Location as a Main Character
I may have talked on this topic before but once again it struck me as I read several stories this past couple of weeks how impactful a location can be in a novel. When done in a certain manner, well researched and folded into the story in a way that feels natural and powerful, the setting of a novel can become almost another main character. It asserts a strong personality over the characters, their burgeoning relationship, and sometimes even their ending.
The setting can contain not only geographical limitations or expanse, barriers or doors to freedom for the couple. In some locations is can be full of cultural or religious overlays along with family implications that will play out throughout the storyline. All that can come from setting your novel at a certain destination. Like say South Korea, or Japan, or any place in the Middle East Or how about Alaska or parts of the outback in Australia? Or planting trees in parts of the wilderness in Canada? Or maybe a vineyard in Brazil? All those All of those are settings in novels that I have read.
In a recent case, the location and use of culture in the storyline saved the novel for me as I was less invested in the main couple and more committed to the secondary characters and the people around them. Creating a setting that feels real, authentic is key to pulling in your readers and giving your characters a firm foundation for their lives and new romance.
Off the top of my head I can think of authors who gift of the vernacular and ties to certain locations have made an indelible impression on me with their characters, and stories, in some cases series. There’s Neil S. Plakcy with his incredible Mahu series (Hawaii), BA Tortuga (any of her Texas series), NR Walker’s Red Dirt Heart series (Australia), Amy Tasukada’s brilliant The Yakusa’s Path (Japan), Marshall Thornton’s Boystown (Chicago), and that’s just for starters. As soon as I hit post, I’m sure my brain will be flooded with a ton more along with a bunch of personal smh’s.
That’s not including the amazing historical novels of Elin Gregory or Charlie Cochrane, among others who bring eras along with towns vibrantly alive.
Through these stories I have walked through places and towns in Iceland I can’t pronounce and always hoped to see. The authors have made me see them. I’ve visited temples of the Sun in Mexico and walked in the burning heat to amazing places in the outback in Australia. I’ve witnessed the Southern Star and the Aurora Borealis up in the Arctic Circle. All thanks to authors who made me feel as though I’ve been there, through great details, gorgeous descriptions, and fantastic writing.
What stories or authors have done that for you? Taken you places, made you see them, feel them, along with the characters and their relationship?
Tell us, and let us go along for the journey as well.
The most recent books were:
The Yuchae Blossom (World of Love) by Asher Quinn – South Korea
Arctic Sun (Frozen Hearts #1) by Annabeth Albert – Alaska
So, again what are yours? I can’t wait to find out…..
Now for this week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words….it’s Cherry Blossom Festival time here so that’s what I’m leaving you all with…
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Sunday, April 7:
- Location as a Main Character.
- This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Monday, April 8:
- PROMO Hunter by Dez Schwartz
- PROMO Sean Michael
- An Alisa Audio Review Model Investigator (Haven Investigations #3) by Lissa Kasey and Brian Hutchison (Narrator)
- A MelanieM Review: Royal Rescue by A. Alex Logan
- A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Wicked Games (Queen City Rogues #2) by Aimee Nicole Walker
- A Lila Audio Review: Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch and Joel Leslie (Narrator)
Tuesday, April 9:
- PROMO BA Tortuga
- BLOG TOUR Laws of Attraction by JP Sayle
- PROMO Royal Rescue by A. Alex
- A Stella Review : Cowboy Seeks Husband by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn
- An Alisa Review: Perilous Hearts (Deviant Hearts #3) by A.E. Ryecart
- A Chaos Moondrawn Release Day Review: Inked Music by Sean Michael
Wednesday, April 10:
- Review Tour – Marina Vivancos – Honeythorn
- PROMO Andrew Grey
- Book Blast Chasing Chance (Gilcrest University Guys #1) by M.E. Parker
- An Ashlez Review: Chasing Chance (Gilcrest University Guys #1) y M.E. Parker
- A Stella Review : Honeythorn by Marina Vivancos
- A Stella Release Day Review: Soft Place to Fall by BA Tortuga
- A Free Dreamer Review: Soulstealers by Jacqueline Rohrbach
Thursday, April 11:
- TOUR THE DOCTOR TAKES A DETOUR by Bren Christopher
- PROMO Mickie B. Ashling
- Release Blitz – Trusting Him by L M Somerton
- An Ali Review: Trusting Him by L M Somerton
- A MelanieM Review: The Doctor Takes a Detour by Bren Christopher
- A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Fracture (Unbreakable Bonds #6) by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott
- A Lila Audio Review:Trick Roller (Seven of Spades #2) by Cordelia Kingsbridge, Wyatt Baker (narrator)
Friday, April 12:
- Review Tour – Garrett Leigh – Jude
- Book Blast – Always Ours: An MMM Menage Romance by J.P. James
- BLITZ Moonstruck by Aleksandr Voinov
- An Ali Review : Jude by Garrett Leigh
- A MelanieM Review: Moonstruck by Aleksandr Voinov
- A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Impacted! (Bay Area Professionals) by Mickie B. Ashling
Saturday, April 13:
- PROMO Starting From Zero by Lane Hayes
- A MelanieM Review:For The Win (#lovehim #2.5) by S.M. James
