I feel like a superstar.Travelling through rural India with my two long-suffering friends, everywhere we go people beg to have their picture taken with us. Yesterday, for example, we went into Fort Jaigarth, a stunning mountain fortress in the hills of Rajasthan. Just inside the gates, we stopped to admire the beautifully dressed women lined up for photos. Next thing we knew, we were at the center of a photo flash mob. Women jostled for position next to us, while the men with them snapped pictures. The guys soon decided they needed to be in the pictures too, so they traded off handfulls of cameras and posed next to us as well. I think we would be there still if my friend Jaya–clearly made of sterner stuff–hadn’t reminded the lot of us that we were actually there to learn about the history of the place.
As a writer, it was a reminder of how easily something or someone stands out if they don’t match their location. While I’m standing next to total strangers smiling at their cameras for the next few weeks, Lizzie Lamb is hosting this Sunday coffee and sharing some of her thoughts about how important it is for writers to get the location right, whether that’s done with characters who fit seamlessly into their location, or with those who stand out as a contrast.
So please grab a cup of your favorite Sunday morning brew, pull your chair near the fire, and join me in welcoming Lizzie Lamb.
Location, Location, Location
Guest Post by Lizzie Lamb
How does a writer choose the location for her novels? Maybe it’s somewhere she loves and has revisited many times. Maybe it’s somewhere new which sparks off her imagination and she finds herself wondering what if . . . then the characters start forming themselves into an orderly queue, demanding to be given voice through the pages of her book.
For example, in Tall, Dark and Kilted I have two different locations: Notting Hill and Wester Ross. I loved the movie Notting Hill and was intrigued by how desirable that area has become, when once it was regarded as a slum and was the scene of race riots in the late 50’s. A few summers ago I had a one-off opportunity to explore the garden square where Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts fell in love. These gardens are private and access is usually only available to the owners of the million pound houses which back onto these fabulous green rectangles. The garden which blew me away, was one just off Elgin Crescent W11. Inspired, I used it for the location where out-of-control sisters, Cat and Isla Urquhart, hold their wild party and get busted by the local police. As a direct result, the heroine Fliss, loses her job and travels up to Wester Ross to manage a holistic spa owned by their ditzy mother. There she clashes head on with their brother, brooding, haunted Ruairi Urquhart. Their love story unfolds against a backdrop of a highland castle set in beautiful Wester Ross, Kinloch Mara.
Scotland has featured in two of my books and will also be the setting for number four (hopefully published late 2016). Why Scotland? Anyone who visits the far west coast of Argyllshire and further north cannot fail to be affected by the swirling mists, changing light and the magical, mystical atmosphere engendered by the lochs, mountains and rushy glens. Small wonder the place is populated by faerie waterfalls, monsters in the mist and – of course – gorgeous heroes wearing kilts.
In Scotch on the Rocks I have imagined a once-thriving island community – Eilean na Sgairbh, now almost deserted since the closure of the local whisky distillery owned by my heroine, Ishabel’s, family. This island was partly inspired by Skye and Kyle of Lochalsh, but is in fact an amalgam of other places I’ve visited on that coast. I loved the idea of an island community cut off from the mainland twice daily by the tide and only accessed by an ancient causeway known as The Narrows. It is across this causeway that the hero Brodie is blown in on a storm wind – and then the fun begins. I was able to give full rein to my imagination and describe the island in some detail when Issy takes Brodie on a guided tour of Eilean na Sgairbh to visit the ruined distillery. He nervously clings to the side of the car, being more used to six lane highways and urban American landscape than the soft contours of Eilean na Sgairbh.
Boot Camp Bride was inspired by a totally different location, North-West Norfolk. A friend has a house in Thornham, near Hunstanton, and I’ve spent many happy days walking on the marshes. That coast has a stripped back beauty which you don’t get at first glance, it took me several visits to ‘get my eye in’ and I’ve loved it after ever since. Once, when sitting on a bench overlooking the marshes, watching flocks of wild birds coming in to feed, I thought what a great place it would be to smuggle drugs into the country! I’m a writer – sue me! Behind me was a large house known as Thornham Manor and I thought – what if the house was a Boot Camp for Brides and a front for smuggling activities? My mind ran on a bit further – what if a rookie journalist (Charlee Montague) has to pose as a prospective bride to gain entrance and a cynical, hard bitten photographer (Rafael Fonsecca-Ffinch) poses as her fake fiancé to get the ‘scoop’? The hero, Rafa, also happens to own a mews cottage located in a Chelsea backwater – it’s in need of a serious upgrade, but I could almost imagine Austin Powers living in it! That’s the best thing about being a writer, you can do whatever you want with your characters and where they live.
That about wraps it up. If you like your romance with a great big dollop of humour, fabulous locations and with a guaranteed happy ending, check out my novels. My heroines are can-do, go-getting women and my heroes – well, they’re just to die for, kilted or not!
