Setting Description Template: Video Arcade

Sight

Rows of machines with colorful pictures on the sides, glowing screens, toggles, controls, buttons, coin slots, ticket slide, coin exchange machine, ticket counter, thin patterned carpet or polished flooring, wires, neon lights, claw games filled with stuffed toy prizes, washrooms, stools, racing games with seats, dance pads, basketball/hoop games, whack-a-mole…

Sounds

Bleeps, bloops, recorded crowd cheering, game noises: car noises (revving engines, squealing tires, crashing noises), explosions, gunfire, booms, chiming bings from a pinball game, moaning, groaning zombies, growls, barking dogs, crashes, glass breaking, etc tickets being pushed out a slot, kids shouting, laughing, cheering, cursing, yelling…

Smells

Sweat, old carpet, dust, hot electronics, neon lighting (metallic), stale breath, hair spray/hair products, body sprays

Tastes

Saliva, snack food (chips, chocolate bars, licorice), pop, water, energy drinks, gum, mints

Touch

Slippery cold coins in a sweaty palm, slipping them into the slot, jabbing at buttons, slamming hand against the side if the machine in frustration, grabbing a drink for a quick slurp before the next level kicks in, holding a rifle controller, squeezing the trigger, pressing foot down on the gas controller of a racing game, jerking the steering wheel, pressing back…

Helpful hints:–The words you choose can convey atmosphere and mood.

Example 1: Squinting in the low light, I searched the rows of gaming machines for Caleb. Where the hell was he? I called his name, raising my voice to be heard over the loud bomb blasts and gunfire belching out the nearby shoot-em-up games. A few teens looked up, and I was tempted to ask if they’d seen my nephew, but the flat-eyed stare they leveled at me was the kind reserved for pedophiles. Forget it–the manager had to be around her some place. I’d ask him…

–Similes and metaphors create strong imagery when used sparingly.

Example 1: (Simile) Annie might be a girl, but she still knew how to handle a shotgun. I was in awe watching her tackle the game, Blood Apocalypse–each zombie that stepped through the doorway barely made it a step before she blew it apart like an egg left in the microwave…

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.