Exploring Setting as a Character
When I sit down to write, I hope to craft a story that pulls the reader in. If done well, the reader is immersed in the story world and able to push pause on the world around them if only for a little while.
One of the creative ways I like to do this is through the setting. For me, the setting is as much of a character as the people who populate the story. It sets the stage and influences the pacing of the story.
For instance, The Passenger takes place in Cana, a fictious town nestled somewhere in California’s wine country. To visit there, you must travel over winding roads bordered on both sides by green, rolling foothills and tall, sun filtering conifers surrounded by native plants. Along the way, the ancient trees part to reveal estates of all sizes. Here, a vineyard showcasing rows of grapes ripe for the picking. There, a ranch complete with cattle grazing the hillside. This is where you’ll find the vineyard Paolo Clemente purchased after immigrating from Foggia, Italy to America.
Among the vines, Paolo’s son Gio finds purpose and also peace. It is here, as the wind moves the leaves, where he is his most authentic self. This is where Elizabeth meets the man behind the solemn exterior—the one she could truly like.
Now it's time to get a glimpse of Gio in his favorite setting through Elizabeth's eyes:
Gio walked down the aisle. “This whole area is Primitivo, but beyond this hill is my favorite.”
Elizabeth followed behind, enjoying the companionship and the late afternoon sun filtering into the aisle. Gio guided her through the vineyard, and he appeared to forget why she was there. No lines creased his brow. He held his shoulders erect but not like those of a burdened man trying to keep his troubles at bay. He was a man who was sure of himself, of his surroundings, and liked who he was when he was amid them.
She could like this man, too. They walked down a slight incline.
“Here we are,” Gio said and stopped, waving his hand in a broad sweep to the vines around them. “These are Cabernet Sauvignon.”
With curiosity, Elizabeth gazed at the deep purple grapes. “Did Paolo bring these over, too?”
“No, definitely not. These vines originated from France and were here when my father purchased the vineyard.” He smiled. “My uncle was dead set against keeping a French vine, but with my mother’s insistence, they stayed.”
Until next time,
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About the Author
Award-winning author, Joie Lesin is a life-long fiction writer and poet. She is most recently the author of The Passenger. She has long been fascinated by anything otherworldly including mermaids and ghosts. Joie writes character-driven, emotional, atmospheric tales about heartache and hope.