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Rayne Hall
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Writing Vivid Settings: Professional Techniques for Fiction Authors (Writer's Craft Book 10) Kindle Edition

by Rayne Hall (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 387 ratings
Do you want your readers to feel like they're really there—in the place where the story happens?

Whether you want to enrich stark prose with atmospheric detail, add vibrancy to a dull piece or curb waffling descriptions, this guide can help. Learn how to make your settings intense, realistic, and intriguing.

This is the tenth book in Rayne Hall's acclaimed Writer's Craft series.
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  1. Accessibility
    Learn more
  2. Publication date
    December 27, 2014
  3. Part of series
    Writer's Craft
  4. Language
    English
  5. File size
    921 KB
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rayne Hall is the author of over fifty books in several genres, published under several pen names in several languages. She is the editor of the 'Ten Tales' short story anthologies.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00R0C3058
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rayne Hall
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 27, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 921 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 103 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ Writer's Craft
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 387 ratings

About the author

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Rayne Hall

Rayne Hall

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Rayne Hall MA is the author of over 100 books, mostly Dark Fantasy and Gothic Horror, e.g. The Bride’s Curse: Bulgarian Gothic Ghost and Horror Stories. She is also the acclaimed editor of Gothic, Fantasy and Horror anthologies (e.g. Among the Headstones: Creepy Tales from the Graveyard) and author of the bestselling Writer’s Craft series for advanced-level writers, including and the bestselling Writer’s Craft series e.g. Writing Gothic Fiction Writing Scary Scenes, Writing Vivid Settings, Writing Vivid Dialogue, Writing Vivid Characters, Writing Deep Point of View.

Born and raised in Germany, Rayne Hall has lived in China, Mongolia, Nepal and Britain. Now she resides in a village in Bulgaria, where men perform the annual demon dance, ghosts and sirens beckon, and abandoned decaying houses hold memories of a glorious past.

Her lucky black rescue cat Sulu often accompanies her when she explores spooky derelict buildings. He delights in walking across shattered roof tiles, scratching charred timbers and sniffing at long-abandoned hearths. He even senses the presence of ghosts… but that’s another story.

Rayne has worked as an investigative journalist, development aid worker, museum guide, apple picker, tarot reader, adult education teacher, belly dancer, magazine editor, publishing manager and more, and now writes full time.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
387 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this writing guide offers loads of genuinely helpful suggestions and serves as a concise, 98-page quick read. The book is well worth the price, with one customer noting it's particularly valuable for improving depiction of settings. They appreciate the practical advice, with one review highlighting how it helps unlock their writing potential.

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AdviceWriting adviceReadabilityInformation qualityValue for moneySturdiness
51 customers mention "Advice"51 positive0 negative

Customers find the book offers loads of genuinely helpful suggestions with many examples, making it a handy reference.

"Jumps right in and provides lots of specific examples of how to depict setting. I wish there was more high-level strategy on setting selection...." Read more

"...I also love that there were examples. It really helps me when someone explains why you do something and give an example of it...." Read more

"...Plus, she gives examples. I love that. I wish she’d write a book that show how to describe people. I’d love it if she’d write a book about themes...." Read more

"...what to do, what not to do, assignments for practice, and examples and book excerpts to give an idea how professional writers do it...." Read more

40 customers mention "Writing advice"40 positive0 negative

Customers find this writing guide helpful, particularly for new authors, and one customer notes that the text is studded with good examples.

"...This is a valuable book that every serious writer should keep handy when writing a description. Highly recommend it." Read more

"...I highly recommend Writing Vivid Settings by Rayne Hall. This handy guide will lead you to the multi-dimensional setting your story deserves." Read more

"...The author makes it so simple that even a child could follow her direction...." Read more

"...point you could think of, with what to do, what not to do, assignments for practice, and examples and book excerpts to give an idea how professional..." Read more

32 customers mention "Readability"32 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as concise and a quick 98-page read, with one customer noting it serves as a great resource for both authors and editors.

"This by far is one of the best books I’ve read about creating a story...." Read more

"...It's an excellent book I highly recommend...." Read more

"This was a really quick read, and reminded me of some important details to remember when writing settings...." Read more

"...I was very disappointed with the ebook version, though. The book began well formatted, but three chapters in it was like someone decided not to be..." Read more

20 customers mention "Information quality"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book loaded with great information, with one customer specifically noting how it helps explain different aspects of a setting.

"...How details show the passage of time. • Which details enhance, or spoil, scenes. • How perspective determines the details seen...." Read more

"...But other than that, I found this useful for improving my depiction of setting." Read more

"...This was so helpful on explaining different parts of a setting and when you should use them. I also love that there were examples...." Read more

"...This book goes beyond the five senses. It touches on every descriptive point you could think of, with what to do, what not to do, assignments for..." Read more

12 customers mention "Value for money"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book offers great value for the price.

"...This is a valuable book that every serious writer should keep handy when writing a description. Highly recommend it." Read more

"This book was really helpful! Definitely worth a read. I appreciated the hands-on applications and the homework assignments that she included...." Read more

"...Just the facts ma’am. Loved it. Recommend it. Well worth the price!" Read more

"...If you can overlook that, it's a worthwhile purchase to add to your writer's toolkit." Read more

4 customers mention "Sturdiness"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book strong and in good condition.

