Worldbuilding Through the Senses: Creating Fictional Settings

Whether you’re writing fantasy, contemporary fiction, horror or science fiction, every story happens in a time and a place -- a setting. While it might seem to have a background role, the setting of a story can influence everything from character and plot choices to theme and even structure. In this class, we’ll explore what goes into creating a believable fictional world, and strategies for creating vivid, immersive fictional settings that compliment a story, and ground the reader within its environment. We’ll discuss how to source and use details from real life to enrich a setting, drawing inspiration from both familiar surroundings and worlds unknown. During this workshop, you can expect to complete one group exercise and one solo writing exercise. *** This program is supported by the Friends of The Vancouver Public Library, a community of library lovers who volunteer, fundraise, and advocate i n support of the Vancouver Public Library. The Friends also operate book’mark, The Library Store, on the main level of Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library. *** Accessibility: VPL is committed to making our programs accessible for all. If you have an access need that we have not addressed here, please email us at programs@vpl.ca. Elevator access to the Alice MacKay Room is available in the concourse near the bank machine. There will be designated spaces for wheelchairs and patrons with mobility devices. Quiet Tables are available for patrons who would prefer to enjoy the class without talking to others. For more information on physical access, view the Accessibility information on the Central Library page.