Location, Location, Location

[Joe]

One thing most authors agree about is the need for accuracy when describing their locations – but just how far can they go in pinpointing exact street names and addresses? A bit of caution, and commonsense, is often needed.
For example, it’s all very well describing a car chase through Lower Manhattan or London’s East End but beware having your drug baron or child kidnapper pull up outside a precisely numbered house in a precisely identifiable street! Think of the poor sod who just happens to live there!
It won’t do either to try to get around the issue by saying something like “midway along the terrace” or “at the far end of the street” because, you’ve guessed it, there’s another poor sod living there too!
SEE: http://joemccoubrey.com/?p=742

[Sharon]

I've been thinking about this a lot actually. I've described areas of leafy Surrey and not so nice areas of South West London, but have refrained from identifying specific places. Two reasons really - a)the kidnapper/drug baron issue, but also b) if my description of a place needs a little artistic licence, I don't want readers distracted by issues like "that isn't true, its a lovely place" and "Broad Street is nowhere near Lakeside etc."

[Graham]

Thanks for posting this, very good timing. I asked this question (probably in the wrong forum) about ten days ago...

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9...

Graham

[Joe]

Sharon wrote: "I've been thinking about this a lot actually. I've described areas of leafy Surrey and not so nice areas of South West London, but have refrained from identifying specific places. Two reasons rea..."

I agree Sharon - it's a balancing act but one that requires a bit more courage by the authro.

[Joe]

Graham wrote: "Thanks for posting this, very good timing. I asked this question (probably in the wrong forum) about ten days ago...

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9...

Graham" Graham, thanks for the message. Hope the article added a bit to the debate.

[Graham]

Yes, it helped a lot! I think I'm going to have to set it somewhere real, probably Clevedon and then add a disclaimer that I've made up some places. For example, there's a pizza place that features heavily in the book, and I know there's a pizza place in Clevedon. While I haven't been derogatory about it, it's probably best to make things clear!

Thanks

Graham

[L]

With locations (and even character names & character personalities), is that i am always a little concerned about making them be mistaken for something real or based on someone/ something.

[Sherri]

I just make up towns that are located close to places I know of. My only reference to "real locations" are to give readers a geographical reference to where I plopped the place. For example, I created the town of Tanger Falls, Tennessee for my current novel in progress and said it's located outside of Gatlinburg, TN.

[Joe]

Lucinda wrote: "With locations (and even character names & character personalities), is that i am always a little concerned about making them be mistaken for something real or based on someone/ something."

Lucinda - the fear of naming people and places is common with most authors. I always draw the line at making up fictional towns or cities - in my opinion it just doesn't work.

[Joe]

Sherri wrote: "I just make up towns that are located close to places I know of. My only reference to "real locations" are to give readers a geographical reference to where I plopped the place. For example, I crea..."

Sherri - as I mentioned in an earlier response I don't usually like fictional towns or cities, but I can see how it would work in the contect you've mentioned. Thanks for this.

[Elizabeth]

Except in fantasy worlds, I use real locations whenever possible. It gives it a depth of realism which I enjoy in my writing as well as in my reading.

However, I make up character names.

Don't worry if they are mistaken for someone/something real. Readers see what they want to see.

For example, a lot of people ask me if my character Orin (of my first graphic novel) was based on my real brother. No my brother's name isn't Orin, it doesn't even start with an O. My brother isn't an elf nor does he use a sword or...let's just say the list could continue for sometime.

In fact, the only thing Orin has in common with my brother is that they both have sisters.