If you’re not using your story setting(s) as character, you’re missing a crucial element to bring readers into your world.
Here’s what to do: Pick one setting of your story–one setting of one scene. When I’ve done this, I’ve always started with a smaller setting, not the larger one that envelops most of your story world. For example, I did this once with a coffee shop where my heroine and her best friend met for breakfast during the Christmas season.
Now, some questions:
What is the general feel of this setting? (most people think “cozy” for a coffee shop, but that day, it was frantic for my heroine, who was on the verge of making a huge decision about the hero). It can mirror the current emotion of your heroine or oppose it for even more drama.
What is the physical layout of the setting? Draw a diagram/map (trust me)
What objects in the setting have potential meaning or an emotional link? Why? (may not always apply, but finding something with emotional resonance in a scene can cement the reader and make the setting come to life)
If this is new to your heroine, what elements of the new setting can tie to a setting she’s already familiar with?
If this is not a new setting to your heroine, what is something new she notices this time? Why does she notice it?
What types of smells are there and what do those smells trigger for your heroine?
Are there any elements in this setting that can be personified? (not so much in the coffee shop but in natural settings or more intimate settings, this works well).
Last, is this the best setting for this scene? Is there another setting in your story world that might help the events of this scene come to life more for your heroine? What does this setting offer that no other setting can? Just like our characters have personality, our settings do as well. Match the setting to the need of the scene for maximum impact!
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