Involve your surroundings in your writing

Happy Birthday John Steinbeck! (1902) One of my personal favorite authors, he’s most known for The Grapes of Wrath. But don’t miss East of Eden, Travels With Charley, or Cannery Row either.

Notice how he involves the setting around him in his writing. How can your surroundings influence your writing?
Exercises 1. Write about a setting throughout your life that has been important to you. Why has it been important or special? Share any good memories you have with this place. 2. Place: A carnival. Mood: Spooky. 3. Place: Dentist Office Character: Dentist just out of dental school, trying to impress a new patient.