One of the main functions that the setting performs is to create the physical restrictions of the world. Any piece of fiction based in the real world will have to be written in accordance with the same laws: anything from a human body being shot to a can of drink being crushed will have to respond in exactly the same way that they would in reality, or else your story will lose it's credibility.
Of course, it is entirely possible to change the rules and laws of your world: most science fiction relies on this. For example, Keith Brooke's The Accord is based primarily in a post-death virtual utopia (essentially a re-realisation of heaven). Within this world, the protagonist (the inventor of the dreamstate) is able to manipulate the landscapes around him: something that would be impossible in the real world.
Whichever guidelines a writer chooses to set for their world, it is vital that they stick to them.
Mood/Atmosphere
It's a cliche in many ways, but the setting for a story can make all the difference to the story itself. When beginning the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling set the very first chapter in the middle of an incredibly ordinary street: this means that when the old bearded man, the half-giant on the flying motorbike and the witch who can turn into a cat materialise, they seem all the more extraordinary. This is a great lesson for writers hoping to create fantasy: it's fine to let the imagination flow, but representing normality alongside the fantasy can really add to the effect.
When based in the real world, story setting tends to be more conventional: many crime thrillers begin with a murder in a locked basement or a dark forest, and many romantic tales will start at a romantic setting such as a wedding. It is obviously the priority of any writer to avoid cliches to an extent, but if they are really struggling for setting a scene then following the cliches to an extent is not the worse method to use.
Reverse Cliche
The reverse of this, and a great way for setting fiction well, is to reverse the cliches and add a real sense of irony to the scene. A true romantic declaration of undying love set in the rain of a funeral might be controversial, but it'll add an extra depth to the story. Just as much as two gangsters negotiating a drugs deal whilst watching their sons play football adds an even more sinister edge to the tale.
When story setting it is important for a writer to really sit down and think about what they want to achieve from a scene, and work the setting around that. As it their choice, they should remember that the story comes first, and any good setting will move that forward.
Shaun Edwards - Shaun Edwards graduated from the University of Essex, UK with a BA in Creative Writing. SInce then he worked for a variety of different ...
