So, since I have been on a roll lately with the whole Category Romance thing, I figured I would continue with an answer to an earlier question. Is it fine to do the exotic locations in Category. The answer is yes... but do it well.
I think one of the biggest reasons for people not seeing a ton of exotic locations out there stems from the author's inability to accurately portray that location. I know I see manuscripts come across my desk with different locations but the sense of place and time is just not there.
This is something that I do believe few writers can do well. There are those that can but there is a reason. They get what it is to be in a different location. They travel.
Let me give you an example.
Bronwyn Scott www.bronwynnscott.com does an amazing job of working in unique settings. She also has the background for doing this. Along with writing she is a communications expert that focuses on both interpersonal and intercultural communications. She has also traveled. Her latest online read with Harlequin (Grayson Prentiss's Seduction) is set in Spain. She has one set in Victorian Rwanda as well.
Even her standard historicals make a reader stand up and take notice due to the depth of location.
***************The key is to really know that your lcoation is one that is perfect for the story and that you understand it far deeper than a reading from some source book. I should say that some locations I just find difficult for something in the way of romances. Medieval's for me are one of those subgenres. Look, this was just not a pretty time.
So, if you have a location that might work, check it out. If you know it well enough, you might be able to pull it off.
Off to work on my TO DO LIST for the day.
On the list:
1. Submissions (if you are waiting on one from me, I am going to get to it today...hopefully)
2. Work on the Marketing Your Fiction Novel Class (check out the details at www.greyhausagency.com).
3. Mow lawn if it stops raining
4. Play Barbies with my littlest, stamps and crafts with my middlest and legos or chess with my oldest.
5. Make fresh pasta for dinner.
Ciao!
Scott
lol--never ever thought of that. But...you're right. I do see some locations where it's very obvious the writer has either taken a package tour, or watched a series set there (and on a set), or studied travel material. They don't have that..."feel" the speech cadence, and the smells and stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'll check out the link.
This idea is really just an extension of that "show don't tell" argument we talk about. I can take a picture of a location and describe it, but it just isn't quite the same thing.
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