• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • About WHW
    • Press Kit
    • Resident Writing Coaches
    • Contact Us
    • Podcasts & Interviews
    • Master Storytelling Newsletter
    • Guest Post Guidelines
    • Privacy Policy
    • Charities & Support
  • Bookstore
    • Bookstore
    • Foreign Editions
    • Book Reviews
    • Free Thesaurus Sampler
  • Blog
  • Software
  • Workshops
  • Resources
    • List of Resources
    • Recommended Writing Books
    • WHW Descriptive Thesaurus Collection
    • Free Tools & Worksheets
    • Grab A Free Show-Dont-Tell Pro Pack
  • WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

Setting Thesaurus Entry: House Party

March 27, 2010 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

Sight

Crowded hallways, people sitting on the stairs, beer cans/bottles left on tables, blasting stereo, haze from cigarettes/pot, decorative lighting, cheesy decorations, line ups for the bathrooms, people crowding onto couches, chairs, dancing, groups standing around the pool table or Foosball table, bowls of chips, pretzels, popcorn strewn about, steady traffic to…

SoundsLoud music, laughing, yelling, shouting, crying, screaming, arguing, glass breaking, smoke alarm going off, doors opening closing, beer bottles on the fridge door clinking together every time it’s opened/shut, glasses thumping onto the table, drunken whooping, the click of pool balls hitting each other and shuttering into pockets, cries of indignation of…

Smells

Spilled beer, hair products, perfume, aftershave, alcohol, spicy chips, fresh microwaved popcorn, pizza, pot, cigarette smoke, vomit, sweat, beer breath

Tastes

Alcohol, pop, water, cigarettes, pot, gum, mints, chips, popcorn, pretzels, pizza, beer, coolers

Touch

Sticky counters, crunchy chips under foot, the poke of stepping on a beer cap against the heel, bumping, pushing, shoving, shoulder sliding together as you pass someone on the stair or tight hallway, feeling an anonymous pinch or grope in a crowded room, hugging drunk people, brushing up against others as you dance in a crowded space, a cool beer…

Helpful hints:

–The words you choose can convey atmosphere and mood.

Example 1: I staggered down the hallway, bumping into people and mumbling apologies until I reached the bathroom. I squinted, but it didn’t help my focus. No matter how hard I tried, there were three doorknobs on the bathroom door. “I’ll take number two, Alex,” I slurred, honing in on the middle one…

–Similes and metaphors create strong imagery when used sparingly.

Example 1: (Metaphor) Out on the back deck, the joint passed from hand to hand, a single demonic eye moving through the shadows…

Think beyond what a character sees, and provide a sensory feast for readers

Logo-OneStop-For-Writers-25-smallSetting 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.

The Setting Thesaurus DuoOn 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.

Bookmark and Share
ANGELA ACKERMAN
ANGELA ACKERMAN

Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. xproverbs31womanx says

    April 11, 2018 at 11:34 am

    This can also apply to dorm parties.

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      April 11, 2018 at 11:48 am

      It sure can:)

  2. Sherry Soule says

    November 15, 2012 at 9:23 pm

    This so helpful! I can’t wait for you guys to create a “setting Thesaurus” book!

    ~Sherry
    If you have a minute, check out my books!

  3. Lindsey Edwards says

    March 31, 2010 at 12:00 am

    I love this! I actually do this for myself, so cool to know others do the same and I’m not alone!

  4. Theresa Milstein says

    March 29, 2010 at 8:30 am

    I’m glad I found your blog. Writers need to get inside their characters’ heads to experience all that they’re experiencing. If we don’t get and incorporate these kinds of details, our stories will be one-dimensional.

  5. Matthew Rush says

    March 29, 2010 at 7:49 am

    Not much specific to say about this as your post is awesome at a level equal to all your other posts – as usual.

    I do love the simile about the party goers worshiping the keg. I can remember feeling that way a little bit in high school; thinking that beer and liquid courage were the only way I could talk to girls.

  6. Jenna Reynolds says

    March 28, 2010 at 9:48 am

    I’m revising a party scene so thanks a lot for this!

  7. Jennifer Major says

    March 28, 2010 at 7:56 am

    really helpful!! Thanks

  8. Karen Lange says

    March 27, 2010 at 9:33 pm

    Wow, this brings some interesting images…Thanks, as always, for sharing.
    Happy weekend,
    Karen

  9. Kirsten Lesko says

    March 27, 2010 at 9:18 pm

    Mmmm – this party smells great! Brings me back to the good old days. LOL.

  10. K.Hinny says

    March 27, 2010 at 9:15 pm

    Thanks for the post! It was great!!

  11. Shannon O'Donnell says

    March 27, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    I think it’s been too long since I last told you that you’re BRILLIANT! If you could only keep one blog as a writing resource, it would be yours. 🙂

  12. Bish Denham says

    March 27, 2010 at 5:40 pm

    Wow, great post! I was like, you know, there!

Trackbacks

  1. Setting Thesaurus Entry Collection | WRITERS HELPING WRITERS says:
    October 11, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    […] House Party […]

Primary Sidebar


Welcome!

Writing is hard. Angela & Becca make it easier. Get ready to level up your fiction with game-changing tools, resources, and advice.

Follow Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe to the Blog

Check your inbox to confirm! If gremlins tried to eat it, you might have to check your spam folder.

Read by Category

Grab Our Button

Writers Helping Writers

Software that Will Change the Writing Game

One Stop for Writers

WRITERS HELPING WRITERS® · Copyright © 2023 · WEBSITE DESIGN BY LAUGH EAT LEARN

Cookies are delicious and ours help make your experience here better. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with our cookie use. Cookie settingsGOT IT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. More on our Privacy Policy here.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
 

Loading Comments...