POLL: How do you know where to place your story(location/setting)?

Question

How do you know where your story takes place? Do you search for a perfect location?


ME: I usually have the idea of the story and based on the setting I saw the events happening in, I usually know a good place to put them. I have this habit of studying things on Google Maps so I'm never out of options. I never really "choose" the setting, I just put a name to it. If I see a forest in my head, I'm not placing this story in Chicago just because I like flashing city lights. A few times I'd hear a character say the location(like deja-vu) or the narrator(me). I never really have to search for a setting.

How about you?

Answer 1

Same here. I hardly search for a setting, it just comes with the character, story, and adventure. It's hard to force your characters somewhere that the flow just isn't going to have. You can't resist the natural stream of where the story is supposed to go. Of course, we make up some things, but the basic setting and location is hard to twist. I get an image of the place as well, and the more I get into developing the story, more doors widen and the pictures become more concrete.



that is how I know.



thank you for answering my question!

Answer 2

It all depends on what I'm writing about, along with the message that I want to get across; the setting always seems to come along with the story. If I want to teach my readers something about a certain country (like Laos for instance, since not all Americans realize what they gave up during WWII), then I obviously will have the story take place there. I guess I never have to search for a setting, either...it just comes with the story.

Answer 3

Mostly, I write about made-up places, so I don't really have that problem...



The one story I wrote that was officially set in the real world, I chose one location because I worked there, and could easily check where things were. But I chose several other places I'd never been to simply because they looked right or sounded right. I always researched places I hadn't been to, or else was deliberately vague about where those scenes occurred.

Answer 4

All my books somehow end up being set in Aberdeen, Scotland. It's where I live so I know the place around me and that means I can know where they are going how you get there. If I've been somewhere a few times it can go there for instance in one of my most recent ideas the girl moves from America to Scotland because her parents are splitting and the mum wants to be as far away as possible. Also one of my old dropped ideas it was set in my street and she lived in my house but I never say the address obviously.

Answer 5

I like to have it somewhere I've personally been so I have a small idea what it's like. My story takes place in Seattle, :) my favorite place in the world. I also use google maps to research locations of small coffee shops, art museums, etc., etc., that my character has gone to.

Answer 6

>>Number 4, Privet Drive OR The Burrow? The Burrow! >>Hogwarts OR Beauxbatons OR Durmstrang? Hogwarts. :D >>The Three Broomsticks OR the Hog's Head? The Three Broomsticks (: >>Flourish & Blotts OR Borgin & Burkes? Flourish and Blotts >>The Shrieking Shack OR Malfoy Manor? Malfoy Manor >>Diagon Alley OR Knockturn Alley? Diagon Alley >>Gringotts OR Honeydukes? Honeydukes >>Hogsmeade OR Little Hangleton? Hogsmeade. >>Number 12, Grimmauld Place OR Shell Cottage? Number 12 Grimmauld Place because it's hidden. :D. But Shell Cottage is still awesome YAY! That was funnnn!!! ^_~

Answer 7

I usually have all my settings in Nor Cal just because i live there