Real Town or Made Up Location? http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498 druding I'm trying to decide between using real streets, buildings, etc. (I'm setting my mystery in the No. CA, East Bay town I live in) or slightly altering the name and locations so as not to have to (1) offend locals and (2) be super careful about how many doors and windows the morgue has, for instance. I know the Sue Grafton mysteries all have a slightly altered Santa Barbara as a location. Another reason for a pretend town is that I want to explore some political problems that are real here to tie them into a murder (developers and a proposed casino) and also some early prostitution - seems it might be better to change the name of the city? SusanD Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:16:02 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_243443 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_243443 doxunt I've used google earth street views to get a feel of everything from a few miles up to international locals. It's much easier. Dan Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:07:43 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_243711 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_243711 bethverde I like reading things set in real locations, but as such I don't mind when some things are changed a bit--I don't think your readers are going to go count the windows in the morgue. I guess for the political problems--change the name and nature a little bit and you should be fine. Sounds interesting! Happy writing! Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:18:11 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_244098 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_244098 Armas_Termin I've used real locations with as much detail is specifically naming streets in routes by using Google Maps many times, but that doesn't stop me from completely BS-ing a location when I need something somewhere. I don't think you should worry about it too much, just go with what works for you. As for offending people, who cares? They'll get over it. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:42:47 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_244542 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_244542 AKimlin Mine is a mix - my first book in this series Joe and Tim are from a town called Umber Bridge in Pennshire. (Basically the Castle Howard area of Yorkshire shoved closer to Scarborough). This one I am getting adventurous and setting it in Copenhagen. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 05:43:49 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_244858 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_244858 muninsfire In the grand tradition of Stephen King and Sue Grafton, I'm taking real-life locations and filing the serial numbers off, changing the names, and tweaking them for suitability. That way you have the framework to work with, but you don't have to keep exactly to reality. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:35:23 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_245551 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_245551 DaxBenny Changing the name of the town probably won't greatly affect the story so long as its believable. You could just surf google maps to find the name of a town in another state that you like, then say its a town in you're state (assuming there isn't one already). That way its the same town you live in, just by a different name. If you want to use other real locations you could always just use anagrams of them, there's an excellent online anagram finder. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:41:54 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_246891 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_246891 keithisgood I'd suggest using real names/locales, at least for your rough draft. You can always edit out names in revisions. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:16:34 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_247322 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_247322 writerwoman I'm doing a mashup of several CA towns around the Central Coast. DH suggested name for it: Santa Marinara. Town Motto: "Where the Sauce Comes From." I'm thinking that's a temporary fix... Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:31:32 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_253664 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_253664 aj chase i'm setting mine in albuquerque new mexico. i don't even think i'm going to alter anything. just roll with the reality Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:28:09 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_255133 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_255133 BlackScorpio I've used a real location (Dallas) in two of my mystery novels, and a made-up town in Kansas in one other mystery novel. When I use a real city, I do so because I'm using specific buildings, venues, etc. I might use a real area of the city, but I make sure there are no such real addresses as the ones I use. My 2011 novel is set in a real courthouse in Dallas, so I'm using real street names, locations, etc. Using Google Maps is a good idea and a way to get a feel for what a place that you've not been to looks like. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:27:44 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_255931 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_255931 Kandiman I'm using a fictional town, Nuevo Oro, which 'exists' on the Mexicali border. I wanted my own, more realistic, version of Discworld - a sandbox in which I could tell stories of many different genres without having to worry about realism or upsetting anyone too much. My NaNo novel is quite political, massive conspiracies, etc. If I set it in a real town, I'd get sued. My setting it in a fictional one, nobody can touch me. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:15:32 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_261275 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_261275 Cypher I'm using a fictional town just because it gives me the freedom to tweak the geography as needed. The idea being that this is a town where bad things happen, and everybody is willfully ignoring them or sweeping them under the rug. Except for the protagonists, of course. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:49:43 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_263022 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_263022 MysteriousFlower Mine is real and I have only been twice. Manchester, right here in the UK. I have taken some geographical knowledge from google so I hope its enough to make it work Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:34:47 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_263681 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_263681 GreaseLightning I'm not even sure I'm going to mention a location. I like having that element of mystery, but I might change my mind. In my mind, the story takes place in my (small) hometown, but if I go back and edit it later, I'll probably change it to some other town like mine. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:55:47 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_265826 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_265826 smithk654 I'm using a fictional location, but that's mostly because I want to make it feel like it could be Anytown, USA. But, that's just me. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:36:22 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_267517 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_267517 KellyinCA All real locations for me, I'd rather not have to create a new everything. I'm actually going to be visiting Boston in the middle of the month so I'll use it as a local for some good killin' then my trip is 'research' see?! Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:20:18 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_269263 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_269263 BWKeller Real locations for me. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:05:37 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_308787 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_308787 dilemma_name I am doing the same thing one of the previous posters said: Writing a real location to start with, but I might change it during revision. The city I am setting it in is small enough that I might not be able to get away with everything I plan on changing, just because there isn't enough stuff here to play that fast and loose, but at the same time I feel like I know the area well enough to be able to come up with setting details on the fly without research and still keep things consistent. If I feel too uncomfortable with all the details later, I'll edit to move it to a fictional - but very similar - city. My concern with dealing with the politics too closely, or using the real people involved, is that you can get in trouble for libel later on. I am not a lawyer, but I think you would have to pretty substantially change the details to get around that even if you do set it in the original location rather than a fictional one. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:34:48 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_309541 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_309541 S.A. Hollow Tweaked location based on a real location for me. I'm basically combining 2 small towns into one for my novel. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:12:40 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_315260 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_315260 j-cat I'm envious of those with made-up locations, how fun! I stuck with San Francisco, a certain week in August, 1940. The researcher and journalist in me, I guess. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:04:20 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_323403 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_323403 reginams I'm using a fake suburb of a real city. i think it is the best of both worlds. I get the authentic regional flavor (Houston, TX), but complete freedom creating the setting for the crime at the center of the novel. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:34:33 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_324132 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_324132 charleenlynette Typically I've used made-up settings. This year, though, I'm going with all real locations (and being a conspiracy thriller with characters on the run, there are several). But since my research pretty much consists of Wikipedia, official city websites, and Google maps, I'm either going to have some very detail-less cities or horribly inaccurate ones. Not too worried about it for NaNo but if I ever go further with the novel I'll have some work to do. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:20:34 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_337617 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_337617 SummerDaniels I plan on using the love child of Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana as far as setting and atmosphere goes. Will be set sometime between 1890 and 1910. I'll probably narrow it down a little in revision. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:51:00 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_338300 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_338300 Dee Pratt I'll be sticking with real locations. There'll be many murders in Memphis before I'm through... Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:04:16 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_339989 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_339989 Lady_L All real. London - Westminster, Victoria, Mayfair, Vauxhall etc. The Middle East - Riyadh, Manama, Doha, maybe Dubai and Tehran... LL Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:53:00 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_349187 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_349187 DreamwalkerKita Mine will probably be based on the Charleston, SC area, but as I'm still trying to learn my way around here, it definitely will have tweaks to it. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:39:57 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_359669 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_359669 VengefulKBM Mine's in a completely made-up location in the middle of Washington State: Nowheresville. The fact that it doesn't exist on any map and only a few people seem to even know of its existence is a crucial part of the story and the mystery, however, so I feel like my use of a made-up location is completely justified. :p Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:52:36 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_362418 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_362418 litra I'm also using a real place, san francisco although since my story is set in the 20s i have plenty of freedom to make stuff up... Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:49:20 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_366699 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_366699 Ravanum I make up nearly all of my locations... I write primarily fantasy and scifi, so creating a magical forest or a war-torn planet is pretty easy. Creating a small forested town in Colorado is a little more tricky, though. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:59:43 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_367041 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_367041 AdamHolmberg My location is entirely fictional. Mine is actually a mystery, but it's in what some would consider a SF setting (on a terriformed world in 2273), but my inspiration for this story (and hopefully series) is Joss Whedon's Firefly, which is more a "future western" than a SF show. Well, this is more a "future PI agency" than a SF story, and most of the tech is little more fantastical than what you see in an average CSI episode. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:18:21 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_376016 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_376016 darkdragonspet Mine is real but then what has more mystery than the Cape of Fear Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:05:57 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_470056 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_470056 ThousandMonkeys I'm kind of torn, but I may go with the idea of using a real location for now and changing names later. The trouble is, I want to reference nearby (real) places to give the reader the general location, but I worried about inadvertently describing a real inhabitant of the small town where all the action takes place so I wonder if it's safer not to name it. Having said that, sometimes in Reginald Hill's Dalziel and Pascoe novels when they're in made-up locations in the fictional area of Mid-Yorkshire, you can recognise the location he had in mind. I also like looking on Google Earth and finding real streets just as described, for instance from the Saratoga novels by Stephen Dobyns, or Elvis Cole novels by Robert Crais. So like I said, torn. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:14:44 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_487495 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_487495 SammyWrae Generally, I put a disclaimer that I picked up from a movie called "Storytelling" at the start of every story when there might be real world issues. The wording varies from story to story, but essentially I make it clear that - once I start writing - it is all fiction. So that even if I am using a real world location, it is a fictionalised version of it. