How To Write Strong Atmosphere in Stories

Here are five ways to write a strong atmosphere for your story, plus examples. The jumpcut glitches at the beginning are atmospheric.
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[@HannahLeeKidder]

visual learners: hannahleekidder.com/2023/05/16/how-to-create-strong-atmosphere-in-creative-writing/

[@gloriarussell882]

vibes vibes vibes vibes (i'm pounding on the table i'm chanting the voices draw nearer)

[@HannahLeeKidder]

i've got no notes on this description

[@Iso20227]

I got chills.

[@digvi6225]

its 👏🏽 all 👏🏽 about 👏🏽 the 👏🏽 vibes 👏🏽 genuinely tho, i loved that alec's piece was a prologue bc i hadn't considered how crucial the right atmosphere is for a prologue and so much of the sentencing that may be fine for the novel needs to be stronger for a prologue

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Yesssss good openers are 💯

[@LACHRYMA]

"we could villainize the crabs" gotta be the best thing i heard all day

[@MrNoucfeanor]

Crabs are truly evil sure but what about June bugs coming out during march?!?!

[@coreywilliams4678]

Poor crabs

[@TimbrrWolfe]

As a writer that considers myself a pantser atmosphere is maybe one of the most instinctual things in my writing. Most of the time I just kind of get into the headspace of whatever I'm writing and let that guide word choices and descriptions and such. But having these tips to think about as I write should bump up my atmosphere game as I get more intentional with how I set it up.

[@HannahLeeKidder]

You? Pantser? No!

[@TimbrrWolfe]

@@HannahLeeKidder It's true! As unbelievable as that is, as tidy and organized I am in the rest of my life

[@moiberyloup303]

Hey, I’m a French 25yo girl, living in the UK. I’ve been writing (in French) for so many years I can’t count them, probably since ever. Thank you for your channel, the quality of image, the way you talk to us, I feel like we’re all writer-friends here. I think you’re doing a great job. If you need any French for anything, just let me know 😊 xxx new but loyal subscriber ✨

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Thank you so much!

[@barrowc]

Great video, Hannah! I hadn't considered how the senses that don't get mentioned in a description can also convey something about the scene, like familiarity with the smell of the swamp. I also really like how you can explain why you want to edit something and how that edit will strengthen what the author is trying to convey!

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Thanks for watching, friend! 🥰

[@TimbrrWolfe]

"...is framed like a happy stroll, because it's Marigold, and she's insane" Yeah but it's a good insane though

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Oh absolutely, she's chilling hard

[@ffstopP]

You are some smart, Hannah. Always learn a boat load from your writing tutorials.

[@HannahLeeKidder]

I'm so glad it was helpful!!

[@amandarandomtube4793]

So happy you popped into my feed this morning! I love your video style and you actually gave me "hacks" I haven't heard, which is rare. The one about always keeping one object in a scene in your mind with the gravestone example was an LED lightbulb moment, I'm definitely keeping that in mind when I do my next pass 💙💙💙

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Thanks for watching!

[@samkathryn4825]

Thank you for posting! This was super helpful!

[@HannahLeeKidder]

I'm so glad it helped! Thx for watching

[@author.gabrielavrivera]

Wow watching you edit was insanely helpful! I loved all of your suggestions. I'm not to the copy editing stage just yet but I'll definitely be referring back to your videos for then.

[@aifosardnaxela5135]

I learn a lot from the way you edit ♥️

[@martianram]

UGHHHH I've been in a writing and Twilight content drought on KZbin lately, and ur literally saving me. Between ur incredible and original writing content, and the Twilight rewrites I literally feel like the gods have heard my plea lmaoo tyyyy

[@astrophynix179]

Pretty young author/writer here, writing a book at the moment. Not fantasy, but these tips help a lot with editing my works. I struggle with keeping sentences short in literally every paragraph and just now realized how much more impact a certain scene had after I shortened one sentence. It also fixed the pacing, even though I never even added a single word. On a side note, I'm writing my book in english, which is in fact not my first language, so as both a young and semi-experienced writer (haven't written a book, wrote lots of other stuff throughout my entire life tho) that's another problem I have to face. I'll have to be honest, quite a few of english words mentioned in this video are ones I haven't heard of yet and will add to my 'useful words for writing' list. Thanks! PS: Guess who clicked on the subscribe button 👀 spoiler alert; it's me!

[@TKHaines]

Thanks for the video in general, but for mentioning bound specifically. I used the word bounce in a scene but wasn't quite right. Bound works so much better.

[@kelseybisset88]

Whew, I love your edits of that Fates scene

[@bhaktifleishman3173]

Incredibly helpful! thank you!

[@coreywilliams4678]

Great advice!

[@addy2453]

I write fanfictions but now I want my fanfictions to be actually good. Thank you!

