Topic: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
I'll have to think about this one, but until I have something to contribute, the floor is open to all! 
- janet reid
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- Janet Taylor-Perry
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
I'll have to give this one some thought, since romance can occur anywhere!
- Tom Oldman
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
Since I am a pilot, I had an idea many years ago of writing about a man/woman (who dislike each other but were traveling as pilot/passenger) crashing on a desert island. Then, about a year later, the movie "6 Days 7 Nights" (Harrison Ford/Anne Heche) came out and I gave it up. I have decided to try and resurrect that plotline, but changing the locale to a remote area in Alaska (which is pretty much anywhere) and the motivation (of the woman) to stolen property and the guy to a geologist on the ground that comes upon the wreck - and a survivor. No doubt that's been done somewhere before, but I think it's a viable plot.
Tom
- Rebecca Vaughn
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
By setting do you mean location or basic plot?
With location I am certain everything has been done. Forest, mountains, bitter cold, scorching hot, bar, hotel, high rise... Maybe not specifically the Penguin Hotel by the beach in Miami Florida but I certain someone's locations gets pretty close. I don't think it is a unique location that makes it interesting any way. The best novels in the English language are set in rather mundane places. What could be more mundane then the English country side? But that served as a background for nearly everything Jane Austin wrote!
I think it is really the author's ability to bring out the locations' individuality and make it a personality of its own.
This is really hard to do. But I think the more we strive for it the better we get...
- Janet Taylor-Perry
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
My Hillbilly Hijinx series is set in the fictional town of Possum Holler, West Virginia, in the foothills and Possum Holler is basically a cloistered little, poverty riddled place, hidden from mainstream society. I have lots of romance going on there. Not unique, but PH does become its own character.
- Janet Taylor-Perry
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
Wow! I just came from my writer's group, and today they were rabid. They were really unhappy with a character in the fourth Hillbilly Hijinx book--For Richter or Poorer. I wish some of you would read it and I could get some more feedback from you. It's on site.
- PByrd
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
Hi Janet. I'll take a look at your Hillbilly Hijinx.
As for unusual setting, I'd say somewhere crowded like a subway or church?
- janet reid
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
Tom Oldman wrote:
Since I am a pilot, I had an idea many years ago of writing about a man/woman (who dislike each other but were traveling as pilot/passenger) crashing on a desert island. Then, about a year later, the movie "6 Days 7 Nights" (Harrison Ford/Anne Heche) came out and I gave it up. I have decided to try and resurrect that plotline, but changing the locale to a remote area in Alaska (which is pretty much anywhere) and the motivation (of the woman) to stolen property and the guy to a geologist on the ground that comes upon the wreck - and a survivor. No doubt that's been done somewhere before, but I think it's a viable plot.
Tom
Hi Tom, I don't think a geologist has ever been the hero in a romance! Archaeologists have I think. Unless you want to go for something completely novel, I think everything has pretty much been done already. Yet, people still read because although there are certain overlaps and repeats, it's still a new story?! I mean, Regency Novels for example. How many time can a person change the rich, handsome, titled lord and innocent virgin theme? Heaps!!! So I think your idea is possible!
- janet reid
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
Janet Taylor-Perry wrote:
Wow! I just came from my writer's group, and today they were rabid. They were really unhappy with a character in the fourth Hillbilly Hijinx book--For Richter or Poorer. I wish some of you would read it and I could get some more feedback from you. It's on site.
You're too busy!!!! But I'll add it to the list!
- janet reid
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
Ok, the best I can come up with is someones back garden LOL It will be really difficult to change that setting into a fairy land for a fairy tale?! And keep it going for 70-80,000 words! I'm talking romance here, not the pool boy or gardener type lust fantasy BS. And also just a plain, old, normal back garden, not a mega-rich mansion type.
- Janet Taylor-Perry
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
Janet, that romance could be an older couple who both have gardens in their backyards and they begin talking to each other over the fence.
- Tom Oldman
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
Janet Taylor-Perry wrote:
Janet, that romance could be an older couple who both have gardens in their backyards and they begin talking to each other over the fence.
Or set it in England using two adjacent gardening plots. That's all the rage there now. I have a friend who met his wife that way.
Tom
- janet reid
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
Clearly there are more talented writers out there than me then! <----- not surprised! 
- Janet Taylor-Perry
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
KHippolite,
They really don't get Alain Richter.
- Rebecca Vaughn
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Re: Most unusual setting for a romance novel
Janet
I have the same problem with Enhinti. Half of my early readers wanted to turn her into some kind of Xena. The other half said she was annoying and hoped some one would kill her off so Drech could marry some one else.
Don't sweat people not getting a character. That is part of the art. Not all characters are supposed to be easy to get. They challenge our assumptions, stereotypes, and ideals.
No one wants to read about cookie cutter people. If you change Alain to a "good ol boy" or a "country bumpkin" everyone will get him and be dead bored with the book.
