Skip to main content

The Series Series, Part 5: Tracking Settings

In the last post, we looked at building, developing and maintaining the continuity of characters within a series. Now let’s look at the same thing with respect to setting.

The key to creating an evocative setting – whether real or fantasy – is to incorporate the senses. Many writers describe only what can be seen when it comes to describing a setting, but we experience our surroundings with all our senses, not just our vision.

Just as we discussed creating a character worksheet or file to keep track of character details, the same tool is useful when it comes to settings.  In the Childrens Book Hub, we have Setting Worksheets available for download – but if you’d rather create your own spreadsheet or file for tracking your setting(s), be sure it includes details about the following (and the more specific the better):

  • City/Town/Village
  • Region/Area/Country
  • Buildings – style of architecture, age, materials
  • Room(s) – size, function, décor, relationship/placement, furniture
  • Topography / Landscape – hilly, flat, desert, ocean, forest, etc?
  • Flora and Fauna
  • Climate
  • Year/Time Period
  • Season
  • Sights
  • Sounds
  • Smells
  • Textures
  • Weather
  • History / Historical Facts (what else happened there?)
  • Other details, features or elements specific to this place
  • The “rules of the world” (if fantasy, or different than our world)
Writing Courses

Just Write for Kids

Just Write for Kids will teach you the fundamental aspects of writing for preschoolers and elementary school-aged children.
Learn More

Editor-in-a-Box

This expanded and refined toolkit walks you through a complete picture book revision process.
Learn More

Latest from the Kid Compass Blog

Why the Publishing Process Takes So Long

Why the Publishing Process Takes So Long

One of the biggest surprises for debut authors is discovering how slooooooowly traditional publishing moves. Writers often imagine that once a manuscript sells, publication quickly follows. In reality, most traditionally…
Read more
How Much Creative Control Do Authors Really Have?

How Much Creative Control Do Authors Really Have?

Aspiring authors are often nervous about the possibility of losing creative control once they enter the publishing world. Will editors change everything? Will illustrators change the vision? Will publishers alter…
Read more
What Makes a Children’s Book Enduring?

What Makes a Children’s Book Enduring?

Publishing professionals often distinguish between books that are “marketable” and books that are “lasting.” The two are not always the same thing. A marketable book usually has a strong hook…
Read more
How Writers Find the Right Agent

How Writers Find the Right Agent

Writers often imagine that securing an agent is like winning a golden ticket — one magical “yes” that changes everything overnight. In reality, finding the right literary agent is usually…
Read more

Subscribe to the Kidlit Compass Newsletter