How the Setting Can Put Pressure On Your Hero

<p>In this episode of The Novelry on Writing, authors and writing coaches Andrea Stewart and Lesley Kara dive deep into the art of crafting unforgettable story settings! Whether you’re writing a novel, short story, or screenplay, the setting is more than just a backdrop—it’s a dynamic tool to elevate your storytelling. In this episode, you’ll discover: </p><ul><li><p>How placing your character in an unfamiliar location can create tension and drive the plot.  </p></li><li><p>Ways to use natural elements (such as weather and terrain) to enhance mood and conflict.  </p></li><li><p>Techniques to reveal hidden depths of your characters through their interactions with the setting.  </p></li><li><p>How to link your setting to the story’s theme for a richer, more cohesive narrative.  </p></li><li><p>The art of subverting expectations with your setting to surprise and delight readers.  </p></li></ul><p>Happy writing! </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p><em>00:00</em> - Introduction</p><p><em>01:30</em> - Tip #1: Unfamiliar Location</p><p><em>03:07</em> - Tip #2: Use the Elements</p><p><em>04:46</em> - Tip #3: Use Setting to Reveal Character</p><p><em>07:10</em> - Tip #4: Link the Setting to the Theme</p><p><em>08:22</em> - Tip #5: Subvert the Setting </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Guest Bios</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.thenovelry.com/team/andrea-stewart"><u>Andrea Stewart</u></a></p><p>The Novelry writing coach Andrea Stewart is the <em>Sunday Times</em> bestselling author of the Drowning Empire trilogy. Her second trilogy, the Hollow Covenant, sold to Orbit in a six-figure deal and the first installment, <em>The Gods Below</em>, was an instant <em>Sunday Times</em> bestseller in Fall 2024. Andrea’s debut, <em>The Bone Shard Daughter</em>, was a finalist for the Goodreads Choice Awards for Fantasy and for Debut Novel, the Locus Award for Best First Novel, the British Fantasy Award Best Novel, the BookNest Award for Best Traditionally Published Novel, and the Compton Crook Award. </p><p><a href="https://www.thenovelry.com/team/lesley-kara"><u>Lesley Kara</u></a></p><p>The Novelry writing coach Lesley Kara is a <em>Sunday Times </em>Top Ten and Amazon No.1 internationally bestselling author of psychological thrillers. Her debut novel, <em>The Rumor</em>, was the highest-selling print crime fiction debut of 2019, the bestselling ebook of that year, and was shortlisted for the East Anglian Fiction Award, the Capital Crime/Amazon Publishing Best Debut Novel, and the Dead Good Books Cat and Mouse Award. It has been optioned for TV by Cuba Pictures and sold in over 18 territories. <em>Who Did You Tell?</em> was also a <em>Sunday Times</em> bestseller. Lesley regularly speaks at literary festivals across the U.K. and co-hosts the crime fiction podcast, <em>In Suspense</em>. </p><p><strong>Resources</strong></p><p>Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to write a compelling story:</p><p><a href="https://www.thenovelry.com/blog/raise-the-stakes"><u>How to Raise the Stakes in Your Story</u></a></p><p><a href="https://www.thenovelry.com/blog/how-to-write-a-scene"><u>How to Structure a Scene</u></a></p><p><a href="https://www.thenovelry.com/blog/love-story"><u>Falling in Love with a Setting</u></a></p><p>🎧 <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-novelry"><u>Share this episode!</u></a> </p><p>▶️ On YouTube:<a href="https://youtu.be/s7HpTUg5kC8"><u> https://youtu.be/s7HpTUg5kC8</u></a></p><p>🔔 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our podcast and YouTube channel for more writing tips and creative inspiration! </p><p>📖<em>Read the full episode transcript </em><a href="http://www.thenovelry.com/blog/podcast-setting-pressure"><em>here</em></a><em>! </em></p><p>📚 <em>For one-on-one help writing your novel, join us on a </em><a href="https://www.thenovelry.com/which-course"><em>creative writing course</em></a><em> at The Novelry today. Sign up for </em><a href="https://www.thenovelry.com/which-course"><em>courses</em><