People Who Do Things

39. Writing About Place

John H. Matthews and Laura Buchwald

In this episode, Laura and John dive into the power of place in fiction—how setting does more than anchor a story; it breathes life into it. They explore how writers can craft landscapes that shape mood, theme, and even character behavior, transforming locations into living, breathing entities. Whether you're building a fictional town or drawing from real-world places, this conversation offers insight into turning setting into a vital, memorable force in your storytelling.