Setting the Scene

I hate it, you probably hate it, we all need it to see what we see. I'm talking about setting the scene; sending the images in your head to your reader's head via words. We all know what we see in a scene, but, since, you know, our readers don't, we have to spell it out for them. 

How do we go about this? I'm glad you asked. (Actually, you probably didn't ask. But I'mma tell you anyway.)

First of all, please don't write a big chunk of text that rambles on and on about how pretty the scenery is, or how creepy the abandoned house is, or... you get the point. Like all good descriptions, the description of your scene should be sprinkled throughout the actual scene. Like this: 

Jason stepped out of his car and switched on his flashlight. Shining it on the centuries-old house, he felt a chill run down his spine. The cobwebs in the windows shone ghostly white, and the moth-eaten curtains shuffled ominously, waving in the cold wind.

But a dare was a dare.

The door swung on one hinge, and Jason pushed it open easily. It squeaked as it turned, and he nearly leapt out of his skin at the sound. He swept the beam of his flashlight across the chipped hardwood floors.

And so on. You get what I'm trying to say. Scatter your descriptions among actions, tossing them together into a salad of fun-to-read prose.

Okay, now, with that out of the way, let's tackle the next point: keep all the senses in mind. To give you an example, here's more of Jason's spooky story, this time with more of the senses integrated.

The stench of rotting mice-- and worse-- attacked his nostrils. He covered his nose with the fabric of his shirt, but it didn't help. He stepped over the splinters in the floor with caution, and the squeak of each footfall made him wince. Outside, he could still hear the wind howling. It seemed to have gotten louder. He pressed on. If he could just make it to the back of the house...

There, we used some of the senses to transport the reader. (If you weren't transported, I'm sorry. I'm not a great teacher.) 

Alright, you should be good. I'm setting you free with just two tips: Scatter your description and keep your senses in mind. Combine that with all the other advice I've given you about description, and write some settings! With action in them, of course. Don't wanna bore those readers!

Happy Writing!

(Sorry for the stupid post. I think the fumes from my lizard cage are affecting my brain.)