Oh, and I should say that in #4 which I am currently writing, the heroine gets to live in a castle. I’ve modelled it on Castle Stalker, round which we were given a private tour by the owner in Summer 2015. How could I NOT use that in a novel?
NOTE from Barb:
Do you have a favorite location that you think would make a good setting for a novel? Where is it, and what kind of book would you like to see there?
Join Lizzie Lamb for her next romantic adventure tale, This Highland Magic.
Guest Author Lizzie Lamb
Life is not a rehearsal If you have a dream – go for it.
After teaching her 1000th pupil and working as a deputy head teacher in a large primary school, Lizzie decided it was time to leave the chalk face and pursue her first love: writing. She joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s New Writers’ Scheme, honed her craft and wrote Tall, Dark and Kilted (2012), quickly followed a year later by Boot Camp Bride and then Scotch on the Rocks. Lizzie loves the quick fire interchanges between the hero and heroine in the old black and white Hollywood movies, and hopes this love of dialogue comes across in her writing.
Lizzie is a founding member of indie publishing group – New Romantics Press. In November 2014 they held an Author Event at Waterstones High Street, Kensington, London the icing on the cake as far as they are concerned – and a fitting way to celebrate their achievements. As for the years Lizzie spent as a teacher, they haven’t quite gone to waste as she is building up a reputation as a go-to speaker on the subject of self-publishing.
Contact and Info for Lizzie Lamb and her books
Amazon page: http://tinyurl.com/mpcv6bn
http://www.facebook.com/LizzieLambwriter
lizzielambwriter@gmail.com
website: http://www.lizzielamb.co.uk
Linked in: uk.linkedin.com/pub/lizzie-lamb/18/194/202/
Goodreads http://tinyurl.com/cbla48d
twitter: @lizzie_lamb
Rosie Amber said:
I like the rugged coastlines of Devon which are mixed with sweeping sandy bays, and the Cornish coastlines, but these have been used for many, many storylines.
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Lizzie Lamb (@lizzie_lamb) said:
Hi Rosie, I, too, love Cornwall but – as you say, the location has been used so many times its hard to be original. I think one of the reason my books sell so well in the US is that the readers are familiar with Scotland and its on their bucket list.
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Lizzie Lamb said:
Reblogged this on New Romantics Press and commented:
If you;d like to learn more about the locations which inspire LIzzie’s novels then click on this link to Barb Taub’s fabulous blog.
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Lizzie Lamb (@lizzie_lamb) said:
Hi Barb, I hope you’re having a fabulous time on your tour of INdia. I live in Leicester which is known as LIttle India. In the autumn we host the largest Diwali party outside of India and the GOLDEN MILE of shops, restaurants etc is closed to traffic. Once, I saw a young Hindu man in full traditional robes on the way to his wedding riding a white horse on the pavement, preceded by a tabla player.
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Lizzie Lamb (@lizzie_lamb) said:
Thank for allowing me to share my LOCATIONS with all those who follow your fabulous blog. Reading through the blog again, I am reminded what sparked my to write my books. I think the highlight of all the places I’ve visited has to be CASTLE STALKER. sO ATMOSPHERIC.
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Judith Barrow said:
Reblogged this on Judith Barrow and commented:
Steaming cup of coffee in hand I enjoyed this lovely post from Lizzie Lamb. Reading the first paragraph from Barb and seeing the photo reminded me of the time we were in China and how I stood out amongst the petite women joining in with their morning exercises in a local square. Well I was about a foot taller. First time I’d felt I was ‘The Other’… even though they made us very welcome. So, my choice would be China and a Romance. But don’t ask me to write it!
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Lizzie Lamb said:
Judith, I’d go anywhere in order to feel taller. LOL. Thanks for commenting.
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junekearns said:
LOVELY post, Lizzie.
I’ve shared these stories with you many times, but still love hearing. You have a real sense of place, and strong attachment, I know, to all of your settings. (Posting this in the car on way to London to pace out one of my own!)
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Lizzie Lamb said:
Thanks June, London is so inspirational, too. When I visited those Garden Squares, it gave me a different insight into my characters’ lives. Looking forward to reading your book one day soon.
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Alys West said:
I’m a sucker for Scotland too Lizzie. My second full-length novel is set in Orkney which is amazingly beautiful but quite challenging to get right, especially seeing as I live in Yorkshire. I’ve loved looking at your gorgeous pictures of Scotland. Really brightened up my Sunday morning!
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Lizzie Lamb said:
Thanks Alys, we visited Orkney a few years ago because we wanted to see Skara Brae first hand, and the painted chapel which the Italian prisoners of war created. It hard to write about Scotland and not include the amazing history. I’ also enjoying SHETLAND, especially the character, Jimmy Perez.
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beyaztrk said:
I m sucker
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Terry Tyler said:
What a lovely post, Lizzie! I totally understand your Scotland obsession – and am LIQUID with envy about your camper van!
