When I teach the writing class at USF, I talk about location or setting. It's a very important choice. Not every story works in any place. Gone With the Wind could not be set in New Jersey, for example. In many cases the setting is a character too.
In my class I use the example of Sex and the City. An awesome collection of interesting women and the love they feel for each other, if not their men. But the title is not Sex IN the City; it's Sex AND the City. The City, of course, being New York. And the City is as important as Carrie and Samantha, Charlotte or Miranda. The City is another woman, another friend, another love in their stories.
It's no secret to anyone who knows me, or any of you Faithful Readers, that I adore Stephen King. I've been reading him since around the time Sissy Spacek became acquainted with an unusual high school girl named CARRIE. A great deal of King's stories - though certainly not all of them - are set in Maine. That's where he grew up and lives now. No brainer. But there's something about New England that lends itself to the spookiness of his work. Or maybe I feel that way because of his work. I don't know.
The point is, I'm now reading DUMA KEY, his most recent novel. And guess what, Faithful Readers - this one is set in MY backyard. It's a little bit odd to read this novel and come across a character wearing a Tampa Devil Rays shirt. Of course, now it would just be Rays since they got the Devil out last year. But still.
I'm about 200 pages into an 800-page novel. So far, I'm delighted. I can't find fault with any detail. And I'm sure I won't. Mr. King is well known for spending at least Spring Training season in a home in roughly the location of his fictional island.
It still feels a little bit odd. His characters are usually more apt to mention a nor'easter than a hurricane. But even at this early stage of reading, I can feel the atmosphere oozing into the story. This location is every bit as important to this particular story as Castle Rock was to ... well, everything set in Castle Rock.
Choose wisely. The story must wear its surroundings as comfortably as an old favorite coat. And always, always do the research. Get it right. There will always be a reader who knows your town, your geograpy, your weather. Don't let them down.
Have a great day, wherever you are.
Susan
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7 comments:
Susan! You're so right. Good to hear Stephen is on the money with your location. I read a book set in Michigan once. I knew it was printed in England, came to realize it was written there, too, by someone whose knowledge of MI came from other books. If at all. He had his hero walk from Grand Rapids to Lake Michigan in a short and easy stroll. I lost confidence in the writer right then. --Mark
Mark! Stay tuned. I'm going to blog about stupid mistakes I've found in books. Surely copy editors check these things?
Susan
From what I hear of the publishing business, there are no copy editors anymore. Or editors in general. Publishers save all their money to pay ex-presidents and celebrities $millions for books that sell a handful of copies. No money left over for luxuries like employees. Or promising writers. And who would dare edit a weighty tome by an ex- president or a celebrity?
The "Twilight" phenomenon is interesting, isn't it? Are you following that? I hear Stephanie Meyer lives in AZ but set her books in Fork WA, although she had never been there, because it's like the rainiest town in the nation. The residents say she got it right.
(And I hope I got the link format right this time. Might work, might not.)
Mark! I haven't read any of those books, but I probably will, just to see what all the hype is about. I have heard they're not very well written, but the tweenage girls don't appear to care.
At least with J.K. you got really well-crafted stories.
Susan! So you're reading DUMA KEY, and see SK has yet ANOTHER book in the stores. Geez, I thought he retired about 23 books ago.
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