In this video, I explore the art of crafting milieu, exploring how the environment shapes not just your setting but also your characters’ emotions and actions.
You’ll hear a vivid example from George Saunders and discover the subtle ways you can weave atmosphere into your own writing.
Hello, Jane Cleland here.
I like what you said about milieu, that it’s more than just setting it’s environment. It’s all of the factors from language and culture and food, geography, and it’s also how the people feel about it. Got that part. Do I showcase it in my story through description? Well, the best way is to show the people interacting with the environment. And let me give you an example. This is from George Saunders’ short story “Home.”
Like in the old days, I came out of the dry creek behind the house and did my little tap on the kitchen window.
“Get in here, you,” Ma said.
Inside were piles of newspapers on the stove and piles of magazines on the stairs, and a big wad of hangers sticking out of the broken oven. All of that was as usual. New was a water stain in the shape of a cat head on the wall above the fridge, and the old orange rug rolled up halfway.
“Still ain’t no beeping cleaning lady,” Ma said.
I looked at her funny.
“Beeping?” I said.
“Beep you!” she said, “They been on my case at work.”
It was true. Ma had a pretty good potty mouth and was working at a church now, so…
Wonderful, right? It’s a very distinctive voice. You have a beginning of clear ideas about the characters. The child, the mother. I think it’s kind of wonderful. But you also get a clear idea of the milieu, the place where it’s taking place, and how the people interacting with that place feel about it. That’s how you showcase milieu.
I know you can do It!
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Thanks so much.
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