The setting includes the physical location where a story takes place and the time period it occurs in. Accurately portraying the details of the setting makes it more likely to create a certain mood in your readers. This includes such things as clothing, transportation, weather, scenery, customs and types of buildings, as applicable. If your setting is a jungle or desert, the scenery would be the primary feature of the setting. Including time-specific information in the setting of your story allows your audience to envision the story and connect with the moods of the characters.
Creating a mood for your story invokes an emotional response among your readers. This is an important way to make an impact with your words and create a memorable tale. Using detail to describe the setting of your story is one way to set a mood that your readers are able to pick up on. For example, a scary story that includes plenty of details about a creepy location connects the setting by making a reader feel nervous and scared as he follows the story.
Before connecting your setting to the mood of your story, you must have an idea of what your story is about and how the time line will progress. Descriptive paragraphs will make the connection between where and when your story takes place, and the emotions you want your reader to feel. For example, if you are writing a story that takes place at Christmas, describing the music, the smells, the tastes of the food, and the nature of the gifts and trimmings invokes a festive mood in your reader. Another way to do this is to describe the moods and emotions of the characters in your story. Descriptions of a hospital room and the feelings of loss in a story about the death of a loved one allow your audience to feel like they are part of the tale.
Most stories are not complete with the first draft. Having another person read your story allows them to offer feedback regarding how they felt as they read it, and ways to more adequately connect the setting with the mood. A creative writing class is a good way to practice the skill while getting constructive criticism from peers and from an instructor who is experienced in good story telling. Before you begin writing, sit quietly and think about what descriptive words would invoke the emotion you are aiming to create.