Barb, the crowd picture at the top of this post has got to be your picture of the decade, I love it! It HAS to be on the front of the next Indian travels book…! Can I nick it NOW?
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Lizzie Lamb said:
Thanks Terry, just gearing up to go away for my birthday on March 11th. IT’ll probably be bloody freezing, but what they hey? Only as far as Exeter this time but back to Scotland this summer.
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lindahuber said:
Fabulous photos of my homeland – thanks you so much! 🙂
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Lizzie Lamb said:
Thank you, LInda. My homeland, too. and always in my heart ❤
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Sherry Gloag said:
Holkham Hall in Norfolk was the inspiration for Duty Calls. What is so lovely is you can take the ‘place’ and give it a twist. You can add, removes and change various situations of your chosen location and yet, hopefully, retain the original ambience of it. 🙂
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Lizzie Lamb said:
Sherry, I know Holkham Hall well. We’ve walked from Wells Next the Sea, through the woods and to Holkham beach many times. I would have based more novels in Norfolk but US readers don;t seem to get the vibe as much as they do with Scottish-themed novels.
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Jan Brigden said:
Great post, ladies! The collective photos are fab and it’s so true what you say about characters matching their locations. I’m still determined to get to those Scottish Highlands, Lizzie! 🙂 X
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Lizzie Lamb said:
Jan, go for it. The west coast is stunningly beautiful (although much wetter). The East coast is just as scenic but in a different way. As for Edinburgh – fabulous. You’ve read both Tall, Dark and Kilted and Scotch on the Rocks, you must know some good phrases by now. ‘Swally’, for one. 😉
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Mary Smith said:
The Tourist Board (or whatever it calls itself nowadays) should hire you, Lizzie – or at least give you an award for services to tourism in Scotland. Great post.
Barb, I love your flash mob photo.
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Lizzie Lamb said:
Thanks Mary, I’ll take the job if they offer it to me. LOL.
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Marcia said:
OH, how I long to visit every single place you mentioned and showed us photos of!! Yep. Scotland has been on my Bucket List for years, and I refuse to think I’ll never get there. And don’t even get me started on men in kilts! Can’t wait to read your books, Lizzie! Lovely post!
waving at Barb in India! Great photo of that, as well!
Oh, and my husband drives a VW bus just like the ones you show here. It’s a 1962 model (I think), the last year they made them with the split windshield, and he’s had it for about 35 years. (He is unnaturally attached to it, and I suspect he has late night rendezvous with it, after I’m asleep.) 😀
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Lizzie Lamb said:
Marcia, my husband renovated a 1964 (I think) splitty for our nephew. We also have a caravan which we pull with the camper van if we want to be a bit more luxurious. Go to Scotland (choose June or September ehern its driest and the midges aren’t such a problem). You’ll love it.
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Elyse said:
Lizzie, your settings sound wonderful! I took my first trip to Scotland with my boyfriend John, who proposed to me at sunset on the Salisbury Craigs overlooking Edinburgh Castle following a trip through the Highlands. We have a photo of Stalker Castle in our bedroom. So I’m already hooked. I will be checking out your books for certain (I hear Jessica Lange’s Mary MacGreggor whenever I say “for certain.”)
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Lizzie Lamb said:
Thank you Elyse. The tour of Castle Stalker took two hours and we were shown round by the son of the man who did most of the renovations. In the entrance ‘hall’ they had stills from Monty Python and the Holy Grail and the son (and present owner) is featured in the film, briefly. It was the highlight of our holidays and I hope I do it justice in #4.
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patriciasands said:
What a lovely post, Lizzie. Does the Scottish Tourist Board know about you? Your post provided reason enough to book a trip to visit the locations you described and I’m sure your novels only increase the desire. I’m off to download! p.s. Thanks for all you do to promote the wonderful world of indie authors!
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Lizzie Lamb said:
Thank you so much for your kind remarks, Patricia. I believe in indie- authors and I know how hard they/we work to get ourselves out there. Lovely bloggers like Barb and Rosie Amber help the cause, too. I hope you enjoy SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS.
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Don Massenzio said:
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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Lizzie Lamb said:
I forgot to mention . . . . SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS is shortlisted for the Exeter Novel Prize, the first indie author’s book ever to receive a nomination.
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barbtaub said:
Now that’s worth a tweet! Congrats!!!!!
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Lizzie Lamb said:
I believe I’m the first indie to reach the final six. Ceremony on March 12th, the day after my birthday!
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Vanessa-Jane Chapman said:
I love these descriptions of the locations, and why you chose them Lizzie. Ultimately it’s about authenticity isn’t it – it floors me when authors use locations that they clearly have no personal knowledge of and instead insert stereotype impressions of that place, it stands out a mile. Far better to create a fictitious imaginary location than to use a real one without knowing what that real one is really like.
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Jadi Campbell said:
‘Scotch on the Rocks’… what a great title!
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barbtaub said:
A very fun read too!
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