Sight
Mirror, sink, toilet, bidet, bathtub, shower, shower curtain, faucet, fluffy rugs/toilet cover, tissue box, toilet paper, TP holder, towel bar, ceiling fan, soap dish/soap pump, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bubble bath, bath bombs/bath beads, razors, tweezers, eyelash curler…
Sounds
blow dryer motor, running water, whirr of the overhead fan, spritz of hairspray or perfume, shower spray, globs of soap dropping to the shower floor, toilet flushing, singing, radio, electric shaver, the rasp of a nail file or clippers, the tearing of toilet paper…
Smells
Hairspray, astringent, perfume, cologne, creams, nail polish remover, shampoo/conditioner, smells from shower gel, bubble bath or salts…
Tastes
Tooth paste, accidentally getting a spray of hairspray in the mouth…
Touch
The sluice of water down the back, rinsing shampoo from the hair, the drag of a razor, the hot rush of a blow dryer, swiping cold mist from a mirror, damp air on the skin, smooth creams on dry skin, pain at nicking during a shave…
Helpful hints:
–The words you choose can convey atmosphere and mood.
Example 1: I opened the door, then gagged and slapped the fan on. It rattled to life, stirring the hairballs that littered the floor but doing nothing for the putrid air. Mildew spotted the tiles and discolored the sink. Chunks of something clung to the wall. I held my breath and decided that I didn’t have to go after all…
–Similes and metaphors create strong imagery when used sparingly.
Example 1: (Metaphor) Chrome shined and the mirrors sparkled–a thousand tiny smiles welcoming you in…
Think beyond what a character sees, and provide a sensory feast for readers
Setting is much more than just a backdrop, which is why choosing the right one and describing it well is so important. To help with this, we have expanded and integrated this thesaurus into our online library at One Stop For Writers. Each entry has been enhanced to include possible sources of conflict, people commonly found in these locales, and setting-specific notes and tips, and the collection itself has been augmented to include a whopping 230 entries—all of which have been cross-referenced with our other thesauruses for easy searchability. So if you’re interested in seeing a free sample of this powerful Setting Thesaurus, head on over and register at One Stop.
On the other hand, if you prefer your references in book form, we’ve got you covered, too, because both books are now available for purchase in digital and print copies. In addition to the entries, each book contains instructional front matter to help you maximize your settings. With advice on topics like making your setting do double duty and using figurative language to bring them to life, these books offer ample information to help you maximize your settings and write them effectively.
Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via One Stop For Writers—a powerhouse online library created to help writers elevate their storytelling.
Good ones, Jude!
Lol, Kate. Yeah…didn’t want to go into TOO much detail on that one, yanno?
Thanks PJ!
Bish, my cheeks are flaming apple red! How could I forget the royal throne???
Thanks for visiting, Pizza!
Mary, your poor husband! Tho, being a guy he probably doesn’t get as grossed out about is as we do…
Wow — Example 1 is a pretty fair description of the staff toilets in my husband’s school! Every time I pass by, I thank God I don’t work there — I’d absolutely have to give up coffee.
I’m off to clean my bathroom too…
Cool blog.
I like reading as well, I was wondering if you could take a look at my blog, maybe you could join it:
http://www.pizzasbookdiscussion.blogspot.com/
Thanks,
Pizza
Of course…there’s always a privy…
I think I grossed myself out with that one.
I can honestly find a use for almost every single on of your settings! It doesn’t have to be a long scene even. Just the minor details make all the difference!
“Toilet related odours”. LOL. I wondered how you’d get around that one!
Smells:
bleach and other toilet cleaning fluids (gives a swimming pool sort of smell)
minty smell of toothpaste or mouth wash
Marian: yup I’ve a friend whose bathroom is like a mini-greenhouse.
Marian: Yeah, it made me feel like I had to clean my bathroom too, lol.
C.R.: Thanks! Becca did the toilet-spewing example–what a great line!!
your thoroughness amazes me! :0)
Way to go on another great list!
Some people have real plants in their bathrooms, too – ferns and others that don’t mind a high-humidity, low-natural-light environment.
Or have I just been reading too many glossy magazines? One of those even had a picture of a window-shelf of plants grown in huge seashells.
Anothe evocative post, but it made me depressingly aware that I need to clean my bathroom.