Mastering Continuity: How to Keep Track of Setting Details in Your Series
Why Consistency in Setting Matters
When writing a series, keeping track of setting details is crucial. Readers notice and appreciate consistency, and small changes in a setting can break immersion. But as you develop your world across multiple books, keeping track of every detail—down to the color of the café on the corner or the scent of a character’s favorite flower garden—can get overwhelming.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through proven methods to keep track of your series settings, so you can build an immersive, consistent world. Follow these steps, and you’ll stay on top of even the smallest details!
What You’ll Need
Here’s a quick list of tools and materials to help you organize your setting details:
Notebook or digital notes app (to record setting details)
Spreadsheet software (for easy sorting and access)
Character and setting profile templates (for consistency)
Map or location software (if your setting includes specific places)
(Pro Tip: Using a digital tool like Scrivener, Notion, or even Google Sheets can make it easy to add, edit, and access setting details as you write.)
Step 1: Create a Setting Bible
A “Setting Bible” is a dedicated document where you store all your setting information. This might sound like a lot of work, but it’s worth it.
Start by creating categories: Include sections like “Town Details,” “Weather Patterns,” “Historical Facts,” and “Important Landmarks.”
List key details in each category: For example, under “Town Details,” you might include a list of stores, parks, schools, and neighborhoods, complete with descriptions.
Be detailed, but don’t overdo it: Only add information that is relevant to the story. Readers don’t need to know the layout of every building unless it matters to the plot.
Example
Let’s say your story takes place in the fictional town of Willow Falls. In your Setting Bible, you might have a section like this:
Town Square: A central gathering spot with a fountain and lush greenery. Popular meeting place for characters.
Main Street Café: Known for its rustic decor and the strong smell of freshly brewed coffee. It’s where the main character often goes to write.
Library: An old, quiet building with wooden shelves and cozy reading corners. Has a mysterious, abandoned section.
(Pro Tip: Include a “First Appearance” note to remind you where a setting detail is first mentioned, making it easy to check back.)
Step 2: Use a Digital Tool for Easy Access and Updates
Digital tools make it easier to update details, especially in long series. Here are some helpful digital tools:
Scrivener: Use the “Notes” and “Research” sections for settings and upload visual references if needed.
Notion: Build pages for each location and link related pages to make navigation easier.
Google Sheets: Create a sortable spreadsheet with columns like “Location Name,” “Description,” and “Notable Events.”
Example
Imagine you’re writing a fantasy series with multiple cities. Using Google Sheets, you create columns labeled “City Name,” “Description,” “Important Landmarks,” and “Notable Events.” For each city, you fill in relevant details. You can then sort by “City Name” to find any location quickly.
(Expert Advice: Add a “Character Connections” column in your sheet to remind you of any character relationships with specific settings. This can add continuity and make referencing back easier.)
Step 3: Make Maps or Floor Plans
If your series includes complex settings, such as a castle with many rooms or a sprawling city, a visual reference can be invaluable.
Draw maps of key locations: Sketch out a rough map of towns, neighborhoods, or important buildings. Include points of interest, even if they don’t come up often.
Label each area with key descriptions: Mark areas with quick notes, like “Dark Forest – where main character found the ancient sword” or “Queen’s Chamber – only accessible to the royal family.”
Refer to maps while writing: When writing, check your map so you remember where each location is relative to others. This ensures continuity, especially if your characters travel.
Example
If your series includes a massive academy for magic training, draw a basic floor plan with wings for dorms, classrooms, libraries, and practice areas. Label the areas your characters frequent, adding small notes about each (e.g., “Alchemy Room – always smells like sulfur”).
Step 4: Document Seasonal and Environmental Changes
Settings are dynamic—they change with seasons, time of day, and weather. To track these details, keep a “Seasonal and Environmental Changes” section in your Setting Bible.
Define the typical climate: Does your setting experience four seasons, or is it consistently warm or cold?
Mark seasonal events or festivals: If your story has traditions tied to specific times of the year, note them here.
Log any major environmental changes: Natural disasters or unusual events (like a long winter) can impact your setting’s feel and mood, so track these too.
