Yesterday, we talked about “what if” places my family could possibly move to should the opportunity arise. But what about our characters? How much thought do you put into a home for your hero and/or heroine? How important is the setting to your story?
If you write historical novels, setting is very important. However, other stories might not have as much of an emphasis on place. That doesn’t mean the author shouldn’t do his/her homework if he/she chooses to use an existing city or town. Be careful folks. Some of your readers will be very well acquainted with your novel’s location and will watch to ensure you get it right.
Personally, I prefer to make up my own cities based on places I know. I don’t create these imaginary locations because it’s easier, although it is. I simply prefer to be in charge of where my character’s favorite restaurant, movie theater, shopping mall, and house are situated. Does that make me a control freak?
Do you use real or imaginary settings? Why? How much thought do you put into the selection of the city/town you use? What are some of your favorite cities to write or read about?
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First, I'll answer the question. I have thus far used real places as settings. My historical novel is my "hometown." I'm actually a farm girl, so do I really have a "home town?"
ReplyDeleteAnd, fun to link to you, another mother of multiples!!
Happy writing, and double mothering.
I use mostly real settings, but I've created a few places! :)
ReplyDeleteI use real settings. Description is difficult for me--I want to jump right into the action. To overcome that, I visualize a real place and make it into what I want it to be. Thanks for following my blog. I'm a twin. Mom says being a twin is easier than having them. ;)
ReplyDeleteI mostly use real settings that I know because I'm paranoid I'll get something completely wrong!
ReplyDeleteI use real settings for the most part. For my YA I used North Carolina because I needed mountains, but then I made up the actual town. For my romance, I used New Orleans because that's where I grew up and I know it well. However, my new WIP is going to have to happen in California and I don't have a lot of experience with it, so I probably will end up making up a town. Otherwise, I'm going to be in for a lot of research.
ReplyDeleteIn my novel A Bitch Named Karma, it takes place in NYC....though I don't know it real well (only been once and that was only for a few hours) I have watched every episode of Sex and the City about 5 times. There aren't really any scenes that specifically describe the area though...it's more generic big city stuff.
ReplyDeleteIn Spellbound, it takes place in a fictional town similar to where I live...so that was real easy. One of my novelettes takes place in Cancun and all though I've never been to that part of Mexico...I've been to several islands in the Caribbean so hopefully I described the area well enough.
Great question! I tend to prefer my stories take place in actual towns, but my wip is more like what you describe... based on places I've been but not actually anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you that I see you've already gotten. Consider yourself awarded!
The pictures in my head are real as I write, because locations are based off my home area. They're just fictionalized for the story, though. My next novel is going to be my first foray into a different state. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteFor me real settings are an easy decision. I pick places that I would love to visit, or have visited. Throwing in the right amount of research seems like parr for the course with any novel.
ReplyDeleteI tend to put my characters in settings where I have visited. Thanks for following!
ReplyDeleteMy book is set in a state I've never visited, but I did a lot of research. And since it is YA dystopian, the city is made-up. I had a lot of fun doing that:)
ReplyDeleteI usually create fictional towns, but pull in aspects of real places I've been.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you guys do a little bit of both. Some use real settings, others use fictional places, and the rest mix it up.
ReplyDeleteLynnette Labelle
I have gone to towns and gotten a feel for them, taken a lot of pictures, and brought home research material to reference later...but nothing compares to having lived in a place to pick up on the flavor of the town and little details that make it feel real to readers.
ReplyDeleteLynnette, I write inspirational historicals and use real towns that existed at the time my stories are set, which is the 1870s. I work in real shops that were in business at the time and even incorporate actual events that took place, working them in so they occur in my story on the very day and time they originally took place. I love bringing history to life in this way.
ReplyDeleteI make up my settings, *hangs head*, because it is easier. The story and characters are always my focus and usually my stories need a fictional place so everything can happen like I want it too. I guess, I'm a control freak too.
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