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So glad to be blogging with the awesome authors at Romance Writers Weekly today. It's been a while. But I couldn't miss the chance to talk about this topic (although I'm pretty sure my answer won't come as a surprise to anyone!)
Also, I'm thrilled to follow my dear dear friend Jenna Da Sie in today's hop. She left me (and the cold Newfoundland winters) for the warmth of California. I'm trying not to hate her. ;)
The wonderful Carrie Elks asks us:
How do you choose the location for you books? Do you pick somewhere you've already been, or do you research creatively, using Google and other methods to find the perfect spot?
As most of you know, all of my books that I write as Victoria Barbour are set at least partially in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is because it's the location I love best in the world, and I'm a super-patriotic Newfoundlander. But I do take my characters elsewhere. As much as possible I try to bring them to places I've been, simply because I like to draw on my memories of those places. The little things that stand out to me when I'm travelling like the smell of a neighbourhood or the way people drive in Ireland. But there are times when I have to bring characters to places I've never been, and then I go deep into Google earth, and travel blogs. If I can't rely on my impressions, then I'll see what others have thought.
My Hannah Hunter books allow me the freedom to set my books anywhere, but even then, I've put my characters in New York City (one of my favourite cities in the world!) and Ireland. In Ireland, I've used locations I've been, and roads I've driven. I guess i like the authenticity of knowing my setting. And I like to use it as an excuse to travel for research!
Now let's hop over to Teresa Keefer to see what her answer is. I can't wait!