“Sense of place” is a big idea. For today, I want you to look at this video about the Canadian artist, Muarice Cullen (1866 – 1934). He worked in the painting tradition of impressionism. He brought close observation of nature, in particular snowy forests, to the craft of painting.
The challenge for all artists is how to convey what you are thinking. How to convey what you are seeing.
For painters, the skill at making a painting that conveys the feeling of the place depiced is in how they handle paint and brushes. For writers, it is how we handle words.
Painters paint scenes we can see with your eyes. Writers paint scenes we “see” in our mind’s eye.
Impressionism was mostly focused on nature. What I’d like you to do is to think about what you see in this movie, and then apply that to a writing in which you develop the sense of a place that is totally artificial. I am here thinking perhaps expanses of commerical carpeting or other flooring rather than snow. Perhaps rows of shelving piled with items for sale rather than trees.
This is an excerise in creating a setting in which your story will take place. Good luck! You may post what you make in the comments to share with others.
Further research.
Sense of place explained in the Wikipedia. This is a complex entry. More approriate for advanced students and teachers.
William Rubel 