How to Use Place to Power Your Story+ bonus workbook

Why do some stories stay with us long after we’ve turned the last page?

Main characters, plot twists, and clever dialogue are, of course, part of a good story—but in my five years of coaching aspiring authors, I’ve seen one element consistently underused: setting.

That real café, that fictional street, that childhood bedroom—brought to life with sensory details—aren’t just background noise. They are one of the most powerful tools you can use to shape a compelling story.

The best stories don’t just happen. They happen somewhere.

Studies published in journals like the Harvard Business Review have shown that storytelling with strong emotional grounding—especially through a vivid sense of place—boosts recall, trust, and emotional connection.

In my latest article, I explore how to use place to power your story—whether you're writing fiction or personal stories—and how to build a well-balanced power system around setting that supports plot, character, and theme.

You'll learn:

• How to transform setting from an afterthought to an essential tool

• Why writing from your own experiences builds lasting reader trust

• 7 storytelling techniques that connect place with emotional impact

• Paid subscribers also get instant access to the Story Setting Workbook — a practical, fillable PDF to help you map out your own story setting and create scenes that feel alive, grounded, and memorable.

  
  

👉 Read the full article — includes a free bonus workbook for paid subscribers.

From your own life to your fictional world, setting can be the difference between a story that’s read—and one that’s remembered.

Start using place as your secret storytelling weapon.