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Fanfiction is great! Rock on

[@Elixerlite]

Do you have any information on the person who wrote the prolog? I'm hooked already, and I would love to read more of their work.

[@astrophynix179]

Same, I really liked the prologue.

[@lilheartgirlthewattpader2945]

This video really helped me out ❤

[@chelseamazvita5576]

Thank you very much all your videos are helping me to become a better writer

[@mariayates8625]

"At least one overly exited reader needs to scream at this"🤣

[@lllllllladybuuuug]

yesssss phenomenal ✨✨✨✨

[@nancyborgenicht3937]

I had a question I think Hannah Kidder is absolutely adorable and absolutely brilliant when it comes to her guidance on how to conquer any extra verbiage and how to really bring a reader who might be disinterested to begin with pull that person into the scene with extreme interest with that said I just wanted to know how would I get her to edit a story I'm doing a screenplay which will turn into a major movie for the masses of the audience I intend for this screenplay to include enough content where by producers will be extremely impressed and will have no other recourse because they'll be so enveloped in what I have to say and how it relates so much to the world, its universal appeal. Once screenplay goes to fruition, I myself will be writing it, based on my perspective and or my brother who's been deceased now since 2002. Upon his passing, it has been a dying obligation of mine to see that his memory remains intact. I am taking Hannah's tips very seriously . She Is the most innovative speaker I've yet to listen to. Bravo!!!!!! She's riveting and I'm transfixed to her narrative way of speaking. She has tips, galore and not for one second do I become disinterested or wishing to skim along video. She's brilliant and filled to the brim with amazing tips and hints .

[@diegoadriandlc5273]

I love your videos Hannah. I hope you have a great day.

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Thanks, Diego! I hope you have a great day too 🥰

[@archiesinclair6252]

I'm writing a book of scary short stories. It's all so dependant on atmosphere.

[@billyalarie929]

There’s 👏 so 👏 much 👏 I had 👏 to look 👏 up How do you just.. do you just KNOW phrases like “cypress knee” or did you have to do a deep dive to find the right thing, and THEN the right phrase to CONVEY that detail???

[@HannahLeeKidder]

I grew up on the bayou, so I cheated

[@BellaRosePope]

peeping a thriving purple plant in the background wow

[@celebalert5616]

that thumbnail had me thinking this was gonna be a banger ASMR vid tbh

[@HannahLeeKidder]

If you're into super shitty ASMR, we can pretend it is!

[@BillZebubproductions]

I would find it impossible to describe a swamp in a way that would make someone want to be in one. The stench doesn't seem to obey the rules of sensation. Humans are supposed to stop attending to things like odor, so maybe a swamp generates new foul fragrances constantly, ha ha.

[@kelseybisset88]

How'd you learn how to write romance novels? Do you have creators/sites/ tips?

[@______yawn6419]

i want to write a book or even a short story very soon so do me a favour and dont stop with the content 👍

[@HannahLeeKidder]

You should! Good luck 💜

[@saqib-gw5kk]

Great

[@HealthyDoubter]

Was this supposed to be a funnel bringing us closer to the observer?

[@dallassukerkin6878]

I wonder why KZbin has suddenly decided to drop your channel into my recommended list? Perhaps it is the tides of fate reminding me that when I was much younger I used to write all the time and now I do not? As retirement hoves into view over the horizon perhaps I should re-sharpen my creative pencil?

[@brandonb4742]

7:00

[@bensturley1172]

What software are you using for drafts there?

[@HannahLeeKidder]

That was Microsoft Word with my patron's story on it, but I personally draft with NovelPad

[@theuberman7170]

I used to really like the word "vibe".

[@HannahLeeKidder]

it just encompasses so many things it's too convenient

[@Burnrate]

"You just have to follow your butt." - Hannah Lee Kidder

[@griguthul]

We are creating a "Gestalts" when we write atmospheres.

[@Mimi-xz3vl]

I accidentally disliked the video and took it back, I'm sorry I like your videos

[@bensturley1172]

So, presumably you were a teacher or professor in a previous life...?

[@HannahLeeKidder]

I tutored disabled kids for years and it gave me permanent teacher voice lmao

[@bensturley1172]

Well thank you. Your videos are so helpful. I cruise along thinking I'm the best writer that's ever lived, until you point out a slew of infractions that I've given no thought to... It's very grounding and extraordinarily helpful in edits, and, er, quality control, i guess!

[@HannahLeeKidder]

I'm so glad it's helpful! No wrong way to write, just some fun stuff to think about 😊

[@aloenpc]

she really suggested i smoke crack...

[@Based808]

I think swamps smell good

[@HannahLeeKidder]

We must've grown up in different swamps

[@galacticshakti]

i’m so glad i found your channel!!! i’ve started writing new pieces lately and you have some of the best advice i’ve found on here 🙏🏻🤍✨

[@HannahLeeKidder]

That's wonderful! Thank you so much for watching 💜