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October 15, 2020 By penny Leave a Comment

NaNoWriMo: How Important Is Setting In Your Novel?

“Who’s doing NaNoWriMo this year?” (A question at our writers’ group meeting.)

It’s that time of year again. November and NaNoWriMo loom large. Will you participate?

Whether you’re joining in or not, if you’re an author, you worry about setting:

  • How much scene-setting do you need?
  • What about the first chapter: should you add lots of description to establish your story’s world?

NaNoWriMo: start planning (and plan your settings too)

Our group’s discussion about settings in fiction centered around how to make your settings “come alive.”

One author said that in his reading, he skips long descriptions in a novel. He wants to get on with the story. Another author said that she focuses primarily on characters and plot and rarely thinks much about setting.

That’s a valid point. I’m torn. I skip long descriptions too, especially if I’m rereading a novel. On the other hand, if I don’t include some material on setting in a novel I feel as if I’m cheating readers.

Readers read for the story, they want to know what happens next

How to avoid writing descriptions of settings that readers skip? Let’s say you’ve recently visited a wonderful location: Hever Castle in Kent, England. Anne Boleyn spent some years of her childhood there. You had a wonderful time, and because you’re writing a mystery novel, you want to include a description of the castle and gardens. You could, of course, but why not consider putting the action front and center, rather than descriptions?

If you were writing a mystery for example, your sleuth could find a corpse, or a clue, in the yew maze at Hever Castle.

Writing too much about setting can unbalance your novel. And no matter how exotic your setting, readers have seen it before.

Plan your settings for NaNoWriMo

Movies are set in the most exotic locations on the planet. Movies and TV rely on visuals, but you don’t need to.

Let readers use their imagination. With a few telling details, and your characters’ thoughts and actions, your novel can be more entertaining than a movie.

Be especially wary of using too much of your research; it’s tempting, but again, it stops your story’s action.

NaNoWriMo 2020 kicks off in a couple of short weeks. Make a list of settings (locations) for your NaNoWriMo novel now.


Love And The Unexpected Duchess

Love And The Unexpected Duchess

eBook: $4.99
Author: Penelope Redmont
Series: St Carteret Series, Book 1
Genre: Regency Romance
Tag: regency romance
  • A dangerous spy...
    Is Felicity Marchant truly a lady, or is she an adventuress?
More info →
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Tara’s Enchantment – Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 1

Tara’s Enchantment – Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 1

$3.99
Author: Penelope Redmont
Series: Time Travel Regency Romance Trilogy, Book 1
Genre: Regency Romance

A Regency time travel romance... What if you could escape across time, and find your soulmate?

Pure evil dispatches gorgeous Tara Ballantine across the centuries, to Regency England. Tara lands on Adam Jervoise, Earl of Hillingworth -- literally -- as he's riding through a bluebell wood.

Hillingworth is handsome, rich, and kind. He's also set to propose to an heiress.

When Tara realizes that she's falling in love with the earl, she fights the feeling.

More info →
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Plot Hot-Selling Fiction The Easy Way: How To Write  Novels And Short Stories Readers Love

Plot Hot-Selling Fiction The Easy Way: How To Write Novels And Short Stories Readers Love

eBook: $5.99
Author: Angela Booth
Genre: Writing related
Tag: writing

Writing commercial fiction is a challenge for many authors. Have you ever said: "I can't plot...?" If you have, your struggles with plotting your fiction are over.

More info →
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Love And The Unexpected Duchess

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Love And The Unexpected Duchess
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The Lady And The Rake: A Scandalous Arrangement

Melisande Eardley has a temper, and that temper gets the better of her.

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Time Travel Regency Romance

Tara’s Enchantment – Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 1

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A Regency time travel romance... What if you could escape across time, and find your soulmate?

Pure evil dispatches gorgeous Tara Ballantine across the centuries, to Regency England. Tara lands on Adam Jervoise, Earl of Hillingworth -- literally -- as he's riding through a bluebell wood.

Hillingworth is handsome, rich, and kind. He's also set to propose to an heiress.

When Tara realizes that she's falling in love with the earl, she fights the feeling.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Barnes and Noble Nook
Buy from Scribd
Buy from Kobo
Buy from Apple Books
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Tara’s Enchantment – Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 1
Buy now!

Molly’s Magic – Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 2

Molly’s Magic – Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 2

At 24, not only is Molly Ballantine stunning, she has two sisters she loves, and a wonderful career. Then her eldest sister Tara vanishes, and her life disintegrates.

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Books from Penelope Redmont

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Love time travel romances and the Regency era?

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Escape Across Time: Tara, Molly, & Priscilla (Time Travel Regency Romance Trilogy)
Buy now!

The Lady And The Duke: A Dangerous Season

The Lady And The Duke: A Dangerous Season

Her sister Catherine believes that Elaine's hair tells you everything that you need to know about her. It's flame-red. When Sir Oliver Destry trifles with Elaine, she decides on revenge. Elaine soon discovers the truth of the old saying that if you want to make the gods laugh, just tell them your plans.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
The Lady And The Duke: A Dangerous Season
Buy now!

The Major’s Gift: A Sweet Regency Romance Novella

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In 1816 England, pretty Eleanor Devayne teaches young ladies at Miss Merryford's Academy. Although Ellie's job scandalizes her family, Ellie is happy, because she's supporting her small sister.

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The relationship between scandalous Lady Hedworth and Major Lord Cambwell has teased and annoyed the gossiping mamas of the ton for years.

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