  Drama
This week: A Choice of Venue in Drama Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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An Elf Drama Newsletter
Today I look at the setting/location choices comparing obvious drama related spots to ones that seem less ideal. Considering contrast and when to pick which in writing a drama story. |
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Often, when we start talking about setting and location the technical side gets the focus. This is the part of writing I'm still trying to develop, how to describe a scene while not going too far since some things the reader just won't care about. This newsletter is not about that. Instead, what I wanted to do was look at some options we have with what location we put our characters in that are either obvious dramatic spots or more subtle. What I mean is: some locations and settings will let a reader know right away drama could happen because it's more common to have conflict in those places. However, even the more subtle can work really well with the right story because it creates more of a contrast, bringing the drama out to nab the reader.
What are some obvious drama locations or settings?
Think about horror stories for a moment. There are some locations used within horror stories that tell the reader right away, something bad is going to happen there. Any place that is abandoned, for example, is ripe for drama/horror. Then there is the huge house or mansion with a dark history where the last several tenants never stayed long. Or the circus, cause clowns. When we see certain locations or read about them in horror stories, we know something is going to happen there.
Another location is a place like a hospital. While there are non-dramatic factors to a hospital depending on situations and people, most of the time there is something going on if a hospital is involved. While a few comedies have done well set in the location of a hospital, by nature it's a location that can easily be associated with drama.
The thing about the locations that stand out is that we already associate some drama to that type of place, which is what makes it more obvious. Some can almost be to the point of stereotypical or too expected, which might work against a story at times.
What counts as a less obvious location for drama then?
This is going to be a bit situational and a little more challenging than the obvious side. We could say places that are boring, like the DMV (department of motor vehicles) but that one is overdone to the point of the boring lines being dramatic in and of themselves. The basic answer though is simply a place/location that is calmer and less prone to drama. This can vary based on person, characters and story. For me, my home and bedroom are very non-dramatic places but for someone else, that won't be the case. Maybe a yoga center, spa or meditation space might be a little less obvious for drama. Or it could be a park, if the character isn't a jogger in the beginning sequence of Law & Order. Some options are out there that won't be as obvious to the reader when it comes to expectations of drama.
Sometimes comedy is best found within tragedy. Likewise, the least dramatic place can make the drama appeal to the reader more because of the contrast created. However, one type (obvious or not) isn't necessarily better than the other. At times, an obvious location will make for the better story. Other times, a less obvious spot might help. All depends on your story.
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What location or setting do you like to use when writing drama?
Last time, I wrote about change and how that can create drama. I got one comment sent in about the topic.
Comment by Quick-Quill 
In my novel finding a letter from his grandmother caused him to question her whereabouts. This led to asking questions that got strong advice to cease. When he didn't a new friend died. Could the person who warned him have anything to do with it? Continuing each time MC gained ground, someone was there to try to stop him. This book has drama all over it. Its the one common review I've heard and read. "Once I got into It I couldn't put it down, I had to know what happened next." No sweeter words ever heard.
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Drama: August 12, 2015 Issue [#7154]
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