#setting writing

Hey hey! Thank you so much for your ask! When it comes to psychological thrillers, I find that there are two main concepts that really solidify an uncanny vibe: the characters and the environment. (Plot is always important, but plot comes with your story naturally, so that won't be a big focus!)

By successfully implementing and developing these ideas, you can build a pretty creepy and mysterious setting!

With that being said, here's:

How to Depict an Eerie, Ominous Atmosphere (Especially For Psychological Thrillers)

Part 1: Characters

It seems indirect, but how people act and think in a situation influences how we view the situation itself. For this type of setting especially, highlight just how flawed your characters are.

I. Desperation

What is at stake? How do your characters react to this? Show the cracks in their character. How they're being pushed into extremities. What they're willing to sacrifice--what they're not willing to sacrifice. Their desperate selfishness. Their doubts and insecurities and how they manifest.

It's nearly impossible to function properly in a high-tension, high-pressure environment. Peoples' worst traits are revealed here, and honestly? They just get uglier. Morals get compromised, promises are broken; everyone's in survival mode.

Of course, this takes time. Your cast should appear more or less normal at first, but as time goes on, you should be able to see the desperation really peek through.

Don't be afraid of this. Being able to properly utilize and depict humans in such tight conditions can absolutely sell your story!

II. The Odd Little... Artifacts.

In these situations, there are two types of people: those who panic, but are mostly honest about it, and those who don't.

The latter types of characters are dangerous. They're also trying to survive, but they approach the circumstances differently. They don't waste energy. They think things through with a cold, methodical, mindset because they're trying to win.

With (though not limited to) these characters, you'll often see sudden, odd shifts in mannerisms or seemingly "out-of-character" actions. They'll notice small details but don't comment on it. Their moods might be more variable. They might be more secretive.

I wouldn't suggest straight-up demonstrating the intentions of these characters to the audience because their small shifts in character builds juicy tension and suspicion.

People who panic under extreme pressure? Normal. It reveals the intensity of the pressure. But those who don't? That's terrifying.

Part 2: Describing the Environment

When you asked me how to write an eerie atmosphere, I'm assuming this is what mainly had in mind, so let's talk about it!

I. Tension and Buildup

One of the most important aspects of writing a creepier setting is to infuse it with suspense.

Your characters are going to start feeling increasingly scared and tense as you reach the climax. Bring that out. Show the clipped conversations. Show how everyday, light peasantries receive no response. How no one can quite look in each others' eyes.

Such tension makes your readers aware that the situation is serious and there's things at stake.

II. Describe What's There... Or What's Not

I'm not one to say that in order to write an eerie atmosphere, your setting needs to be in a graveyard or abandoned mall; however, I believe that no matter what setting you are in, especially if it's not a more common "horror" location, you need to bring out the notion that wherever the characters are is rather uncanny.

Describe the small stuff first. Not only does it help with imagery, but it also shows how on-edge your characters are since they notice these things.

Mention the small scuffle they heard. The branch snapping. The howling of the wind. How every person in the area looks at them oddly.

Or?

Mention how the area is creepily silent. How the air seems as still and stale as a rusting, abandoned statue. How none of the towns' villagers will meet their eyes.

If you ever don't know how to begin describing, use the five senses as a checklist and begin as you see fit!

III. Show Physical Responses

Describing the environment directly is not a bad technique, but by adding some indirect description, you're really foiling this out!

Your character will notice stuff. They'll make comments. And dialogue can do a lot. They're great for foreshadowing and provide excellent description in itself.

"I don't like where this is heading." -> That's hesitation. Fear.

"It's not too late to turn back." -> That's doubt. Regret.

"Do y'all also have a bad feeling about this..?" -> That's apprehension. Premonition.

Aside from dialogue, don't forget to depict the small, nervous actions!

Sweaty palms, darting eyes, goosebumps, chills, drumming fingers: these things say so much without saying anything at all.

Remember: tension is formed by the tension of the characters.

***

This was a little long, but I hope this helps on your writing journey! Again, I very much appreciate your request, and if there is anything else I can do, please let me know!

Happy writing~

The setting should be suburban Texas-- the Dallas, Fort Worth area. The setting itself, while conservative, isn’t cowboys, rednecks and constant bible-thumping for the most part. It isn’t the bible-belt. It’s a quiet sort of conservationism that will help add to the conflict of the story.

The Setting and Ava:

The setting has a certain expectation of what Ava’s role as a woman is. Growing up she is surrounded by housewives, young women looking for Mrs. degrees, and billboards for antiabortion. All of this shapes an idea of what being a woman is supposed to mean-- married (to a man), child-bearing, home maker. All of it she sees in her mother and her grandmother, who also grew up with the suburban Texas perspective, and who are her closest representations of what it means to be female.

In school she will be taught abstinence while antiabortion protesters swarm outside.

In a way, the setting is it’s own quiet villain. It will offer an opponent to who she is as a person-- bisexual, sexually active, no desire for motherhood-- and lead to certain actions she will take because she thinks it’s her only choice. 

In her adulthood, the setting will make the fact that she gets an abortion in her adulthood more effective. Because of the way abortions work in Texas, you have to get an ultrasound first, which will allow Ava to really truly react to her pregnancy and her revulsion to it. It will also add more tension to the fact that she is a married woman getting an abortion.

The Setting and Raquel:

Much like Ava, Raquel’s sexuality also opposes the ideals of the setting. Being much louder in her sexuality than Ava, Raquel will also be met with more scorn.

Additionally, Raquel is Latina. While suburbia aren’t as obvious, the racism is still there, and so is the fear. Growing up, even in a consistent suburban area, it was normal to be afraid, of the cops and being sent back to Mexico. Brought across the border while still an infant, Raquel has no choice in her fear and knows that it’s more that just an cruel but harmless threat, especially after her father was deported in her early teens. The paranoia that comes with her environment weighs on her heavily.

The Setting and Lee:

As a passing trans man, Lee feels like that part of his identity is the skeleton in his closet for his family. Lee offers an interesting opposition to Raquel, whose identity is very out in the open but who gets little support. Lee’s family technically have supported and helped him through his transition. However, Lee’s identity and part in the LGBTQA+ community is never spoken about, especially not outside the immediate nuclear family. They fear their unforgiving environment, but there is also an unspoken shame to their divergence from the normal.

There is also the contrast between Lee at home and Lee his out-of-state college. At home he feels hidden away, but at college he is actually able to express his pride and be a part of the community.

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