I love quirky contemporary Middle Grade, where the worlds feels a little bit bigger-than-life. Do you have any recommendations for how to pull this off?
Amy
2 months ago
Any tips for setting the scene in the first chapter without info-dumping?
I’ve read about including symbolism in the settings of a book to help bring the world and characters together. Do you know of any contemporary stories that do this well?
Kendra
2 months ago
When creating a contemporary setting do you personally take from what you know and base a fictional setting on that area or do you research an area?
What’s the difference between contemporary and realistic fiction? Does this affect the settings?
PepperHawk
2 months ago
This is a wonderful topic and panel 🙂 any tips for a portal fantasy where they move pretty quickly through known international settings? (National park and UNESCO site type)
BrieannaWilkoff
2 months ago
Do you make the setting completely realistic, or do you fictionalize a real place? If the latter, how much do you change from the real place?
Can fantasy elements exist in a contemporary story, or does that change the genre?
Rebecca
2 months ago
I struggle getting my MG characters into new location because they can’t hop in a car and drive. Any recommendations for MG writers on finding creative settings?
Amy
2 months ago
If you can’t afford to travel widely (or are stuck in quarantine!), can you still set books in other places? Any tips for researching online?
Absolutely! Though I think if it’s a place you’ve never been, that it’s useful to eventually visit or find a beta reader who’s very familiar with the place. But as far as drafting right now goes, if it helps motivate you to write something set somewhere new or exciting, go for it! We all need that escpe.
Tara Kennedy
2 months ago
Does the setting need to affect the story?
Rebecca
2 months ago
I’ve heard I should use setting to describe the character and to show POV. Can you speak to this idea? Is it something you do?
Rebecca
2 months ago
Is there a point in the story when you stop introducing new locations because it slows down pacing?
PepperHawk
2 months ago
Do I need to spend much/any time in a middle school in MG?
When writing a contemporary character who would have an accent in real life (Scottish, southern, etc), should you attempt to write their dialect on the page? Or is it better to just write in your natural voice?
Are there any contemporary settings you would not recommend, or would caution writers to be very careful about? I know some editors can feel like NYC is overdone/almost impossible to pull off unless you’re from there.
What’s the difference between world building and creating a setting?
When writing your books, what comes first? Setting, plot or characters?
I love quirky contemporary Middle Grade, where the worlds feels a little bit bigger-than-life. Do you have any recommendations for how to pull this off?
Any tips for setting the scene in the first chapter without info-dumping?
I’ve read about including symbolism in the settings of a book to help bring the world and characters together. Do you know of any contemporary stories that do this well?
When creating a contemporary setting do you personally take from what you know and base a fictional setting on that area or do you research an area?
What’s the difference between contemporary and realistic fiction? Does this affect the settings?
This is a wonderful topic and panel 🙂 any tips for a portal fantasy where they move pretty quickly through known international settings? (National park and UNESCO site type)
Do you make the setting completely realistic, or do you fictionalize a real place? If the latter, how much do you change from the real place?
Is there such a thing as going “too real” in a contemporary book?
Can you talk a little bit about tools you use to ground your reader in your setting?
What is your advice for showing off your setting in the story without halting the action?
What are some common mistakes you see in setting/world-building?
What are some of your all-time favorite settings in books (contemporary or otherwise)?
Can fantasy elements exist in a contemporary story, or does that change the genre?
I struggle getting my MG characters into new location because they can’t hop in a car and drive. Any recommendations for MG writers on finding creative settings?
If you can’t afford to travel widely (or are stuck in quarantine!), can you still set books in other places? Any tips for researching online?
Absolutely! Though I think if it’s a place you’ve never been, that it’s useful to eventually visit or find a beta reader who’s very familiar with the place. But as far as drafting right now goes, if it helps motivate you to write something set somewhere new or exciting, go for it! We all need that escpe.
Does the setting need to affect the story?
I’ve heard I should use setting to describe the character and to show POV. Can you speak to this idea? Is it something you do?
Is there a point in the story when you stop introducing new locations because it slows down pacing?
Do I need to spend much/any time in a middle school in MG?
When writing a contemporary character who would have an accent in real life (Scottish, southern, etc), should you attempt to write their dialect on the page? Or is it better to just write in your natural voice?
Are there any contemporary settings you would not recommend, or would caution writers to be very careful about? I know some editors can feel like NYC is overdone/almost impossible to pull off unless you’re from there.
Do you have tips for characters living in big cities? How can the author make the setting feel unique and accessible, despite its enormous nature?
Thanks!