How a character perceives the world tells us something about them.
It sounds so obvious when I say it like that, right?
In this first section, we will discuss just a portion of active setting, where we use the description of the world and the character’s interiority, to display their personality and state of mind.
Focusing on the character’s unique perception immerses the reader and gives each POV a voice of its own.
Let’s start with a generic description that could come from anyone.
He stepped into a cow patty as he exited the car. The small farm had hundreds of the animals on either side of the long drive, separated by miles of briar-covered fences.
Let’s see how some different characters perceive this scene . . .
A jaded character, unhappy with the change:
“His foot squished into something soft. Great. Not only would he be sharing his new “home” with miles and miles of briar growing on splintered fence posts, he’d also have organic landmines of the bovine variety to navigate. Hundreds of fly-ridden cows watched as he carried on. The obnoxious lowing was only outdone by the odor. Hopefully the tiny blue shack at the end of the drive was more impressive than the outside.”
An optimistic but uncertain city person:
“The moment I stepped out of the car, I stepped in to . . . something. Something I most certainly wouldn’t be thinking about. Fences lined the driveway on either side, the wooden posts hardly visible under tangled vines with little flowers. This was my new home and if I said it enough, maybe my stomach would believe me. Bright side? There was plenty of space. The fields were dotted with chatty cows and by and large it wasn’t so different from New York as far as smells go. The cottage was even cute in a rustic sort of way. See? Nothing to worry about. Everything was going to be fine.”
A hopeful new arrival:
The moment I step out of the car, my shiny boots land in a soft circle of cow manure. I grin, sucking the authentic farm scent deep into my nose as the Uber drives away. The place is already fenced, and the cows moo their hellos.
I moo right back.
They’re beautiful—black and white with glossy fur, gosh I wonder how they milk them all. Hopefully the instructions my grandpa left are inside the cozy, baby-blue house down the way. This is going to be way better than the call center I was working at.
A sharp-eyed detective:
She didn’t have to make it into the house to know they wouldn’t find any answers. The uneven road was littered with cow manure, but it was clear she was the only person who’d been this way in at least a week. Any tire tracks were aged, useless, and the worn fences on either side made this the only available entry point. The prized show cows moved her way, lowing for food. Maybe if they weren’t so trusting, they wouldn’t be disappearing.
What do we think?
Everyone has their own little reality, even in real life. I may notice the gorgeous plants on a writing desk, while someone more tech savvy might be completely focused on the thrilling hum of the home-built gaming computer.
It’s important to approach each character/setting combo with curiosity. How does a no-nonsense, you-must-work-to-have-value believing character view the living room of the frat boy-esque, you-only-live-once love interest? Does she only see the stains that could rival a horror novel? Or does she also have a soft spot for animals, so the perfectly groomed, well-trained, snuggle bug golden retriever snags a good portion of her interest? Or what if, gasp! she hates dogs . . . so all she can see is the fur on the couch and the water bowl overflow that’s splashed onto the tile floor?
People react to everything, either internally or externally (you don’t have to show every reaction, because not every reaction will be important to the story, I’m just saying) and these reactions are filtered through their trauma, values, lived experiences, and the stakes they’re facing.
I just think it’s neat.
Megan G. Mossgrove
Manuscript Assessments + Line Editing
For further reading, consider checking out A Writer's Guide to Active Setting: How to Enhance Your Fiction with More Descriptive, Dynamic Settings.
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