The Wicked, Weird, and Wild Side of Setting
WITH Tracy Forgie Koppel w/a Llewella ForgieRegistration ends November 11, 2026!
Class Description
Why do the craft books make such a fuss about the setting if we sometimes find them boring?
Do your descriptions make the reader only feel they are standing in the setting, or do they also show your character’s quirks, expertise, and emotions? Does your setting do triple duty by intentionally changing the pace of your story?
In this class, we’ll look at how great writers have used setting to make a scene immersive, how other great writers have used setting to show a character’s quirks or expertise. We’ll also look at examples of how setting is used to show a character’s emotion. Finally, we’ll look at examples that are using setting for multiple purposes, all at once. Tight, effective writing!
Optional homework will allow students to apply lessons to their own writing and get feedback from the instructor and/or other students.
Syllabus
All times listed below are shown in YOUR local timezone.
Week 1:
- Lesson 1: Too often, descriptions are boring. Some readers skip over them. Why do we even need them?
Posted Lecture: Monday, November 2, 2026 - Lesson 2: What are the makings of a good description of a setting? (Overview: details relevant to POV character, attitude of the character to the place, five senses, doesn’t slow the story.)
Posted Lecture: Monday, November 4, 2026 - Lesson 3: Using all five senses in a description. (Okay, taste is only rarely used. Usually only four senses.)
LIVE ZOOM: Friday, November 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST
Week 2:
- Lesson 4: Making descriptions of setting feel relevant to the reader
LIVE ZOOM: Monday, November 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM EST - Lesson 5: Using description of setting to show the emotion of the POV character
LIVE ZOOM: Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST - Lesson 6: Weave (or braid) descriptions of setting into the scene
LIVE ZOOM: Friday, November 13, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST
Week 3:
- Lesson 7: Using description when slowing down the story is the right thing to do. Either because the scene would be too fast, or because the characters and the readers need a rest.
LIVE ZOOM: Monday, November 16, 2026 at 1:00 PM EST - Lesson 8: Using description of setting to foreshadow
LIVE ZOOM: Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST - Lesson 9: Using descriptions of setting in openings
LIVE ZOOM: Friday, November 20, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST
Week 4:
- Lesson 10: Using description to show emotion through unexpected contrast
LIVE ZOOM: Monday, November 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM EST - Lesson 11: Review. (New lecture—based on what people’s homework demonstrated and what questions were asked.)
LIVE ZOOM: Tuesday, November 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST - Lesson 12: Answers to final questions.
LIVE ZOOM: Friday, November 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST
About the Instructor
Llewella Forgie is the pen name of Tracy Forgie Koppel. She is an award-winning author and also was one of a few developmental editors for the anthology Turning Points which came out in June 2021, and she reprised that role for the anthology Meaningful Conflicts which came out in April 2023. She has an MA in Education from Northwestern University, and her editing work has been praised by many. She lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her husband, two daughters, and an overworked Internet router.
Visit the instructor’s website at https://llewellaforgie.com, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/llewella.forgie and BlueSky at https://bsky.app/profile/lynndarley.bsky.social.
Class Delivery
Class Format
4-WEEK COURSE
Written Lectures: Yes
Writing Exercises: Yes (optional)
Zoom Lectures: Yes
Class Fees
$40 for RFW members
$55 for non-members
Registration ends November 11, 2026!
Scholarships are available for members
