takes an active interest in the development and progression of our writing, giving the support to make that dream a reality.”
— Liz Thompson
“As someone who has only really started writing about a year ago, I can say without doubt that this course has made my writing 1,000 times better. Not just simple things like not putting in so many speech tags or formatting. The structure of my novel, the POV, sensory detail. While I had some of these things already, learning what works and what doesn’t has improved my writing tenfold. I honestly did not know what to expect when I enrolled in this course, but it has changed my writing and my joy of writing for the better. I cannot thank Susanne enough, and I look forward to continuing to learn from her in the future.”
— Joshua Bruce
“Susanne has an amazing ability to analyze scenes and point out the subtleties of what works and why. As an instructor, she is encouraging and patient. You’ll love working with her!”
— Dana Killion
“You’ll quickly learn techniques on plotting and craft that normally takes writers years to develop. I was stalled on a manuscript and after only a few sessions could see exactly what I needed to do to continue with revisions. I highly recommend any of Susanne’s courses to both new and experienced writers.”
— Jean Grabow
“Susanne’s 8 Weeks to Writing a Commercially Successful Novel is one of the best developed and delivered writing classes I’ve taken. With the depth of an MFA masterclass, but with the real-world guidance that can only come from a seasoned writing and editing professional, Susanne by-passes the well-trod writing advice fluff and provides writers with strategies to craft stories readers will love.”
— Sharon Ritchey
VP Communications, Women’s
Fiction Writers Association
“Susanne is a generous and accessible instructor who can analyze a scene the way a skilled mechanic can diagnose and correct a fault in an engine. She has amassed a helpful store of instructional materials and sample readings that vividly show the elements of a powerful scene. The practice I’ve gained in analyzing other writers’ scenes will help me write more visceral scenes in my own novel. Thank you, Susanne!”
— Lou Schlesinger
“Susanne Lakin is extremely knowledgeable of industry trends, effective pacing and structure protocols for creating successful commercial novels in today’s environment, and devotes her time, energy and support to her students. I would recommend her course to both beginning and experienced novelists.”
— Kendrick Smith
“I learned a brilliant set of writing skills. Her courses have enabled me to improve on my writing skills overall. However, I was amazed at the depth of knowledge Susanne has and how easily she made the topics of dialogue, tension, micro tension and high stakes come alive in writing. The hows and whys you should use these and there were plenty of examples to go through which highlighted each area being taught. I cannot praise Susanne enough for imparting her often hard won knowledge and would highly recommend this short course as for writers looking to develop and improve their writing skills and knowledge. Five Stars Susanne! Thank you.”
— Lorna Dolan

Get started now!

Enroll in Full Course for $99

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