Definition
Mood is the emotional atmosphere a story creates for the reader. Setting, word choice, pacing, and tone all contribute to mood.
Example
Fog, silence, and slow pacing can create a mood of dread before anything dangerous happens on the page.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Confusing mood with tone. Mood is the feeling in the room; tone is the narrator's attitude.
- Relying only on weather or lighting to create mood without tying it to character experience.