We’ve all heard it. Romantic books set in the Middle East won’t sell. Books set in Germany won’t sell. Books set in South America won’t sell. Yet we’re told to write what we know. Me? I know Milwaukee, but I would also be the first to tell you that Milwaukee is one of the least exotic places on earth. There’s just so much you can say about beer and bratwurst. Yet, this is the city I grew up in. Sure I can write about New York or San Francisco, but I certainly don’t know those two cities as intimately as I know my hometown.
So what’s a writer to do? You can research the city you chose to set your book in. You can even go there and try to absorb the atmosphere, get a feel for the location. You can wing it and hope your lack of knowledge doesn’t show up in the book you’re writing. I’ll admit I’ve done that. My first book was set briefly in Seattle — a city I’d never visited. Fortunately, my hero and heroine were out of Seattle within the first chapter and I was able to b.s. my way with only a few references. My present W.I.P. is set in San Francisco … a city that I’ve visited several times. Fortunately. Not only do I have a good feel for the city, but I’m also collecting books, maps and researching the heck out of it. Since this book is set exclusively in this area, I better know what I’m talking about. Otherwise, someone is gonna call me on it.
But back to the subject of writing in less than exotic locations. There are a lot places in this world that I would consider exotic. China is exotic, yet very few romances are set there. Keri Arthur writes urban fantasies set in Melbourne, Australia. Again, to me exotic, yet you read few books set in Australia. Fiji, Bermuda, Central America … all lush, beautiful places, yet these places appear to be taboo.
I guess its up to the author to make these places come alive … for both the editor and the reader. A talented writer could take a location like Siberia and turn it into an exotic location rather than the desolate wasteland I’d always envisioned it.
So, when you think exotic, what comes to mind? Las Vegas? London? Paris? LittleTownUSA?
When I think of exotic, I think more of the environment the author creates rather than the actual city they are in. Whether it be a quaint little town, a bustling city or a touristy beach area, the plot, the characters and the description of the scenery can make it seem as though it’s the most exotic place in the world.
Liz,
When I was in graduate school in Madison, which isn’t exotic, in most people’s mind, most of my classmates were from out-of-state or foreign countries. In fact, as I remember I was the only Wisconsin born and bred student.
Anyway, during a seminar about a month into the first semester, a tiny statured, East Asian man, sitting in the lotus position, looked up at me, watched me for several moments, then said. “You are a very exotic person.”
Everyone else agreed (our major professor wasn’t there at the time, thank goodness. I asked why? Their response, I didn’t sound, act, or look like any of my classmates.
That’s the only time I’ve EVER been called exotic, but I understood his reasoning. My example ties into Elle’s comment as she relates it to writing. If an author sets up the situation as being unique, others not familiar with it, might refer to it as exotic.
Or maybe, I just need a bit more coffee this morning to clear my fuzzy brain.
My WIP is in Nashville, which I’ve never been to. It fits my hero’s passion for music. It’s amazing what you can find online. YouTube has some great videos. I’ve read a blog by a Nashville native. There are several websites about Nashville. I just ordered two books about Nashville from local libraries. I can fill in details during revisions–just enough to give a sense of place.
A writer friend who lives in the area offered to be my beta reader. I’m counting on her to catch any glitches.
Hey Liz, great blog! Maybe exotic is something we don’t see often, like others have mentioned today. For me, I think exotic when I read sweeping adventures in far away lands. The Pyramids, Shanghai, cultures that are seeped in traditions. See what I mean, it’s all in the interpretation I think. Maybe to a foreigner, my preference to small-town backgrounds as a writer, would seem exotic to them.
Gotta love the perception thing.
That’s sorta what I figured, Elle. A good author can take any location and make it “exotic”. Still, I cannot envision anyone making “Cudahy, Wisconsin” into anything exotic.
Interesting, Mary Jo. I guess anyone who isn’t of a certain area (which would be common to you and me) would be viewed as exotic. I seem to remember that when I lived in Australia (ages ago), I was a novelty. Perhaps exotic in their eyes, but what I would call a novelty.
Oh, that’s perfect, Edie. If you have someone native to the area you’re writing about … primo. Getting as much information as possible is imperative because you know there’s always gonna be someone who will catch any errors.
True. It is a matter of perspective, LaD. Is a small town in England any more or less exotic than a small town in Minnesota. For some reason, when an author refers to a small town on the Northern California coast, my immediate vision is a picturesque town set on the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. In reality, it might just be a tiny po-dunk town with one working stop-light. Who knows.
I think of Egypt and India think of exotic. I love San Francisco, too. I’ve only been there once, but it left quite an impression.
exotic means not native, so anywhere outside of the US is exotic to me. and so long as i’m into the characters, i don’t care where the hell they are!
I agree about Egypt, Jane. But do you know that it wasn’t until the movie “Mummy” came out that I was really to appreciate how exotic.
True, Karin. What we would view as common would be exotic to anyone who isn’t native … and vice versa.
I just love authors who can make me want to visit a place once I’m done their book. The mystery author Jane Langton is so good at that.
I’ve been told some of my locations are too exotic
. But as I write historicals, which are exotic in their way, no matter where they are set, and there is no one from the time to check my mistakes, I really have to rely on research to do the job.
Oooo, good point, London. I guess that’s what its really all about. If I read a great book regarding … let’s say, Istabul, I’d probably want to visit there. Even though at this moment it wouldn’t strike me as a vacation spot.
This is true, Michelle. If the research is impeccible and you can make me believe … I’m sold.
Any place can be interesting in the right hands. I love ordinary American cities and town written by authors who see what others don’t notice. As for me I lived in Hollywood and North Hollywood for over 10 years and that’s where I set my stories.
Good points, Linda. I find it fascinating when I read Keri Arthur’s books set in Melbourne, Australia. I’d lived in Australia for a year … although about two hours North of Melbourne, but had visited that city frequently. Reading books set there brings back so many memories and a lot of “Oh, I remember that area.”