The Power of Setting in Your Novel
Of the three basic elements of a novel—plot, character, and setting—setting is often considered the least important aspect of storytelling—or, on the flip side, setting is elevated to the role of a character in its own right. The truth is plot, character, and setting are (or should be) inextricably intertwined. In “The Power of Setting,” Connie Berry will demonstrate how authors can use setting to immerse readers in the story, drive the plot, amplify character, plant clues and red herrings, create conflict and ramp up tension, reflect themes, reveal backstory, and foreshadow later events. She will also discuss five ways authors get setting wrong—and how to fix them. This is an OnDemand webinar.
Instructor
Connie Berry, award-winning author and former aspiring archaeologist, expertly weaves her passion for history and antiques into the Kate Hamilton Mystery series. Set in the UK, the series mirrors Connie’s own unique upbringing and love for the British Isles, gained through her studies at Ohio State University, Germany, and Oxford, England. Her debut, A Dream of Death, won the IPPY Gold Medal for Mystery and became a Silver Falchion and Agatha award finalist. Connie’s first novella, Mistletoe and Murder, released on October 17, 2023. The fifth novel in the same series, A Collection of Lies, released in 2024. Published by Crooked Lane Books and represented by Paula Munier at Talcott Notch Literary Agency, Connie’s works captivate readers with gripping mysteries set in the enchanting landscapes of the United Kingdom. Residing in central Ohio and northern Wisconsin with her husband and dog Emmie, Connie invites readers to explore her world at connieberry.com.