Example
Your series is set in the seaside town of Coral Cove, where the summer months are lively with tourists, while winters are quiet and a bit eerie. You note this seasonal contrast, which allows you to shift the town’s atmosphere between books or chapters.
(Pro Tip: Describe small seasonal details, like the sound of leaves crunching in fall or the smell of rain in spring. Readers love these sensory touches.)
Step 5: Add Photos and Visual References
Using images can help you keep track of the visual details. Even if you’re creating a fictional world, inspiration images can make it easier to recall specific features of your setting.
Collect images for each location: Use Pinterest or Google Images to find visuals that remind you of each setting. Label each image so it’s easy to find.
Add descriptions to each image: This way, if you forget what inspired you, the description can remind you.
Refer to visuals while writing: Use these images to stay consistent with details like architecture, lighting, and colors.
Example
If you’re writing about a grand ballroom, find photos of luxurious ballrooms. You might label your photo “Gold chandeliers, marble floors, mirrors on every wall.” This way, every time you describe the ballroom, you can refer back to the photo for continuity.
Step 6: Create Character-Specific Setting Notes
Some settings have personal significance to characters. Tracking these connections can help you create emotional depth and ensure consistency in how they relate to those places.
Identify important settings for each main character: This might be their childhood home, a workplace, or a favorite park.
Record memories associated with each place: Add notes about any personal memories or associations they have with that place.
Track changes in these locations: If a location undergoes renovations or destruction, note these changes.
Example
If your character, Emma, often visits the old bookstore where she first met her best friend, note that connection. You might write, “Emma’s favorite bookstore—smells of old paper. Feels at peace here. Site of major turning point in Book 1.” When Emma visits later, you can bring up these memories, giving readers a richer connection.
Step 7: Build a Continuity Checklist
A continuity checklist can save you from small mistakes that can break reader immersion.
List every setting detail that appears in each book: Include locations, specific furniture, or significant objects.
Check off details as you use them: When writing a new book, refer to the checklist to make sure you’ve accurately described the setting.
Update as you go: Add new details to the checklist with each book, so it grows as your series grows.
Example
If your character lives in a house with a distinctive red front door and a squeaky wooden porch, list these in your checklist. Every time they come home, you can check that the house’s description is consistent with prior books.
Pro Tips for Long Series with Multiple Books
Use a Master Document: Keep a single, overarching Setting Bible that includes all settings from each book. This prevents inconsistencies as your series grows.
Example: If your series spans multiple cities or countries, create a master document with sections for each place. This can serve as a quick reference.
Make Use of Timelines: Timelines are helpful for tracking changes in settings over time, like renovations or new constructions.
Example: If a new café opens in Book 3, mark it on your timeline. This helps you remember when characters started visiting it.
Designate Setting Categories for Quick Reference: Divide your Setting Bible by categories (like “Urban Settings” or “Nature Settings”), making it easier to find specific locations.
Example: If you have both forests and cities in your story, split your notes so you can quickly refer to the category that applies.
Recap of Key Steps
To track settings across a series, here’s a quick summary:
Create a Setting Bible to store details.
Use digital tools to keep information accessible.
Make maps or floor plans for complex settings.
Document seasonal and environmental changes.
Add photos and visual references.
Make character-specific setting notes.
Build a continuity checklist.
Start Building Your Setting Bible Today!
Ready to master your series’ setting continuity? Start creating your Setting Bible today and use these steps to keep track of every detail. With this guide, you’ll be able to create a rich, immersive world that remains consistent, book after book.
Found this guide helpful? Check out our World-Building Guide for more tips on creating vivid, unforgettable settings! And feel free to share your setting ideas in the comments below. Let’s build worlds together!
FAQ: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Q: What if I introduce a new setting in a later book?
A: Just add it to your Setting Bible as a new entry. Track it in your continuity checklist as you would any other location.
Q: How can I avoid contradicting details about my setting?
A: Always refer back to your Setting Bible and checklist when describing familiar places. This way, you’re less likely to contradict earlier details.
Q: What if I have a lot of settings that only appear briefly?
A: For minor settings, a brief description in your Setting Bible is often enough. List only the essential features if they’re unlikely to recur.
These strategies will help you maintain a consistent, immersive setting across your series. Happy world-building!
