Writers hope to create stories that make you feel something. There are several methods used to achieve that end such as relationships or disasters but one less obvious skill is the creation of an atmosphere. Stephen King, for example, is one such master as is Charles Dickens and George Orwell. The mastery in their works comes from the building of the atmosphere in which the action is interwoven or underpinned.
In Grace and Favour I began building atmosphere with an idea for the cover and was familiar with a derelict house that I'd played near as a child. I took the above photo of that place and used it as you see. Derelict buildings can 'say' so many things and only one of them is about ghosts. In fact it is a tool engaged in many facets of fantasy writing but may be used to hide the entrance to ... well its up to you!
Five things: creating an atmosphere in your writing
- Use sensory detail. All five senses – sight, sound, touch, smell and taste – can be effective in creating a strong atmosphere. ...
- Hold an image or word in your head as you write. ...
- Inhabit your imaginary world in your daily life. ...
- Limit your imagery. ...
- Focus on the language.
The ideas above come from researching the idea of atmosphere on Google. There are some who write huge amounts on the subject but I prefer a more succinct approach and as there are hundreds of variations on the theme I chose the framework that I would happily use.
In fact the third point is one I've used in the building of my characters and then following their lead through the actions in their story. This may seem slightly barmy but better writers than me have described similar approaches. Ian Rankin in the Rebus stories for example.
The further you develop your characters the more 'real' they can become and as such you know the atmospheres they will react well in and those in which they may flounder.
The link below is to my books on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/David-L-Atkinson/author/B006I31MY6?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1725824054&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
A man is found dead in the massive Kielder Forest in Northumberland and the initial reports suggest suicide.
The above sentence comes from the blurb on the above book and if you sit quietly and consider what it is saying there is a plethora of information held within.
Kielder is one of the most remote places in England.
'Suggests suicide' raises questions of authority mishandling.
You could speculate forever and that is what I would like my readers to do.
God Bless
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