Inspiration Vacation
As a romance writer, I set all of my stories in New England - at least I have so far. And there's a very good reason for that. Not only do I live here but I absolutely love it here and I want to share a little bit of home with people who read my books.
If you're not from the area, one thing that might surprise you is exactly how small the New England states are. I have friends who've left early in the morning and visited each of the six states and still made it home before bedtime.
I'm not saying they spent a ton of time in each state, but they still hit Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine in a single day.
Personally, I prefer to day trip to only destination, and if possible, spend a few days exploring the area.
One of my favorite places to spend time is the Portsmouth, NH/Kittery, ME area - especially in the summer. I love the warm weather, the walkability of Portsmouth in particular, and as an added bonus, the Atlantic Ocean is just at the end of the Piscataqua River.
Recently, my husband and I spent the weekend in Portsmouth and I have to tell you, it is very much how I picture my fictional town of Oak Harbor. The two places aren't exactly the same, but the general vibe - a city that's easy to walk, a mix of small and large buildings that dot the landscape, and no shortage of waterfront - connect the two in my mind.
The biggest difference is that Oak Harbor is a whole lot smaller than Portsmouth. I prefer to read small town romance, and I also love writing it. It allows me to know the places I write and the people that inhabit them and hopefully bring them to life in my stories.
If you've read Stitches and Sparks, Jesse and Mia leave her apartment to go to the grocery store but Jesse takes them on a detour to sit on the giant boulders down by the waterfront. I could see the two of them in my mind sitting right here!
We ate dinner in a few different places while we were away. And as soon as we walked in and saw the bar with the endless row of beer taps and the tables lining the walls from front to back, I knew I'd walked into a (bigger) York's Landing, the restaurant and bar where the Oak Harbor locals spend their time.
Barstools and Beginnings, book 2 in the Built to Last series, centers around the local hangout and there was so much to look at in this place, and the food was so delicious, I imagined Sean walking around talking to his customers, Gage manning the bar, and Maggie sitting up there drinking her tall summer wheat ale.
Do you spend your vacations scouting locations and eavesdropping on conversations to use for your writing, or are you normal? 😆
Have you spent any time in New England? What are some of your favorite places to go?
Discover the Berkshire Series: If you haven’t yet delved into my Berkshire series, they’re available at all your favorite book retailers. Dive into the charming world I’ve crafted and meet characters who’ll feel like old friends.
Escape to Oak Harbor: Or, if you’re looking for a quick, spicy read, pick up a copy of Stitches and Sparks. Join Jesse and Mia in Oak Harbor for a story of love, healing, and the sparks that fly when two worlds collide.