Tuesday 11 January 2011

5 NOTES ON ATMOSPHERE

Mumford and Sons create atmosphere with their careful selection of instruments, the cadence and rhythm of the songs and the tonal quality of their voices. Their sound is a long way from accidental.

FIVE NOTES TO CREATE ATMOSPHERE:
  • Choose an effective setting: nothing says isolation like a lone houses whether it is on the moorland or set back, at the end of a busy street .
  • Always describe the scenery using economy of description. Use all five senses to create atmosphere.
  • Earth, wind, fire or water can be used to build an atmosphere… fast.
  • Time breeds expectation in the reader – describing a specific time of day can help to create atmosphere.
  • Use strong or evocative language, to create a strong sense of place and atmosphere.





MUMFORD AND SONS SING ON A BALCONY AND LIVE

10 comments:

  1. Great atmosphere tips, and I loved the song.

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  2. Great advice; very concise, and spot-on. Thanks!

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  3. This is a great post. I try to go back during edits and make sure I hit at least most of the five senses.

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  4. Hi Patti
    I love your picture with the "soccer" ball - it makes me smile every time I see it. :)

    Hi Faith
    Thank you. I'm glad you found it useful.
    I'm a big fan of editing. I have been ever since I discovered it existed ;)

    Hi Summer
    Cheers :)

    Hi T.Anne
    On of my re-reads is to check up on senses-representation ;)

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  5. Great advice, I'm trying to do just that in my latest short story. :O)

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  6. Hi Madeline
    Thanks for the follow.
    Adding atmosphere is such an art form - as you are a poet you have a heads-up. You must be used to selecting words for their subtle nuances.

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  7. Great advice on creating atmosphere! It needs to be seamless, barely noticeable while having an impact, not easy to do.

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  9. Hi Karen
    Very true - minimalistic but atmospheric. I guess that is where metaphors come into play. ;)

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