Created by and with thanks to That Artsy Reader! This week’s theme is exploring much-loved book settings–but I’ve already done a take on that, here, so I thought I’d shake it up. Instead of book settings I’d love to visit, I’m thinking about settings I loved so much, I decided to set a book there!
[For clarity, these books are WIPs–but in case you’re interested, I went into researching them in further detail recently, here!]
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1. Gower, Wales
WIP: an angsty, second-chance romance duology
I needed some moody woods my teenage sweethearts could run from the world into… And I found an absolute paradise in these woods in Gower.

2. Rhossili, Wales
WIP: see above
As mentioned in my writing research post, I followed a Rhossili cliff edge out to the edge of the world, with my characters in my shadow.

3. Oxford, England
WIP: a buddy romcom about two platonic soulmates who make a terrible, drunken decision to road trip stalk their high school exes
Also as I mentioned in my writing research post, I took dignified, beautiful Oxford, and painted it red with my loveable screw-ups. Sorry, Oxford. (But not really.)

4. London, England
WIP: see above
True story: I went to London for the first time when I was fifteen, and I fell in love so hard, I swore I’d move there the second I was an adult. Life happened, and London life didn’t–so I gave those dreams to my characters, so they could live it instead.

5. Stonehenge, England
WIP: YA high fantasy about witches who control the elements, and the fae they’re at war with
I took one look at witchy, mysterious Stonehenge, and decided it had to be the entrance to some magical world or another. And then I visited, and saw a marking in one of the stone pillars that *actually* looked like a silhouette of a person entering the rocks. Tell me I’m wrong…
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How important is the setting of a story to you?
Wow, you have a lot of WIPs. Good luck with them. 🙂
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-set-in-a-place-id-love-to-visit/
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It certainly feels that way, haha! Thank you 🙂
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Love your twist on the topic! Wales would be so cool to visit, honestly. And good luck with the WIPs!
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
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Thank you! I fell in love with it–I’m desperate to live there some day.
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This is a great twist on the topic! I would love to visit Stonehenge. When I saw your picture, my first thought was that it was a door, so I completely agree with your assessment. 😉
My TTT: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2022/08/02/top-ten-tuesday-books-set-in-a-place-id-love-to-visit/
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Hahaha I’m so glad you saw it, too! It still blows my mind. I half expect that if I ever went there again, I wouldn’t find it!
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That makes sense! And just makes it all the more likely that it *was* a fairy door. 😉
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Right?! No way something supernatural wasn’t sneaking through there!
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Ah such a cool twist on this topic! One of my WIPs is a purely fantastical setting, but the other one has real world settings and I’ve definitely used some of my favourite cities in it: Paris, Edinburgh and London and hopefully a few more before I finish it.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2022/08/02/top-ten-tuesday-379/
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Thank you!! Have you visited the places you’ve based your WIPs in since you started writing them? It’s such a magical feeling!
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I’ve not been to Paris, but I have been to both Edinburgh and London (well I now live in London!).
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At least you’ve got some good sentimental memories from some of them, then!
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Definitely!
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What a wonderful twist on the topic! I love this! Best of luck to you in your writing!
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Thank you so much!
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I love your take on the list this week! Good luck on all your WIPs!
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Thank you so much! 🙂
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Love this take! These places look so gorgeous. I totally believe you about Stonehenge! 🙂
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Thank you! There’s just no way there’s not something supernatural crossing through it, haha!
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Totally agree!!
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I visited England and Wales for the first time last year. Wales was especially enjoyable for me since I have a lot of Welsh ancestry. Plus, it’s beautiful. That Stonehenge picture is crazy! When we were there, it was pouring down rain and freezing cold, so it was actually kind of a miserable experience. I need to go back when the weather is more pleasant.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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I’m so glad you enjoyed your visit! Everything in sight in Wales seems beautiful and just made me really want to move there. I still can’t get over the Stonehenge picture! It was SO windy when we went, but I like to think all our elemental wildness experiences are signs of the magic, haha.
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(P.S.–I tried to comment on your TTT, but I’m not sure it went through! Just in case, this is what I was saying. 🙂
I’ve heard so many wonderful things about Scotland. I’m so glad you fell in love with it, and hope you get to go back soon!
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Great twist on the topic. It sounds like you love the UK. 😀
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Hahaha–more like I’m just not that wide a traveller!
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