Monday, November 19, 2007
Choosing a Port...
Here's the question I pose this week. When deciding where to set your story, do you fall back on real life places, imaginary places or a little of both? And if you go for a real place, do you attempt to write about a place you've never been?If you write historical, I'm going to step out on a plank and say you probably write about many places you've never been. Many Historicals are set in London; however, I've read about authors who've written dozens of books set there but never stepped foot on English soil. And if your story is set in 1896 Kansas City or 1968 New Orleans – there's really no way to get there and have it be the same. This is where research can be a wonderful thing.
Now, if you write contemporary as I do, is it a good idea to write about a place you've never been? Even if you make up the town, you have to put it in some specific region of the country (or another country) and even that can be tricky. For instance, for my first WIP I attempted to set my story on the Eastern Shore in a real town. I'd never been there but it's only about a 90 minute car ride from my house so I figured I could go eventually. I did a little homework about the town on the internet and went from there.
But then I drove through the area and it didn't fit my story at all. It’s a beautiful place but my story needed more city-qualities (does that make sense?) and this place is very rural. Very "Agri Business Report" and "Shopping at the Feed Store". Not a bad thing, just not what I was looking for. So, I backed up and punted and took the easy way out – I made up a new town that doesn't exist. So I cheated – Pirate!
I have two more stories in the works and one is set in the Midwest somewhere (so far anyway) and the other on Ocracoke Island. I'm not sure what qualifies as Midwest these days but I'm thinking I've been close enough to wing it. The story is short and erotica which means little plot or scenery other than beds, counter tops, showers and walls anyway. I have been to Ocracoke Island and I'm looking forward to writing a story set there. When the story formed and the characters started telling me about themselves, the setting came as an integral part so that one was a no brainer. Basically, the characters didn't give me a choice. (BTW - the picture above is one I took on Ocracoke Island. Can't wait to write that beach scene. LOL!)
When I read Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, I was amazed how accurately she portrayed a small southern town. Then I found out she'd never lived in a small southern town. How she managed to get it so perfect, I don't know. Hopefully, I'll get to ask her someday. *g*
So, what do you do? Do you think you can do justice to a place you've never been? Do you set stories in places you've always wanted to visit just to give yourself the excuse (and the tax write off) to go? Do you spend hours in the library trying to recreate New York City in 1885? Or do you cop out and set all of your stories right there in your hometown?
IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog is not intended to out anyone in this writer's group nor to offend anyone about where they set their story. The words "cop out" are meant completely in jest. *g*
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26 comments:
I've set stories in Maine where I live, both contemp and historical since I used to work in a historical society museum and inhaled all I could, including dust. I'd like to use the state more, too, as I stumble through the writer's journey---and not in a Stephen Kingish way.
But most of my stuff is set in 19th century Britain. I've been to England too many times to remember, but I rely more on "feeling" than actual places. I buy English magazines when I can and use pictures for inspiration. I'm much more interested in the characters than the secenery anyway.
That would be scenery. :)
Maggie - I envy you all your travels. I've always wanted to see more of the world and I'm slowly starting to make that happen. Lucky for me, my little brother just started college and is becoming a travel agent. Whoohoo! That boy will be toting my butt all over this planet. LOL!
Terrio we must be channeling one another....I was going to blog about this subject this week because I am facing this question in my WIP.
My gut instinct is telling me to go with what I know but every time I focus on a small rural town I don't see it fitting my storyline. So I think I'm going with a location I've visited, and research what I don't know.
Lissa - we have a theme! LOL! I'll start the week and you finish it off. The other ladies can jump ship if they don't like it. hehehe
I make up places. It's easier that way. And I try to keep my stories in the bedroom, I mean... you know what I mean.
I have a contemp that hasn't actually named the city they live in, but it's loosely based out of Toronto, I just changed the names of the places and streets. I'll figure out what I want to do about that later on...lol
For my historicals I do research places, but make up a setting in the end. I know a few london streets, but my characters get whisked back off to Lupiscoeur Estate. I make sure plant stuff is right, and weather somewhat accurate.
I hadn't even thought about climate and vegetation. THAT is another reason I don't write historical. LOL! Gah! I'd hate to have to worry about those sorts of details. Not that there aren't details in contemp, those just don't bother me so much. Weird.
I admire anyone who writes historical. I read one of Lisa Kleypas' historicals this weekend paying special attention to location, dialog,atire, and vegetation. To make it accurate would be quite a feat, at least for me being the perfectionist that I am:)
Ter! Great topic wench!
All of my fiction is contemporary. I don't have the right voice for historical. God bless those who write it and write it well. My hats off to you.
My WIP's setting begins in Virginia (which I didn't make it this summer, as you know quite well!) and ends up in the town I now live in. Just suits the story and how we're set on the river (easy access to trafficking) and it's a small enough town that with enough wide open spaces around that it would be easy to float unsuspected.
My erotica takes place in the mountains. Not something I've overly familiar with, but like everything else, I'm sure I can fake it *grin*
*ROTFLMAO* I love the disclaimer you threw in at the end for me, in case I'm in the throws of massive PMS and take it the wrong way.
I'm a Cop Out. My story is set in my home town. She even had my job, but I finally moved her over to State Farm to have a job. Whatever sort of job. I could always ask Tammy what the hell she did when she worked there.
I do have stories set in Scotland/England; one in New England (that Sin couldn't stop laughing at when I told her the premise); one in Texas (cowboy era); a Regency...
And then I have my paranormal contemporaries...one of those is in San Fran, which I haven't been--so I'll need to do some research. So far, I'm faking an area that has brightly colored bungalows. I'm sincerely hoping San Fran has bungalows SOMEWHERE....