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 07:58:12 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_488623 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_488623 lissameliss It depends how familiar you are with your crime topic and location, together...i.e I lived in NY for a month once and walked all over the city and felt I knew it well, plus I worked with a sex worker charity in London dealing with pimps and club owners but I wouldn't set a club story in NY. I'd be too embarassed about a local reading it and saying 'pah. russian hookers don't work there, they are all polish!' or 'that neighbourhood isn't that sleazy, it's quite nice on a sunday afternoon.' Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:50:48 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_490408 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_490408 S. Kelly Wayne I have not really decided where my novel is set this time. The last two were based on a city near me, but with completely fictionalized elements, in fact if anyone knew I was borrowing from that place they probably would not believe it because I changed it so much to meet my noveling needs. This year I am thinking of using the names of cities and towns that appear in more than one state, like Portland or Greenville, that sort of thing and never mentioning the state they are in. Then I have the ability to google map any or all of them and play with them that way and should it ever be published then people from the various places would all have a fun time trying to decipher which is the real setting when I know it was all just fiction anyway. Above all it is important to recognize that no matter how much research we do or what we may start with as an idea, once we start writing and bringing in our own ideas and twists it is all fiction. Just like we are not murderers just because people get killed in our stories. Fiction. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:03:11 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_490637 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_490637 snappyssidekick yeah, my characters just went to a real street in Bernal Heights, but I think it's up to you. You are the author. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:55:54 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_495900 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_495900 JediWriter I was originally going to place mine in the small town I grew up in. I had problems though finding out acccurately how the police, sherrif's, state police etc. were organized, what the jurisdictions were (ie. if a crime occurred in this area whose responsibility would it be). In the end, I just decided, I'll combine two or three of the areas around where I grew up and create my own. That way, I can put a casino where I want it, etc. I'd even toyed with the idea, and may still do it, about having a semi-alternate world where for instance forensics, etc. have advanced to modern times, but the society my detective finds himself in is still rather 1920s in beliefs/attitudes towards different social groups, etc. That way my 20th century detective for instance, could visit speak easies, bootleggers, etc. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:56:57 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_495925 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_495925 Eric Turowski As a reader, I fully appreciate Spenser's Boston, or Harry Bosch's LA, or Robicheaux's New Iberia, and especially Spade's San Francisco. So as a writer, both for the sake of my own enjoyment and for the added benefit of verisimilitude, I put as many real locations in as possible. I'll maybe add an extra block here and there just in case the book gets published and all my fans flock to the detective's house on a legend trip. Hey, it could happen. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:08:11 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_497826 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_497826 UCF612 I'm using a made up location. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:03:13 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_504537 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_504537 sv My location is very real and also real-time (Helsinki in November 2011), and so are most of the details, such as addresses, institutions and current affairs. My characters however are toally made up, as are the events in my story naturally. Not that this will ever see the light of day, but if it did, I might have to take care to make sure that it doesn't get too close for comfort. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:52:45 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_505887 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_505887 Tanya897 Mine's made up Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:18:59 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_596157 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_596157 Carlos Estevez Mine's completely made up, a made up world even. I'm not quite sure if this is a good idea or not but it seemed appealing to me when I started and it does give a lot of freedom. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:04:27 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_596602 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_596602 Cathe They are mostly real cities, but I invent businesses, etc. I only do it with towns that I am pretty familiar with. In other stories, I have used a combination of real cities and made-up towns that would be appropriate to the general region. I think that a big city can absorb some artistic license, but you would have to be more careful setting a fictional story in a small town. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:44:03 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_597046 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_597046 simsx28 My book is set in: Council Grove, Kansas Cottonwood, Arizona Mount Prospect, Illinois Chicago, Illinois Lakeland, Florida London, England, UK and a few other places I have not nailed down yet. Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:03:18 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_788336 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_788336 yaasehshalom I'd base it on a real town but just change the names, that's what I always do with my stuff. Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:36:06 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_791823 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_791823 Caia Marie Mine's made up, partly because my central mystery is based partly on a real murder that occurred in my hometown, so I don't really want to directly connect the town and my story. The fictional town I'm going with is kind of a mix of my hometown's geography coupled with the small-town feel of the towns I went to school in. Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:05:43 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_800743 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_800743 TribalCat Mine is based on a real town, and most of the streets have the same names (I'm using Google maps for details, but also Google Earth to "see" the town). I've renamed some of the real businesses and events in town, but the surrounding towns and landmarks are the same. In the book I wrote a scene where the main couple were walking down to the marina for a romantic dinner on a boat, but after I checked it out on Google Earth and realized they would have to walk about 30 blocks roundtrip, I decided to add a trolley system, which isn't in the real town, but I needed a form of transportation that was more romantic than a taxi or a bus. