Sunday, April 27, 2008

Eureka Point by Betty Ann Harris


Why you chose that particular setting? My book, Eureka Point, is a romantic suspense, in which the main character, a beautiful and successful Park Avenue interior designer, must assume a new identity and relocate to a somewhat desolate area far away. Eureka Point is an old Victorian seaport town on the rocky shores of the coast of Northern California. The setting is the opposite of New York, where the main character is from, and represents a new start for her. But the severe rocky coastline, with its cliffs and rough seas relates to the danger that still surrounds her.

What does the setting add to the story? The setting adds a sense of mystery, suspense, and danger to my story.

Could you write the same story in a different setting? The setting is so essential to my story that I don't think I could write the same story in a different setting. One thing I do as a writer is spend a good deal of time describing the scene and scenery in order to draw the reader into the story.

Why or why couldn't you use a different setting? If I used a different setting the story would not be as interesting or exciting.

Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting? A rather strange thing happened to me while I was writing this story. I decided on Northern California and just picked a name out of my head. I picked Eureka as the name of the town but I also wanted to use a lighthouse on a point, so I decided on Eureka Point. When I was researching Northern California on a map, low and behold, there was a town on the coast named Eureka. Friends tell me they think I lived there in former life, or they think I'm psychic.

Or, did you create the setting from scratch? I created the setting from scratch but it does exist.

Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share. The area of Northern California portrayed in my book has many cliffs and rocky shores, where shipwrecks happened in the past. It is rumored in my story that the ghosts of old sea captains roam around, adding more to the sense of mystery and danger.

Please provide your website link. I have a blog titled, Writing By Moonlight. The link is: http://www.writingmoonlight.blogspot.com
My website is currently being re-done.

What is the link to buy your book? http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=89

Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting? If you were to go to Eureka Point, you would see charming inns, historic and old lighthouses, rocky shores and dramatic cliffs. The people that live in the area are laid back and enjoy visiting wineries and great restaurants. This area of Northern California has a very termperate climate with temperatures in the fifties and sixties a good part of the year. If you were to visit Eureka Point you should bring along comfortable shoes and have a jacket handy.

Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it? The title of my book is Eureka Point and it's available at Red Rose Publishing under Mainstream Romance, Suspense.

Thanks for allowing me to share beautiful Eureka Point, California with you.
Betty Ann Harris

Eureka Point, A romantic suspense
e-book now available at Red Rose Publishing:

4 comments:

Jane Beckenham said...

You're right about setting Betty Ann. It gives us so much for our stories, and often a 'leaping off' point for the story creation. I found that when I co-wrote Woman of Valor (Janelle Benham) that my first impressions from so many years ago came flooding back and really gave a great flavour to the story.
Best wishes
Jane Beckenham
www.janebeckenham.com

Amber Leigh Williams said...

Great subject, BA! Setting can make or break a story. My fourth manuscript, for example: I've always wanted to place a story in Brazil. I researched the area and came up with all kinds of creative ideas which I rolled together into the intro to DENIED ORIGIN which will be release from The Wild Rose Press in August!

Think how many books and movies are focused around locales. GONE WITH THE WIND. That story couldn't have existed anywhere but the Old South. FRENCH KISS wouldn't have been the same if not for the setting. YOU'VE GOT MAIL was dedicated to NYC.

I could go on and on but I digress :)

Amber Leigh Williams
www.amberleighwilliams.com
Steamy Romantic Adventure & Suspense
FOX & HOUND, SR Reviews "Outstanding Read"

Nikki Leigh said...

So great that you all are talking about the very reason why I started this blog. In my stories the setting is a very important part of each story and making that setting authentic is very important to me.

I don't like reading a book that has a particular setting and its not right. If the writer isn't going to be true to the setting, then they shouldn't give it the name of a real place :)

I'm glad to see the point of the blog came through. This blog needs more submissions if anyone is interested :)

Nikki Leigh
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm

redesigned said...

I have read Betty Ann's book Eureka Point. The descriptive setting made me imagine I was there, and also made me want to go there someday to see it myself. It was a good read!

Smiles, Christine