Afternoon. I'm currently editing my novel and one point a friend of mine has pointed out that I don't say where it is set.
For example in the first chapter I write.
To be honest there was a distinct lack of alternatives for sixteen and seventeen year olds to do where we lived, which meant that driving around in Alex's car was the best thing we could do, and there was nowhere I would rather have been.
Should I give a name to the place or not? Would knowing specifically where it is set influence peoples opinions of the main character? Should I say an area such as a town or narrow it down to a close by village?
Thanks.
Settings perform an essential function. Without a setting there is no base to your novel.
Settings should be generally motivated and have a purpose. They are key to the plot and storyline.
The reader needs to know immediately WHEN and WHERE the story is taking place.
The setting has to appears to be real in the readers imagination. You can only do that by adding flesh to the bones of the setting.
Ground the reader in the setting. Specific sensory details should cue the reader to the exact location, even if you don’t specifically say where we are in the first couple paragraphs. For example,Is it night, daytime, raining, windy, hot or cold. 'Show Don't Tell'.
Be careful that there are not too many changes of geographical settings or locations. When you change, have a strong reason for doing so.
Professor Walter Allen : Settings are centrally important.
Hi Emma
To me that sounds like a perfect beginning. The fact you don't state a specific place means the reader can imagine the whole story happening where they live. I've read stories set in London but because I've never been there I often find it hard to picture the story while I read it. Most sixteen and seventeen year olds feel like that no matter where they live so I don't think a specific location would really add anything to your story.
Andrew.