Paris doesn’t sell.
I’ve heard that statement quoted with the fervor of the newly
converted and the weariness of the ancient cynic since I first decided I wanted
to write. So me being me, I set my one of my favorite books, ART OF LOVE, in Paris.
But from my perspective from
a small coffee shop on the rue Voltaire,
there was no reason Paris shouldn’t sell. It’s a fabulous city charmed by and history to be a historical romance writer’s
nirvana.
And for better or worse, the hero that came to me while I
meandered the winding, medieval streets was a Scotsman. I was so excited about
Alain of Huntly Wood that I couldn’t not write
his story even if it did take place in Paris and even if Paris is the kiss of
death for a romance.
But Alain’s story is intricately bound to Paris of the 12th
century and the exciting, overcrowded and malodorous Latin Quarter. If set in
London or Edinburgh or even the absolute gorgeous landscape between Inverness
and Thurso, Alain’s story would be a different tale entirely—and a much less
satisfying one—because in ART OF LOVE, Paris is not “wallpaper” but a thriving
character in its own right.
So my questions to you, the readers:
·
Do you notice setting at
all? If so, how much? If not, why not?
·
Do you want “place” to
be as active and interesting a character in the story as the hero and heroine
or are you happy with “wallpaper” settings?
·
Do you read stories set
in your favorite places or those on your wish list?
No comments:
Post a Comment