by Bethany Jett, @BetJett

Welcome to the third and final post in our series 11 Ways to Create a Sense of Place. Be sure to catch Part One and Part Two if you’ve missed them. Without further ado, it’s quite fitting at this time of year that we start with…

8. Celebrations, Festivities, Traditions, and Heritage

My counter is filled with cans of whole and creamed corn, Jiffy cornbread mix (cornbread casserole is fave in the Jett household), green bean casserole fixings, along with stuffing mix, cranberry sauce (mmmm), and two stacks of paper plates. We’re going for easy cleanup this year.

In a few days, we’ll be searching for online deals, crossing gifts off our lists (thanks Amazon), and inspecting gorgeous firs and spruces.

These preparations are easy to attach to a Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season, but what about the thrill of jelly-filled doughnuts? While the menorah is a classic symbol of Hannukah, delicious sufganiyot are also a staple.

It’s important to understand the different celebrations, traditions, and festivities that are crucial to the setting of your story. American culture and customs differ drastically from so many other societies worldwide, so educate your readers and share not only the holiday celebrations, but why it’s important your character’s heritage.Be sure to research your story’s small towns’ holiday celebrations or community traditions.

9. Slogans and Logos

Just do it.

I’m lovin’ it.

Melts in your mouth, not in your hand.

So good, cats ask for it by name.

He keeps going…and going…and going…

A diamond is forever.

Recognize those brand? In order: Nike, McDonald’s, M&M’s, Meow Mix, Energizer, and DeBeers. Great slogans are memorable…and can be extremely difficult to write. What would Sin City be without “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?” The distinct Nike swoosh always makes “Just Do It” pops in my mind. No words needed.

As iconic as some of these brands’ slogans are, different parts of the world have different slang and phrases distinct to their culture.

According to my college French teacher, born and raised in France, it’s unpopular to ask someone the common American greeting “How are you?” unless you are actually curious as to how they are…and if you’re not an intimate friend or relative, why would you be asking? Instead, you would have your French character greet a chum with “Ça va?” This basically means the same thing to my American mind but it’s their way.

Additionally, “Slogans are universal signposts that are culturally recognized. For example, the White Castle logo is instantly recognizable to Ohioans. They’re even generationally specific,” says author Johnnie Alexander. Our fellow Writer Chat co-host adds, “Even political slogans can add a sense of place to your writing,” adds author Jean Wise. As far as restaurants go, “When you travel and see say Pizza Hut, you feel right at home. Seeing McDonald’s in Italy and Germany was fun.”

10. Smells and Texture

Utilizing the senses is always a win when creating a sense of place. The reason the sense of smell is so closely linked to memory is because of the location of the receptors in the brain. I still remember the Bath & Body Works signature scents of my friends in high school: Country Apple: Lori, Pearberry: Mandy, Sweet Pea: my sister. Anytime I smell CK One, memories of my first real crush flood back to me. If I go to Victoria’s Secret, I inhale my own once upon a time signature scent: Strawberries and Champagne.

In your story, smell is a fantastic and smart way to jog your readers’ memories. What would a grandparent’s house smell like? Describe the scent of a freshly mowed lawn, the salty tang of the beach, or the smell of a neighbor’s bbq wafting as your characters take a walk.

Texture is just as important. If you can accurately pinpoint the stench of rotting flesh in your thriller, or the sterile antiseptic frigid setting of the morgue, you can pull your reader into your story by playing on their memories and tug on their heartstrings.

11. Sports

This weekend is the biggest game of my beloved Seminole’s college football season…the FSU vs UF game. To all Gator fans with love: I hope we crush you.

Different regions of the United States put different emphasis on different sports and root for specific teams. In the same way, across the world, sports make up a huge franchise and can add depth to your setting. Football is an American sport, but in almost every other country, our football is American Football, while football is how they refer to our soccer.

I can’t speak for all sports, but football team loyalty runs deep. College football is our sport of choice, equal only to the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team #BeTheThunder. In Florida alone, there are three major college football teams, with two others that try to turn the Big Three into the Big Five.

If your characters are sports fans, knowing the popular teams for their region (or the area they grew up), the reason they love their team, and some team stats can go a long way to add depth to the character and create a sense of community…or deep-rooted loathing…in your story. Ask any Michigan or Ohio State fan to describe the anticipation of their big rivalry game.

And if you aren’t sold on sports being a valid way to add a sense of place to your story, ask any Cowboy fan what’s on their television every Thanksgiving Day.

And no matter what’s on your TV tomorrow, I’ll be tuning into the Macy’s Day Parade to catch a sighting of the “real” Santa, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving full of laughter, memories, family, and most of all, good food.

[reminder]

Bethany Jett is an award-winning author of The Cinderella Rule, speaker, ghostwriter, and founder of JETTsetter Ink, a consulting and editing company. She has written for numerous publications, created the My Moments Planner, Serious Writer Companion, and is the founder of Serious Writer Academy and the Build Your Brand Program. Her newest work, Through the Eyes of Hope releases January 2017.

Bethany is a military wife and all-boys-mama who is addicted to suspense novels and all things girly. She writes on living a brilliant life at BethanyJett.com. Connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest,  Instagram (new profile), and Twitter.