Comments on: Special Fiction Writing Week: Creating a Setting

By: The secret to writing powerful words | Men With Pens

The secret to writing powerful words | Men With Pens — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:02:03 +0000

[...] writing fiction that just isn’t there in non-fiction gigs. When I write a novel, anything goes. I make up the world and I decide the plot twists. [...]

By: Fiction Writing Character Flaws | Men With Pens

Fiction Writing Character Flaws | Men With Pens — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:33:05 +0000

[...] One: How to create a believable character Day Two: How to create a setting for your story. Day Three: How to create plot Day Four: How to get serious and make money from [...]

By: Business Cards

Business Cards — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:20:08 +0000

I just wonder, what is better, making the setting somewhere real or a fictional one?
I kinda struggled with using a real place, especially a place that is foreign to me because obviously, the culture of the place should be evident on the story. However, it’s not easy to create a make-believe setting either…

By: James

James — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:17:13 +0000

@ Nathan – Try using, “What would my character do if…”

I find that seriously unblocks everything, from character creation and development to building a whole story. “What would my character do if someone offered him a drink? Would he choose beer or wine? What if someone fell on the street near him? What would he do? What if his house collapsed…?” And so on.

@ Yacine – My personal bump is that I seem to have a really hard time creating fantastical settings. I put more into the characters than I do into what’s around them – makes for really rich characters but a world that seems… sketchy. Hmmm.

@ Keyword Commentor – We have a great ebook called “How to Create Believable Characters” right here on this site that can help out, and there are some posts on character development in our archives – see the “Better Writing” category and select “Fiction Writing”.

@ Barbara – Was it me?

@ Carole – You flatter us. (Don’t stop!)

@ Luigi – You’re welcome – we’re not planning to!

By: Nathan Hangen

Nathan Hangen — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:13:11 +0000

Every time I sit down to write fiction (such as now with NaNoWrMo), my mind goes blank and I can’t seem to get anything out. I think remembering that you can frame it any way you like, so long as you back it up, is going to be helpful for that.
Nathan Hangen´s last blog ..When You Donâ€™t Think Youâ€™re Good Enough

By: Yacine

Yacine — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:21:45 +0000

I have a tough time with scope creep when I work on settings. It’s so easy to get carried away and work on details that are ultimately irrelevant to the plot.

By: I Left a Keyword instead of a Real Name

I Left a Keyword instead of a Real Name — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:01:35 +0000

I’m interested in learning more about character development do you have any plans to do anything specific on that?
Business Logos´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at

By: Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach

Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:41:09 +0000

I know someone who has written the most extraordinary fiction; will be passing this article to him and my network as well. Thanks for writing it!
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog ..The ability to GAIN wisdom is halted ONLY by death â€“ Todayâ€™s Quote of the Day

By: Carole

Carole — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:05:10 +0000

MwP’s blogs are always outstanding whatever the subject matter. However, this week’s fiction series is an absolute must-read for all writerly types out there, be they already published or aspiring towards that goal.

Awesome work guys!

By: Luigi

Luigi — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:43:51 +0000

Wow! This makes writing a lot more interesting and fun. Thanks! Looking forward!