Many readers prefer the fast pace of dialogue and action (the exciting parts of a novel) as opposed to information about the setting.
(In truth, this is why I was unable to finish Lord of the Rings. Sacrilege, I know.)
On the other hand, there are readers who love those milieus--pages and pages of vivid, detailed descriptions. I think sci-fi, fantasy, and historical writers are the most adept at creating worlds and drawing the reader into the characters' space.
If you're not creating a new world but writing about the world we're currently in, it can be tempting to gloss over the details and ask the reader to fill in the blanks (which, as readers, we're pretty good at doing, actually).
Still, our environments directly affect who we (and our characters) are, and if we're going to fully explore those characters, a strong sense of place is mandatory.
Don't think, however, that you have to present every aspect of the "where" and the "when" upfront.
Drop little hints along the way. Intersperse the details between the dialogue and action. Use the surroundings to tell us more about the character.
Give us that "establishing shot." Let us know where we are, what time of day (or night!) it is, give us a clear view of where your current action is set, and remember to always point out the surprising.
Do this between the action and dialogue, and you won't be at risk of losing the reader to those long, flowery passages of description that tend to remove us from the story.
And, as always . . .
Be Brilliant!
~Katie~
