Now that I have told you the idea behind my book I can share my setting and of course there is a story behind it.
Originally I set my story in Boston Mass. because I have some gay characters that are very important to my story and I wanted it to be set in a state where tolerance and equality existed. So I set my story in Boston where gay marriae has been welcome for awhile but I have never even been to Boston and I ran into problems picturing things, and setting things up. Then the issue of gay marriage came up for a vote in Maryland and the more it looked like it was going to pass the more I liked the idea of changing the setting of my book to Baltimore so I did.
My grandmother always told me "Write what you know, write what you see, write what you love."
I was born in Balimore and lived there until I was about 5 but I've lived in Maryland my whole life and I decided to set my book in Baltimore and other parts of Maryland. So my characters are going to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and I have been using some of my other favories places around it as well. I'm very glad I switched it feels more real, and more honest.
After all Good Morning Boston....just doesn't have the same ring to it.
Good morning Baltimore does have a good ring to it. ;]
ReplyDeleteChanging the setting was a smart move. Your passion for your home state will show through in your writing. Good luck with the novel!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much
DeleteAbsolutely the correct decision - writing "in this air" will always show, and distract your readers from the story. Stephen King might get away with re-arranging geography and history, but most of us ain't him!
ReplyDeleteI hope one day to be as successful as Mr. King but....that probably will not happen.
DeleteSo true! Setting is the part I have the most struggle with, so I think that keeping it authentic and easy to remember is probably a good thing!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot easier when I can picture exactly where I want and what I want and can go there if I want
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