Topic of the Week
Location, location, location...
I set my Anna Strong stories in San Diego for a number of reasons, chief of which is that San Diego will always be home to me. I live in Denver now, but still have family and lots of good friends there. “Business” trips to SD are always a kick.
I wanted my story set in a real city. I use real geography (you can find Anna’s cottage on Isthmus Court in Mission Beach,) have breakfast at the Mission Café, coffee at Lestat’s, dinner at Luigi’s. You can walk the boardwalk, shop at Horton Plaza, visit Seaport Village. Unfortunately, Anna’s office isn’t where it should be-the old tuna fishing business offices were torn down long ago. But headquarters for SDPD is right where I say it is. I don’t think the Chief is really a vampire, but then again, you never know….
The most fun has been placing the headquarters for San Diego’s supernatural community in Balboa Park. It’s located across from the Natural History Museum and protected by magic so “civilians” can’t stumble onto it. It’s the perfect place because the park is one of San Diego’s most famous tourist attractions. Next to the Zoo, also located in the park, it’s known to just about anyone who has ever visited San Diego.
I always say I subscribe to the Ira Levin school of fantasy writing. Ground the story in the real world, make it as recognizable and familiar as you can, and a reader is likely to accept the fantastical elements right along with the everyday bits. Readers out there, do you agree or disagree?
For me, making San Diego a real part of my books is terrific fun.
I set my Anna Strong stories in San Diego for a number of reasons, chief of which is that San Diego will always be home to me. I live in Denver now, but still have family and lots of good friends there. “Business” trips to SD are always a kick.
I wanted my story set in a real city. I use real geography (you can find Anna’s cottage on Isthmus Court in Mission Beach,) have breakfast at the Mission Café, coffee at Lestat’s, dinner at Luigi’s. You can walk the boardwalk, shop at Horton Plaza, visit Seaport Village. Unfortunately, Anna’s office isn’t where it should be-the old tuna fishing business offices were torn down long ago. But headquarters for SDPD is right where I say it is. I don’t think the Chief is really a vampire, but then again, you never know….
The most fun has been placing the headquarters for San Diego’s supernatural community in Balboa Park. It’s located across from the Natural History Museum and protected by magic so “civilians” can’t stumble onto it. It’s the perfect place because the park is one of San Diego’s most famous tourist attractions. Next to the Zoo, also located in the park, it’s known to just about anyone who has ever visited San Diego.
I always say I subscribe to the Ira Levin school of fantasy writing. Ground the story in the real world, make it as recognizable and familiar as you can, and a reader is likely to accept the fantastical elements right along with the everyday bits. Readers out there, do you agree or disagree?
For me, making San Diego a real part of my books is terrific fun.