Worldbuilding-Setting Deep Dive Into Descriptions of Setting with Tracy Koppel

Week 1:
Lesson 1 (Monday):
Too often, descriptions are boring. Some readers skip over them. Why do we even need them?
Homework:
1. Start looking at description in books by an authors you like and respect.
2. Ask me questions.

Lesson 2 (Wednesday):
What are the makings of a good description of a setting? (Overview: details relevant to the POV character, attitude of the character to the place, five senses, not slow down the story.)
Homework:
1. Find at least one description in a book by an author you really like that really works for you. What did the author do?
2. Post your thoughts for discussion.
3. Read and comment on others’ posts.
4. Ask me questions

Lesson 3 (Friday):
Using all five senses in a description. (Okay, taste is only rarely used. Usually only four senses.)
Homework:
1. Find at least one description of a particular place in a book by an author you really like. What did the author do that made the place memorable?
2. Post your thoughts for discussion.
3. Read and comment on others’ posts.
4. Ask me questions.

Week 2:
Lesson 4 (Monday):
Using description to show emotion—attitude of the POV character, plus details the character chooses to notice.
Homework:
1. Find at least one description in a book by an author you really like where the POV character’s attitude to the setting is helping to show the POV character’s emotion.
2. Post your thoughts for discussion.
3. Read and comment on others’ posts.
4. Ask me questions.

Lesson 5 (Wednesday):
Using description to show emotion through irony
Homework:
1. If you can, find a description in a book by an author you really like where irony is involved.
2. Post your thoughts for discussion.
3. Read and comment on others’ posts.
4. Ask me questions.

Lesson 6 (Friday):
Using description when slowing down the story is the right thing to do.
Homework:
1. If you can, find a description in a book by an author you really like where the author slowed down a scene that might otherwise be too fast by including setting.
2. Post your thoughts for discussion.
3. Read and comment on others’ posts.
4. As me questions.

Week 3:
Lesson 7 (Monday):
Weave your description, don’t make it a paragraph of just description.
Homework:
1. Find a description in a book by an author you really where the description of the setting is woven throughout the scene.
2. Post your thoughts for discussion.
3. Read and comment on others’ posts.
4. As me questions.

Lesson 8 (Wednesday):
Summary of all previous lectures.
Homework:
1. Post a scene from your work-in-progress where you’ve used what we’ve learned to make a location feel real to the reader.
2. Read others’ scenes and give supportive and constructive feedback.
3. Ask me questions.

Lesson 9 (Friday):
Review. (New lecture—whatever seems appropriate based on what people’s homework demonstrated or what questions were asked.)
Homework:
1. Post a scene from your work-in-progress where you’ve used what we’ve learned to show a POV character’s emotion.
2. Read others’ scenes and give supportive and constructive feedback.
3. Ask me questions.

Week 4:
Lesson 10 (Monday):
Review. (New lecture lecture—whatever seems appropriate based on what people’s homework demonstrated and what questions were asked.)
Homework:
1. Post a scene from your work-in-progress where you’ve used what we’ve learned to slow down a scene that would otherwise be too fast.
2. Read others’ scenes and give supportive and constructive feedback.
3. Ask me questions.

Lesson 11 (Wednesday):
Review. (New lecture lecture—whatever seems appropriate based on what people’s homework demonstrated and what questions were asked.)
Homework:
1. Post a scene with description of setting in it. Either one you’ve reworked because of the comments you’ve received, or one you haven’t shared yet. Whatever will help you the most.
2. Read others’ scenes and give supportive and constructive feedback.
3. Ask me questions.

Lesson 12 (Friday):
Answers to final questions. Good-bye.