Location, Location, Location!!!


So there’s a big piece of advice a writer often gets when they start out writing, and it’s ‘write what you know’. Why? Probably because it’s more believable and you’re not as likely to screw up your facts. (Hello, that is the BIG reason I’m terrified to write a historical, though I love to read them!)


After my first book, which was kind of a purge of every Harlequin and romance novel combined into one fun, dramatic love story, I decided to sit down and write a book that takes place in Seattle. My home town. And so Dangerous Grounds began to take shape. I plotted the heck out of the story (totally a new thing for me!) and took classes to help with the research. Strippercize (yes there is a stripping scene!) and a class on how to open your own espresso business. I was the only one there actually not interested in going into coffee.


What I noticed when I began to write what I know (Seattle) was that I wanted to share the love for the state I lived in. Washington. I love to travel. To explore and do touristy things--even when I’m at home. And this transferred into my writing. In my Seattle Steam series (Tempting Adam and Dangerous Grounds so far!) you’ll see a theme. Along with a fun plot, I love to take you on a tour of my city through writing. You’ll become a tourist voyeuristically by reading my book. If that makes any sense (and I’m not claiming it does!). In other words, the city and region I live in almost becomes a secondary character.


Personally, when I read a book I enjoy seeing that. I love a writer who can drop me into Dublin Ireland, or New Orleans and make me feel like I’m there. Now I’m not saying I always need the location to play a huge part of the books I read--or even write! Sometimes the story line is big enough that a book could be set anywhere (even the clearance aisle at Target!) and I wouldn’t care.


So how about you? What are your thoughts on how much detail should be included about the location of a story? Does it bother you when the author goes into depth about the city? Or do you put on your tourist hat and eat it up with a spoon? *Grin*

Bio:

Shelli read her first romance novel when she was eleven and fell in love with the genre. It wasn't until many years later that she decided to pursue writing stories of her own. By then she acknowledged the voices in her head didn't make her crazy, they made her a writer. Her ideal romance, both to read and write, is one that'll not only get you a little hot under the collar, but also gives you a good laugh every now and then.



Shelli currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her young daughter and enjoys serving as President of her local RWA chapter.

Links:



Email: shellistevens@aol.com
Website: http://www.shellistevens.com/
Blog http:http://www.shellistevens.blogspot.com/
Group Blog: http://www.naughty-and-spice.com/
Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShelliStevens/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/shellistevens






Latest Release: Blurb:

The man she wants is the one she must deceive.

Seattle Steam Book 2

Christy Wallace may be a respectable Seattle Spanish teacher, but she’s got a sultry side. She lets it come out to play during the summer, when she moonlights as a Salsa dancing instructor.

Sexy, cowboy Adam wants more time with her than just a fleeting cup of coffee, but she makes it clear that if he wants her, he’ll have to sign up for dance class. Amazingly enough, he does. And Christy finds herself falling for a charming country hick with hands as fast as his feet.

Adam’s no hick, though. He’s the owner of Adam’s Apples, the fastest-growing cider business in eastern Washington. To his own surprise, one night with her has him thinking in terms of forever. That is, until he walks into a restaurant for a family lunch—and finds Christy on the arm of his brother.

Is there a logical explanation? Or is something rotten in Seattle?

Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, dirty mechanical bull riding, and the violation of blueberries.

Buy Link:

http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/tempting-adam