Paths intrigue me. Who, or what, made them and why? In particular, paths in forest settings hide as much as they reveal. What destinations await the courageous traveler? What dangers lurk along the way?

A mysterious setting reflects the emotion and heart of a Gothic story. Little is revealed when wandering down a forested path. Trees loom. Rocks and stumps hover grotesquely at the edges of our vision. We startle and stare, but all appears normal. The serenity and vastness of nature, both soothes and pricks.

Forest paths are never straight. They meander and tease. Time flows and ebbs, like a tide. Then, suddenly, tendrils of sunlight sink and fade.

Dark paths shift the writer’s mind to horror.

Oh, pity the poor character caught on a forest path as the sun goes down.

UBC Forest TrailThanks to my friend and fellow writer, Annette Fulford, for permission to use her photo.  Visit Annette’s blog Maple Ridge Cenotaph to read about her work researching the individual histories of local fallen soldiers.

What is your favourite setting to read? Write?  I look forward to reading your comments.

 

Today’s post is part of a rolling blog tour.  Kathleen Kaska is the next stop on the tour, Favorite Place to Set a Scene: Do You Have Reservations?.

Other participants:

Maggie Toussaint Favorite setting for my mysteries

Ryder Islington Favorite Settings in My Writing

Nancy Lauzon Favorite Place to Set a Scene