I do like to be beside the seaside…

Why are we so in love with our seaside? I asked an author friend who recently published her latest story set in the fictitious resort of Borteen. Let me introduce you to Morton S. Gray.

Angela asked me to talk about the series of books I have written based in my fictional seaside town of Borteen.

Everyone asks me if Borteen is based on a real place and I can truthfully answer that it isn’t. Borteen and it’s surrounding area are just a figment of my imagination, albeit after writing so many books set there, it seems very real to me. I can walk down the streets and go into the shops, pubs and cafes in my imagination vividly. I have now published five stories set in Borteen, the sixth is with my publisher and there are at least another three books in various stages of completion.

I have a map of Borteen in my study, with pictures of the buildings stuck on to it and I also have a document called The Borteen Bible, which details all of the inhabitants and buildings I have used in the various books.

I love to see how other authors work.

The reason for choosing a seaside town is that I live in Worcestershire which is about as far from the sea as you can get in England, but my happy place is definitely by the sea. I love nothing better than walking along a beach and collecting stones and sea glass as I go. So if I can’t be at the seaside in reality, I can be there in my writing life all of the time.

Angela asked if I prefer the British seaside or somewhere abroad. I don’t get on particularly well in hot climates, so I am perfectly happy holidaying in the UK. My favourite seaside destinations are Bamburgh in Northumberland, Woolacombe in Devon, Llandanawg and Llanbedrog in Wales. Having said that, I have enjoyed some wonderful beaches abroad in the past, notably in the Bahamas and Australia.

Morton tells us that The latest story about Borteen to be published is Christmas at the Little Beach Café and she can think of nothing better than being at the seaside at Christmas. She’s never managed it yet, but maybe one day.

I have read and enjoyed Morton’s latest book. I won’t give too much away, but the hero (gorgeous, I will add) does not like Christmas very much – for reasons you can find out if you read this seasonal book. I’ve met a lot of people who hate the festive season, but I am not in that clan.

Even when it’s cold and grey outside, the sea always fascinates me. My indie book, Mavis and Dot http://mybook.to/MDot is set in the fictitious