There are plenty of difficult aspects of writing fiction, but one of the hardest things to do is set a scene that really comes to life for the reader. A lot of writers struggle with White Room Syndrome—a common issue in which the writing has become so involved with the characters and dialogue that the setting goes completely ignored (and thus creates the impression of standing in a blank, white room). Luckily for us, this issue comes with a fairly simple fix: remember the five senses.
Only under unusual or extreme circumstances are we not at least seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, or tasting something. And the same is true for your characters. When you are struggling to set a scene, just revert back to these five senses and ask yourself: what are your character seeing in the moment? What are they hearing, or feeling, or smelling? Is there a rumble of thunder on the horizon, or a cool mist settling over them? Is there a sharp taste of blood in their mouth?
Whatever way you utilize the five senses is a reflection of the trials your characters have been / are going through. Making use of them will help bring your reader in to the world you’ve created, and make them feel as much or as little at home as your characters do.