I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. I would be a great story ( I mean come on, you're writing it and we both know that you can write anything!) I think the stress melted my brain and made me laugh. But at least I didn't snort.
Sin, you know you have a place to stay in Virginia whenever you need to do research. *g* Especially if you're looking for a really good bar. Just ask the Cap'n. LOL!
Well, I did think Sin's was set in your town as well and I didn't know about Lisa. I realized cop out could sound insulting and being no one is happy on a Monday morning, I thought better safe than sorry.
I could see setting a story in my hometown though. Steel Mill town would make a good setting for some hard working hero. LOL! I could combine here and there and get Flashdance meets Officer & a Gentleman. LOL!
I was just talking to someone else about "Flashdance" this morning. LOL
And call it a cop out if you wish. I really didn't want to write it in my hometown, but it just fit the situation. And I've always (in a way) wanted to write about something really bad going down here. We're not exactly a safe community. Especially with our cops bailing out by the dozens and the turf wars from the KC and STL gangs. I get to hear all about it from my girlfriend who's husband is a detective. Very scary.
Sin, no, no, I appreciated the honesty...at the time...it is quite laughable. I was quite embarrassed to even share it, knowing it's laughable quotient. *LOL*
Terri: That was the BEST. BAR. EVER. We need to make another field trip.
Sin, if it works it works. Don't mess with a good thing. And great that you have an in with someone in that field. Great for research.
I think I need to write about fire fighters. Then do LOTS of research.
Cap'n - the bar is always here. LOL! And there's a new one in that same building. A country bar! We'll need to check that one out as well...
I am writing a Regency, but you're right, I've never been to England. I was supposed to go in college, but the summer I was scheduled coincided with the break up of my high school BF (who I dated for 7 years) and I was emotionally devastated and needed my mama. :(
However, I do want to get there soon.
I admire writers who include a whole lot of true to life detail, but I don't think I write like that. I tend to focus more on characters and their actions than what's around.
I have a contemp somewhere in me, but I am not sure where it's set yet.
I think I'd have to go with what I know or else be very, very vague! I don't know whether that's a copout or just lazy but I'll admit to both! LOL
I absolutely LOVE historicals, but I could never write one accurately just because of all the details I would mess up. Too much research involved.
I'd really love to be able to give a sense of time and place like SEP or Nora Roberts. I, too, am pretty perfectionistic and I'd have to know my location/subject matter inside and out.
Maybe I should switch gears and do like Tiff and keep my story to one room like the bedroom. Although, I'm not real familiar with that location either. Maybe I'd have a better handle on the bathroom or kitchen.
Marnee - you need a travelling buddy just let me know. You know, if the hubby ain't interested. LOL! Do you find getting an image in your head of the historical sites easier after reading so many historical romances? Do you ever get stuck and go on a mad hunt for research?
I guess writing contemp in an American city can be tricky because people from that place might read my work and realize I've never been there. Seems like I'd hate to have them chuck it against the wall because I got the dialect off.
Irish - We so need to write a book set in Catholic schools or an abbey or at least a church somewhere. Imagine what we could do with that? LOL! And the things we could work out...
Ter - I would LOVE a travelling buddy. DH is many good things, but he's a bit of a homebody. Likes his comfy cozy atmosphere. We'll see. I'm in breeding mood these next couple years but after I'm done with all that, I will be ready to go. So prepare the passport for 2-3 years hence.
:)
I do think reading historicals has helped (does everyone else who write them feel that way?) though I do worry that I'm relying too much on other people and not enough on my own experiences. I did take some courses in college/grad school about 19th century Brit lit and I think the background research has helped a lot with my writing.
Irish - you crack me up!
Marnee - I greatly appreciate that we not commence this trip until you are out of breeding mood. I like ya but I don't like ya like ya. LOL!
I'll be ready with passport in hand. *g*
Ter - I'll definitely spare ya. :)
I'm with you all the way on the Catholic schools and church stuff, Terri. It's all that part of writing what I know. I was also thinking of giving my hero a child, cause I know kids. The same with setting the location in a city or suburb cause I know that. I think it's all a matter of giving myself confidence and not tackling too much at once. I figure if I write what I know I'll be more apt to write and not procrastinate with excuses about having to research this and that. Cause I'm a master procrastinator! And I KNOW I'd use that excuse daily. LOL
I love the "I'm in breeding mode", Marnee! That's hilarious.
You know, Irish, that makes me wonder. I am a top procrastinator so I wonder if I didn't have so much other crap getting in the way, if I'd still be procrastinating anyway. Maybe being so busy will cure me. Then when things settle down (next decade) I'll be more committed than ever and less likely to put the writing off.
Hi, guys! I've been lurking, but this is my first post here.
My WIP is set in a couple of imaginary towns(the name of one keeps changing), but they are composites of places I know in GA and NC. The only real place I am using is Nashville, and Terri is my expert source there. I am Southern enough to think a sense of place is essential to my writing. I think I need to have sensory details in my head in order to write about a place.
But I know Nora Roberts has said that she depends on research and has written about many places she has never visited. She seems to be doing OK. :)
Whoohoo! Janga is in the house...errr....on the ship! You know what I mean.
So glad you came out of lurkdom, Janga. We're alway happy to have new crew members. I think you make a good point about setting being a little more important in the southern region. Southern towns seem to have an identity all their own. I think in the north we have so much history but the south is built on the people, the personalities that get infused into every leaf and Magnolia.
And I'd imagine if Nora visited all the places she writes about, she'd never be able to get all those books written! It helps that's she extremely disciplined and writes 8 to 5 just like punching a time clock. LOL!
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