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:29:52 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_994538 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_994538 Azzie-chan I was going to use a real location, but it turned out that a city the right size in the right location doesn't exist. So I made one up. c: Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:45:24 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_995687 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_995687 TommehBell I'm using a made up city. I just couldn't find a real city I wanted to put my story in. Nothing seemed to fit for the story. I mean we get enough small town stories and NYC and LA stories so I wanted to find a happy medium but I couldn't. And I just didn't want to put in the effort researching a real locale lol. Its actually located where Greensboro, NC is but I want it to be a bigger city than that. So its actually going to encompass Thomasville, High Point and Lexington. Neptune, North Carolina :) Took me two whole months to come up with that name. All the other ones just didn't seem to fit. And its located in Nolan County :) Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:11:30 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1014403 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1014403 lrparks I use real locations. This allows me to use google maps to actually see the location. It makes descriptions easier write. The only time I use a fictitious address or establishment name is if I am going to make derogatory statements about the place or establishment. For example, if some of my characters are going to go to lunch in the French Quarter in New Orleans I can pick a place, see the place, its menu and read the reviews of the place. Make writing the description real easy. If I’m going to send my protagonist to sleazy bar to observe some illegal activity by using the same methodology I insure that there is no place with that name, and that the location doesn’t exist so nobody can complain. Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:42:13 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1014613 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1014613 FranOnTheEdge Well the town is perfectly real, but I keep appropriating houses, or schools, or historical buildings - and saying "That's where The Manor is". In my 1st book I did this with a location in the town, only to find looking on google recently that the town has built a wacking great new art centre on the site. "Hey! They knocked down my museum, and built a modern monstrosity on the site!" Lol! (actually it looks quite nice, maybe I can say the murder that was committed there was too much for the town council - so they built this? - that'll work.) Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:32:26 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1027413 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1027413 HarperINK I did a mixture of both. I made up the actual details but I set it in North Dakota and mentioned it was about half an hour away from a real town. That really allowed me to play with the setting while still allowing a regional feel. :) Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:43:50 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1038481 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_1038481 CAByrnes [quote=muninsfire] In the grand tradition of Stephen King and Sue Grafton, I'm taking real-life locations and filing the serial numbers off, changing the names, and tweaking them for suitability. That way you have the framework to work with, but you don't have to keep exactly to reality. [/quote] I'm taking a similar approach. In fact, I'm using Santa Barbara as the model for the town of Siete Mares, but adding bits and moving bits around to suit the plot. The community college where my MC teaches is based on the one where I currently teach in Albuquerque, but again, with tweaks. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:35:45 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_344348 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_344348 Kandiman I used to live near Manchester! Give me a shout if you have questions... Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:05:58 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_264195 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_264195 TommehBell I used to go to school at MMU in Manchester. I loved Manchester and I'm moving there next fall :) Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:06:27 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1014397 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1014397 MysteriousFlower Thank you! I might just drop you a message! Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:44:20 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_268660 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_268660 Jencogneeto [quote=S.A. Hollow] Tweaked location based on a real location for me. I'm basically combining 2 small towns into one for my novel. [/quote] Same here, with a migration to another state thrown in :) Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:37:41 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_486704 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=1#forum_thread_comment_486704 patb130 I was sort of in your situation. I ended up using mostly real locations as I too wanted to reference real places and legitimate feel of the area (dialect, economy, etc.). What I did was make up one small town (I guess this works best if you're using small towns) situated right next to the small town my character is from. Most of the action will take place in the fictionalized town so that way any similiarities are decidedly fiction. It's worked nicely so far. Anytime I find myself referencing something a bit too close to real life, I just move it to my neighboring town...creatin this town also let me keep the feel of my legitimate locales while being able to completely make things up. I also liked what Dennis Lehane (I've referenced him on several Msg boards...I just think the man's a phenomenal writer) did in several of his books. They all take place in Boston and he would either add a fictional neighborhood or put a disclaimer in the front of his books saying that for the sake of creativity he was being inaccurate about real locations (making up street, having two locales closer than they are etc). Sat, 05 Nov 2011 08:57:33 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_489542 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=2#forum_thread_comment_489542 caffinewithdrawl Ah, Charlie Sheen... clever tribute? or coicidence? :) Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:11:31 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_596691 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_596691 Carlos Estevez Not so clever tribute, it also includes an anagram of my actual name (and a few stray zs). Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:52:49 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_598898 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_598898 simsx28 [quote=simsx28] My book is set in: Council Grove, Kansas Cottonwood, Arizona Mount Prospect, Illinois Chicago, Illinois Lakeland, Florida London, England, UK and a few other places I have not nailed down yet. [/quote] I am setting the story in all the real places, i might change the street names etc. at a later date. I tried to make up town names it just didn't work out. Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:11:44 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_788423 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/mystery-thriller-suspense/threads/12498?page=3#forum_thread_comment_788423