This writing course, Writing Setting in Fiction with Angie Faye Martin, will be held online.
In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore how to bring fictional worlds to life through rich, sensory detail.
Writers will learn what we really mean by setting: not just the physical place or time, but the atmosphere, textures, and emotional resonance that make a story feel real. Through guided exercises, we’ll move beyond visual description to include all five senses: smell, taste, sound, touch, and sight. Each sense will be unpacked with examples from well-known novels and short, practical writing activities designed to stretch observation skills and deepen immersion. We’ll also discuss how setting supports story: how it shapes character, mood, and plot.
In this course with Angie Faye Martin, participants will experiment with simile and metaphor, learning to evoke place without slipping into cliché. The workshop will be informal, interactive, and creative. Writers will leave with new tools to make their settings more tangible, and with fresh material they can develop in their own stories.
Expected learning outcomes
In this workshop, participants will:
- Understand what we mean when we talk about setting and why it is important
- Examine the different ways setting can be created
- Analyse descriptions of settings in famous works and talk about why they are effective
- Learn techniques (like similes and metaphors) that create visceral experiences for the reader
- Build confidence writing settings by workshopping some fun activities.
Participant requirements
Internet access and confidence using basic computer software are essential for this program.
You do not need to log into the course at a specific time and there are no live meetings. You will receive an email with an invitation link to join the online classroom a week before the course starts.
- Participants will work through several lessons, which will open sequentially over the first few days of the course.
- You can complete the lesson material in your own time.
- This course includes short writing assignments and the opportunity to give and receive peer feedback. Some assignments will receive tutor feedback if completed by the deadlines provided.
Please expect to spend a minimum of six hours on the course, noting that the amount of time needed to read, respond to discussions, write, revise and critique will vary from person to person. We recommend allocating an hour a day to the course while it is running. By setting aside this time, you will get the most out of the course, and be able to engage with other participants and the tutor.
Is this course right for you? Please read our FAQ> for important information before enrolling.
If you have questions about this course, please contact us.
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