Are you a Setting-focused Writer or a Character-driven Writer?

In the vast world of storytelling, writers often find themselves gravitating towards one of two primary focal points: the intricate details of the world they’ve created, or the complex personalities that inhabit it. While the best stories often balance both elements, many writers discover they have a natural inclination towards either setting-focused or character-driven narratives. So, which camp do you fall into? Let’s explore the characteristics of each to help you identify your storytelling instincts and consider how to leverage your strengths while developing a well-rounded approach.

The Setting-focused Writer

Setting-focused writers are the architects of literary worlds. They excel at creating rich, immersive environments that become characters in their own right. If you’re a setting-focused writer, you might recognize these traits in your work:

1. Vivid World-Building: You have a knack for creating detailed, believable worlds, whether they’re based on reality or sprung entirely from your imagination.
2. Atmospheric Prose: Your writing often includes rich sensory details that make readers feel as if they’re truly present in the story’s setting.
3. Historical or Cultural Depth: If writing about real places, you research extensively to capture the essence of a location and its history. In fictional worlds, you create complex cultures and histories.
4. Environment as Catalyst: In your stories, the setting often plays a crucial role in driving the plot forward or creating conflicts for the characters.
5. Descriptive Prowess: You excel at describing landscapes, architecture, objects, and the general ambiance of a scene.
6. Thematic Integration: The themes of your story are often reflected in or reinforced by the setting you’ve created.
7. Societal Focus: Your narratives might explore how societies function within the world you’ve built, examining social structures, politics, or economics.

Famous setting-focused writers include J.R.R. Tolkien, known for the incredibly detailed world of Middle-earth, and Gabriel García Márquez, who brought the fictional town of Macondo to vivid life.

The Character-driven Writer

Character-driven writers are the psychologists of the literary world. They excel at creating complex, relatable characters whose personal journeys form the heart of the story. If you’re a character-driven writer, these traits might sound familiar:

1. Deep Character Development: You spend a lot of time developing your characters’ backgrounds, motivations, and inner conflicts.
2. Emotional Resonance: Your writing often delves into the emotional lives of your characters, creating strong connections between them and the reader.
3. Dialogue Mastery: You excel at writing realistic, revealing dialogue that showcases each character’s unique voice.
4. Internal Narratives: Your stories often feature rich internal monologues or explorations of characters’ thoughts and feelings.
5. Relationship Focus: The relationships between characters, and how they evolve, are central to your narratives.
6. Character Arcs: Your plots are often structured around the growth and change of your main characters.
7. Psychological Insight: Your writing demonstrates a keen understanding of human nature and behavior.

Renowned character-driven writers include Jane Austen, famous for her insightful character studies, and Fyodor Dostoevsky, known for his deep explorations of the human psyche.

The Interplay of Setting and Character

While writers may lean towards one approach or the other, the most compelling stories often arise from the interplay between setting and character. Here’s how these elements can complement each other:

1. Character Shaped by Setting: A well-developed setting can influence character development, as individuals are shaped by their environment.
2. Setting Revealed Through Character: Characters’ perceptions and interactions with their environment can be a powerful tool for world-building.
3. Conflict Arising from Both: The tension between characters and their setting can be a rich source of conflict and narrative drive.
4. Thematic Resonance: Themes can be explored through both the setting and characters’ journeys, creating a more layered narrative.

Embracing Your Style and Expanding Your Skills

Whether you’re a setting-focused writer, a character-driven writer, or somewhere in between, the key is to embrace your natural style while continuing to grow as a storyteller. Here are some tips for both:

1. For Setting-focused Writers:

• Practice developing more complex characters to inhabit your rich worlds.
• Consider how your settings can create unique challenges or opportunities for character growth.
• Try writing scenes that focus solely on character interactions, with minimal setting description.

1. For Character-driven Writers:

• Experiment with more detailed world-building to create richer contexts for your characters.
• Explore how different settings might influence your characters’ behaviors and choices.
• Practice writing descriptive passages that capture the essence of a place.

1. For Those In Between:

• Recognize the value of your balanced approach and continue to hone both skills.
• Analyze how setting and character elements interact in your favorite books or movies.
• Experiment with stories that push you more towards one end of the spectrum or the other.

Finding Your Balance

The most engaging stories often strike a balance between rich settings and compelling characters. Here are some strategies to help you find that balance:

1. Character-Setting Integration: Consider how your characters are products of their environment, and how they in turn shape that environment.
2. Alternating Focus: Structure your narrative to alternate between setting-focused and character-driven scenes, allowing each to shine at different moments.
3. Setting as Character: Treat your setting as a character in its own right, with its own arc and influence on the story.
4. Character Lens: Describe your settings through the unique perspectives of your characters, blending world-building with character development.
5. Plot as Mediator: Use your plot to bring setting and character elements together, creating conflicts and resolutions that involve both.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a setting-focused writer who crafts intricate worlds, a character-driven writer who delves deep into the human psyche, or someone who blends both approaches, remember that your natural inclination is a strength. It’s part of what makes your storytelling unique.

The journey of a writer is not about changing your inherent style, but about expanding your toolkit and learning to use all your skills effectively. Embrace your strengths, but don’t be afraid to push your boundaries. The most memorable stories often come from authors who know their forte but aren’t afraid to experiment and grow.

So, are you a setting-focused writer or a character-driven writer? Whichever you are, celebrate your unique voice and keep honing your craft. The world is waiting for the stories that only you can tell!