When They Love the Gothic Setting
- J.H. Jones
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
I recently got feedback on selected chapters from the draft of my gothic mystery. One piece of feedback both beta readers shared was how much they enjoyed the setting.
Their comments were great news for me, because I've worked hard on the setting of my story. It takes place on the Catskill Mountains, mostly at an old, creaky manor where a vast forest, dark and mysterious, hulks against the building on one side. The action of the story spans the dilapidated estate and the creepy woods--where something lurks! What's more, my female main character must journey from the house to the forest, overcoming challenges, to understand herself and achieve her goal.
All this to say, the setting in a gothic is a vital element that establishes the atmosphere, evokes fear and dread, and serves as a symbol for the psychological state of the main character or characters. I continue to pay attention to setting as I edit my work-in-progress.
How am I learning about writing a successful gothic setting? The biggest contributors to my learning are books. That's why, if you're interested in gothic settings, whether you're a writer or a reader, I have a few suggestions of current and classic books, which demonstrate the impact of setting. You're likely familiar with many of these already, but if not, please check the author or the book out. And I know there are other titles that are superb, too. So, spook the comment button to add your own gothic favorites!
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