How to define saturnine setting for a novel?

A graveyard at midnight. Tombstones of various shapes and sizes jut out from the overgrown grass. The moonlight is weak, filtered through a thick layer of clouds, casting an eerie glow. The wind whistles through the leafless trees that surround the graveyard, making a mournful sound. A faint mist hovers just above the ground, adding to the overall sense of melancholy and mystery.

A small, desolate town on the edge of a vast, murky swamp. The air is thick with a damp chill and a perpetual fog that obscures the view. The buildings are dilapidated, their wooden facades rotting and paint peeling. The few remaining streetlights flicker ominously, casting long, distorted shadows. The town square is empty, save for a broken - down fountain that sputters out a slow trickle of brackish water.

It can create a sense of foreboding. For example, if the story is a mystery, a saturnine setting like a spooky old house might make the reader expect something bad to happen.

A saturnine setting usually incorporates elements such as a lack of hope, a brooding environment, and maybe even a touch of the supernatural to add an eerie feel. It makes the reader feel on edge and uncertain about what will happen next.

The saturnine setting in a novel is really powerful for enhancing the mood. It can do this in several ways. Firstly, it can act as a visual cue for the reader. If the setting is described as a run - down, grey - toned place, it immediately gives off a feeling of sadness or decay. Secondly, it can affect the pacing of the story. A slow - moving, saturnine setting might make the story seem more drawn - out and somber. For instance, a story set in a post - apocalyptic wasteland where everything is dull and lifeless. The characters' movements through this setting will seem more labored and their hopes more bleak. This all adds to the overall mood of the novel.

Incorporate the five senses. Not just how things look, but how they smell (like damp earth), sound (a low moan of the wind), feel (the cold, clammy air), and even taste (the metallic tang in the air after a storm). This will fully immerse the reader in the saturnine setting.

The setting of a novel is like the backdrop of a play. It's all about where and when the story unfolds. It could be a fictional world, like Middle - earth in 'The Lord of the Rings', which has its own unique geography, cultures, and races. Or it could be a real - world location during a specific historical event, like Paris during the French Revolution. The setting often helps to create the mood. A spooky old mansion in a remote forest will likely create a sense of mystery and fear, while a sunny beach might bring a feeling of relaxation and joy.

To define the setting of a story, first think about the geographical location. Is it a bustling city, a quiet countryside, or an exotic island? Then consider the time period. Are we in the future, the past, or the present? Also, don't forget the mood of the place. A dark, gloomy forest will create a different atmosphere than a sunny beach.

The setting of a story includes the time, place, and social environment. For example, if it's a historical novel, the time could be the Middle Ages and the place might be a European castle. The social environment could involve the feudal system, with lords, knights, and peasants.

Dark, gloomy weather can be a key element. For example, constant rain or thick fog that shrouds the landscape. Also, dilapidated buildings like an old, crumbling mansion with broken windows and overgrown ivy. And a desolate location such as an abandoned town or a lonely graveyard.