"...of how to engage readers on a sensory level, do's and don'ts, and solid tips for unusual ways to bring readers into your world and breathe life into..." Read more

"Arrived quickly in good condition. Haven't read through but on first glance I can see it will be helpful for the intended use." Read more

"Solid little book with the right info!..." Read more

"This is a strong, precise, well-written book on setting!..." Read more

Make a bland setting into a vibrant setting!
4 out of 5 stars
Make a bland setting into a vibrant setting!
Having trouble with Setting? I sure was. This book gave me so many ideas about things to put into Setting my first one i wrote after reading it was three chapters long! oops! A little cutting here, a wee bit of editing there, and bam i had a real setting! Thank you for this. Chris. P.S. Photo 1: my first setting. Photo 2: my setting slightly better. Photo 3: my setting after reading this book.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • lmpartin
    5.0 out of 5 stars very helpful
    Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Often, as writers we either go overboard with descriptions or avoid them altogether. In Writing Vivid Settings, Rayne Hall shows how and when to use them. This is a valuable book that every serious writer should keep handy when writing a description. Highly recommend it.
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  • Serissa McAnally
    5.0 out of 5 stars Give your story the multi-dimensional setting it deserves!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Prior to reading this book, I struggled with description. I neglected the senses other than the visual and used common nouns and vague adjectives. Everything was beautiful and… boring.

    Now, my senses are in a heightened state of awareness. Like a detective, I notice scents upon arrival and find fascinating features. I listen for noises, but not only in the background. Like a photographer, I study light and shadow, observing effects of the hour and weather. Like a poet, I search for symbolism in my surroundings.

    But, there’s much more to learn from Writing Vivid Settings. For example:
    • How description affects pacing and how much to include.
    • How details show the passage of time.
    • Which details enhance, or spoil, scenes.
    • How perspective determines the details seen.
    I highly recommend Writing Vivid Settings by Rayne Hall. This handy guide will lead you to the multi-dimensional setting your story deserves.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • John D
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very tactical guide to setting
    Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Jumps right in and provides lots of specific examples of how to depict setting. I wish there was more high-level strategy on setting selection. But other than that, I found this useful for improving my depiction of setting.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Laney
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This by far is one of the best books I’ve read about creating a story. This will definitely one of my go to books when I need help with any kind of setting.

    It only took me reading a few pages to realize that I needed to own this book for good.

    This was so helpful on explaining different parts of a setting and when you should use them. I also love that there were examples. It really helps me when someone explains why you do something and give an example of it.

    Im excited to read the other books in this series.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • anita
    5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Advice
    Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Solid advice I haven’t written a review in a while, but I felt a strong need to write this one. I have many problems that I have with my writing. One is poor eyesight, but I have beta readers who help me with my revision, another is writing description. This book has cut that problem out for me. I have plenty of writing books, and some of the authors do a decent job of explaining, but I can think of only one other author that goes into details about how to describe something with such clarity. The author makes it so simple that even a child could follow her direction. She tells you exactly when to use the description to spice up your writing, and how to use it. Plus, she gives examples. I love that. I wish she’d write a book that show how to describe people. I’d love it if she’d write a book about themes. There are plenty of craft books on dialogues, characters, and outline, but I can’t find too much information on Themes and how to use them.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Kyria
    5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I needed--and more!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I found Rayne Hall's "Writing Vivid Settings" on my search for description help, world building. The generous preview looked promising, and I was not disappointed. This book goes beyond the five senses. It touches on every descriptive point you could think of, with what to do, what not to do, assignments for practice, and examples and book excerpts to give an idea how professional writers do it. I love the idea of a settings description bank and have started one already. What a great idea.
    There is a wealth of information here. "Writing Vivid Settings" is the hidden treasure box full of diamonds that I've been looking for. Couldn't have hit it any better. This book should be in every writer's and aspiring writer's toolbox.
    Another plus/plus is that it's also available as a paperback, not only as an e-book. That was one of the barriers I came across, looking for a book on descriptions.
    I look forward to exploring more of Rayne Hall's textbooks in the future.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Britt Malka
    5.0 out of 5 stars This one is a keeper - I bought it twice
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Funny, how timing is perfect sometimes. I was talking to a friend and fellow writer about how I didn't know the best way to use settings, and later I checked a romance on Amazon and saw this book, "Writing Vivid Settings".

    I got it through KU, read the first four chapters and returned it. Then I bought it for real, because this one is a keeper.

    You know how you're not supposed to use adverbs? But how do you describe that "she walked slowly down the road"?

    Now I know, thanks to this book about settings.

    Besides explanations, examples and exercises, the book also contains what not to do and examples used in famous fiction. It's an excellent book I highly recommend.

    PS When I told my friend that I bought this book, she told me that she'd experienced Rayne Hall as a fiction teacher and she was happy to learn that the courses could be found in books now.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Lashea Secret
    5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful and Insightful
    Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Easy to follow and doesn't read like a boring old textbook. A lot of good tips and tricks I was made aware of. Ones that I can actually apply and use in my own way. It made me aware of my own novice mistakes. A good source of helpful teachings and reference book for writers at any level.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Jennifer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful writing book
    Reviewed in Canada on September 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Very informative on how to create better descriptions for settings, transporting readers immediately into your scenes
    Report
  • Tina Müller (www.buchnotizen.de)
    5.0 out of 5 stars Writers Must-have
    Reviewed in Germany on October 1, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Wonderful, helpful, lovely, very well written ... must have for writers!!!! The ideas are really powerful and helped me coming in a magical writing flow ;-)
    Report
  • Zoe
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on September 29, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Very useful information. Love it. Thank you so much.
    Report
  • Alan
    2.0 out of 5 stars Barely average
    Reviewed in France on August 30, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Somehow disappointed by this book. Not so many examples of vivid settings. Too much verbiage about things writers already know.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Whatever he writes makes a lot of sense
    Reviewed in India on April 2, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Whatever Rayne Hall writes makes sense. Though I have not yet read any of his novels or short storied, I have lapped up all what he has written on writing skills.

    The step-by-step manner in which he writes about the craft of writing stories and scenes is very valuable to any writer new or old who wants to write gripping stories. I strongly recommend his books for any aspiring writer.
    Report

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