Setting as Character When writers talk about story craft, we often focus on characters, plot, and voice. Setting can sometimes feel like “the part where we describe the street” before getting to the good stuff. But here’s the truth: a strong setting is not  background wallpaper.It ’s energy. Pressure. Mood. Possibility. And when you treat your setting like a character , everything deepens. Your scenes feel more grounded. Your tone becomes richer. Your characters don’t just mo