In an article for Writer’s Digest, Lianne Dillsworth shares how (and why) to move your protagonist from one setting to another, including three things to consider. “A change of setting is a great way to create a source of tension and conflict for a character, especially if it’s markedly different to what they’re used to,” Dillsworth says.
Some things to consider include:
- How different settings are coded. How does the new setting differ from your hero’s origin point? How have the people and mood changed? Does your hero fit in? How should the reader feel about the setting – comfortable, unsettled?
- Why your character is there. When your character enters a scene, she must have a reason to be there and the reason must forward the plot. What is the rationale for your character leaving or arriving at a place? Did you character make an active choice? Except in extraordinary circumstances, your hero should be actively choosing their setting.
- The logistics. How does your character get from Point A to B to C? A character without a car will face different challenges than a driver. The setting and time of your story will also matter. A cross-country journey – or even cross-state – in 1824 is very different from one in 2024. If you’re writing genre fiction, you should still consider these elements of movement. In fact, logistics might be even more important for creating verisimilitude.
