​Think about your current work in progress, or your last book or story if you’re in between projects. What was the setting of your story? Your book or story might have several settings. To be clear, by setting let’s consider the standard definition. Setting is the time and place where your story happens. The setting you choose for your story is a vital element. You might be writing across more than one time or place but you can’t tell a story without a setting.

There are different ways to lay out the setting of your story. You can write it in a descriptive form or you can let the characters unveil the setting through their dialogue. With dialogue you don’t have to be too descriptive or detailed. You can let a conversation flow between characters exposing just enough to let the reader use their powerful imagination.

For example, you don’t have to give the exact time, weather report, or location when you use dialogue. “It’s a hot one out tonight, isn’t it Margaret? How about a cold beer for me and my friend?” Maybe something simple like this paints the picture better than a long description: Sweat began to moisten the collar of her t-shirt. She ducked into the Red Pony Saloon for a quick meal and stiff drink. It beat sitting at home tonight. At least their air conditioning worked!

Some writers prefer the long description of setting to supplement the dialogue. Stephen King is well known for his long descriptions. Precise description is found in some of the greatest poetry. Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass is a perfect example. The great thing about the element of setting is that in great fiction it can actually take a deeper meaning. If you watch some classic movies you’ll find that setting can also be a metaphor for the times in which they lived. In literature you’ll see a perfect example of that in Steinbeck’s Cannery Row.

How do you best use the vital element of setting in your writing? Have you used it as a metaphor in your own work? It’s worth deep consideration in order to learn more and improve at the craft of writing. In great fiction, the setting can make all the difference. 

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A Writer's Guide to Building an Audience
 
If you're a writer, the key to your long-term success is finding your audience. The first step in finding your readers is getting your work out into the world. The good news is that modern technologies like the internet make it easier than ever to publicize your writing and nurture a following. Today, Josie Holfman of 4 Day Work Week outlines some steps for getting your work out there and for nurturing a connection with your readers once you find them.
 
Create a comfortable space where you can write in peace 
Before you can share your writing, you've got to get words down on the page. Having a quiet place where you can write at home will help your productivity. Invest in a good desk, ergonomic furniture, and add good lighting and a few houseplants. Make sure to keep a record of any structural updates you make, such as adding a skylight or changing the windows. These renovations increase home value, which is important to advertise if you later sell the property.
 
Save money on your promotional efforts by setting yourself up as a business 
When you take steps like renovating your house, you're going to spend some money. Ideally, you will be able to write off these expenses as tax deductions. One thing you can do to make this easier is to set yourself up as a business. Register a legal entity, like a limited liability company (LLC) to manage your writing work. Shopify explains that this model offers

ownership and management flexibility, and can also help streamline important paperwork, like your tax filing.
 
Set up a website to draw in readers 
A writer website is the easiest way to showcase your writing and credentials. IngramSpark has a guide to what you should include, such as your author bio, books, blog, and mailing list sign-up. You can gather email addresses to create your own newsletter and then email your followers whenever you have new work to publish. A blog is also a helpful addition, as it will help your website get found by search engines, increasing visibility.
 
Use social media to reach new people 
Once you have your website set up, create social media accounts that you can use to push people back to your website. Use eye-catching infographics to spruce up the look of both your social pages and your online platform. Instead of hiring an expensive graphic designer, make your own graphics with the help of an infographic maker. Take these free templates and customize the colors, background, text, and other design elements.
 
Check out online platforms and literary magazines to share your work 
There are many online communities that invite writers to share their work. This can be useful in a few ways. First, you can share works in progress and get feedback from other people.
Second, you can share completed works and use them to attract new readers. Writer's Digest offers a list of websites writers can use to share their writing, including Camp Nanowrimo, Critique Circle, Critters Workshop, Fictionaut, and Internet Writing Workshop.
 
Enter contests to promote yourself further 
Contests are another great way to raise your profile as an author. Plus, if you win a contest, this will be a fantastic addition to your resume. Some contests even award prize money— another great perk. Australian Writers’ Resource points out that there are many types of writing contests to accommodate all genres, from science fiction to memoirs. Examples include the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest, the Drue Heinz Literature Prize, and the St. Francis College Literary Prize.
 
As a writer, your success depends on your readers. By taking steps like creating a website and social media and populating them with eye-catching infographics, you can promote your work easily. You can then build up a loyal following that will support you for years to come.