The Writer's Craft: Modern Insights by Olivia Salter | Atmosphere | Chapter 11

 

The Writer's Craft: Modern Insights

(Atmosphere)

By Olivia Salter

CHAPTER 11

ATMOSPHERE in Fiction Writing

Atmosphere in fiction refers to the mood or emotional quality that surrounds a story, enveloping the reader and influencing their perception of events, characters, and settings. It is an essential element that sets the tone, deepens the emotional impact, and prepares the reader for key moments in the narrative. Here’s how atmosphere functions in fiction writing:

Definition

Atmosphere is the overall feeling or mood that permeates a story. It is created through the interplay of setting, description, tone, and even language choice. While often subtle, atmosphere shapes how the reader experiences the narrative, providing an emotional backdrop to the events of the plot. Whether it’s a sense of dread in a horror story or the warmth of a nostalgic memory, atmosphere helps immerse the reader in the world of the story.

General Atmospheric Value of Fiction

In fiction, atmosphere can evoke specific emotions that align with the story's themes or intentions. It enhances the reader's emotional engagement by creating a vivid sensory experience. Through careful use of atmosphere, a writer can make the reader feel uneasy, hopeful, tense, or melancholic, adding depth to the narrative. Even when not central to the plot, atmosphere enriches the reader's experience and makes the story more memorable.

Tone of Story

The tone of a story is closely tied to its atmosphere. While tone refers to the author’s attitude toward the subject matter (e.g., ironic, serious, playful), it directly influences the atmosphere by coloring the emotional undercurrent. For example, a mystery novel with a dark, foreboding tone will create an atmosphere of tension and intrigue, whereas a whimsical tone in a fantasy story might create a magical, light-hearted atmosphere. Establishing the right tone is crucial in setting up the story’s atmosphere and guiding the reader’s expectations.

Preparation of Reader for Climax

Atmosphere plays a critical role in preparing the reader for the story’s climax. By gradually building mood and tension, the writer can prime the reader for an emotional or dramatic peak. For example, in a horror story, a creeping sense of unease might be established through eerie descriptions, isolated settings, and quiet, disturbing details. This atmosphere sets the stage for the final terrifying reveal or confrontation. Similarly, a romance might slowly build an atmosphere of longing and anticipation, leading to a climactic emotional confession. The atmosphere serves as a bridge, preparing the reader for these key moments without disrupting the flow of the narrative.

Examples

Consider how Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher" uses atmosphere to intensify the sense of doom and decay. The oppressive, decaying mansion and the dreary weather create an overwhelming feeling of dread, which mirrors the psychological unraveling of the characters. In contrast, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby creates an atmosphere of excess, glamour, and underlying despair through descriptions of opulent parties and vivid imagery, setting the stage for the eventual tragedy.

Atmosphere can vary widely, from the tense and claustrophobic to the light and nostalgic. The key is that it supports the emotional and thematic resonance of the story.

The Story of Atmosphere

In some cases, atmosphere becomes the driving force of the narrative, as in stories where the mood or setting is just as important as the plot or characters. These stories—sometimes referred to as "mood pieces"—immerse the reader primarily through the world they create rather than through a fast-paced plot. For instance, in literary fiction or gothic tales, the atmosphere might be so deeply interwoven into the fabric of the narrative that it becomes a character in itself, influencing the events and shaping the reader’s emotional journey.

Short Story

In short stories, atmosphere must be established quickly and efficiently. With limited space, every description, word, and detail must contribute to building the mood. The atmosphere in a short story often intensifies the theme and helps compress the emotional impact, allowing for a brief yet powerful experience. For example, in Shirley Jackson's The Lottery, the atmosphere of an ordinary small town with underlying tension builds quickly, leading to the shocking and brutal climax.

Setting

Setting is one of the most direct tools for creating atmosphere. The physical environment in which the story takes place—the weather, time of day, geographical location, and sensory details—greatly affects the mood. A stormy night can set a tense, foreboding atmosphere, while a sunlit meadow can evoke peace and tranquility. Writers should carefully consider how to use setting not just as a backdrop, but as an active element in creating the desired emotional tone.

Slight Dramatic Value of Type

Certain "types" of atmosphere—like a dark and stormy night in a horror story or a sunny, pastoral setting in a romance—are often considered clichés, and therefore, may lack dramatic value if overused or not handled creatively. While these atmospheric types can still be effective, they should be used with nuance and originality to avoid feeling predictable. The challenge for writers is to take familiar atmospheric elements and infuse them with fresh details or subvert them in unexpected ways to maintain their dramatic impact.

Creating Atmosphere: The Creative Process

Crafting atmosphere in fiction is a balance between technical skill and intuitive creativity. It involves careful attention to language, sensory details, and pacing. Writers must tap into the emotions they want to evoke in the reader, selecting elements that will naturally draw out those feelings without being heavy-handed. Whether building slow-burning tension or creating an instant emotional hook, atmosphere is a key tool in fiction writing that, when mastered, can greatly enhance the power and immersion of a story.

CONTENT

Preface & Introduction

1. Chapter 1:   Writers and Life
2. Chapter 2:    Storytelling 1
3. Chapter 3:    Storytelling 2
4. Chapter 4:    Plotting
5. Chapter 5:    Narrative 1
6. Chapter 6:    Narrative 2
7. Chapter 7:    Narrative 3
8. Chapter 8:    Description
9. Chapter 9:    Dialogue
10. Chapter 10:  Characters
11. Chapter 11:  Atmosphere
12. Chapter 12:  Settings 
13. Chapter 13:  Short Story
14. Chapter 14:  The Novel
15. Chapter 15:  Conclusion