Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Location, Location, Location

You've heard it time and again; it's all about location. But have you ever thought about how that plays into your writing? No, well perhaps it's time you did. It's no mistake that my first novel, The Secret Of Spruce Knoll, takes place in a tiny town in Colorado. I chose carefully based on the history of the area being colonized, and on the needs of my story and characters.

A truly good story uses setting as a sort of character. It becomes so much a part of the story that you feel as though you know the place, have been there, can feel it's weather, breath in its scents, and taste its native foods. If the location is well done in a novel, chances are you want to go back to it. This is the kind of experience we want to give our readers.

In To Ride A Puca, I worked hard to make the location of ancient Ireland take on a life of its own. From the damp mists that seem ever-present, to the towering trees (ancient Ireland remember) and rolling green fields, it is a place with a life of its own. A place I hope my readers will fall in love with as much as I did.

I can't help but think of location as I lounge upon the beach this week while on vacation in one of my favorite places on Earth. Oh yes, finally, I'm on vacation! I hope each of you get to take a vacation this year and use the experience to enrich your writing.

~Heather



9 comments:

  1. LOL My vacation involves me going to the RWA nationals this year to grow as a writer. :)

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    1. That sounds like an excellent way to spend your vacation!

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  2. Location can be such a wonderful element in a novel, I agree. I sometimes read authors whose novels' story lines aren't really to my taste, simply because they do such a fantastic job describing everyday details of a distant locale, or even a nearby one that I might get to go visit with new eyes after reading. So glad you're on vacation, and on the beach! Enjoy.

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  3. Hi, Heather,

    Gee, it's been ages. I am SOOOO glad you are on the beach, sunning. I am still here in Florida. The design project I took on is way too time consuming, but I did manage to create a few wonderful illustrations. I hope to send them to you by the end of this week. Look for them and let me know what you think.

    I hope to be finished here within the three weeks. Then home and back to our project. YAY!

    Enjoy your rest. It is well deserved!

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    1. It has! Life does that to us sometimes. ;) I'm looking forward to them!

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  4. hmph. Blogger ate my comment. Location, yes! It can be a powerful draw for readers. And you are enjoying a great one right now. Have a wonderful time. You deserve it! :)

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    1. Oh no! LOL! It does that. I am indeed, thank you.

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  5. Oh... such a wonderful place to lounge. Have a great time Heather. You deserve it!

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    1. Thanks Karlene. I wish you could be here with us! :)

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