Authors when they write about specific locations, do they expect us to be familiar with them?

Question

Like books that are set elsewhere. They mention places with familiarity, but we just have to use our imagination to picturise how it might be there.

Answer 1

well its not necessary to show up a location which is familiar to the people,,,, quite depends upon your plot,,, most of the writers choose not to,,,, coz in their imaginative thinking of the plot of the story, they build up their own set up which suites best for their story, and also it does fantasize the reader , quite like an utopia for some, An Indian Author,,, R.K . Narayan,, invented a whole village, known as Malgudi, for his tales over there, quite as if it was real, and the magic he played with his imaginative setup was a big hit.........

Answer 2

No offense, but the first question is really silly. There are different genre of books being printed every year, and this is because everyone has different tastes in books. You pick a genre that you'd like to write and think you'll be good at and you start writing. For the other two questions, you need to start researching how to write a novel. Buy some how-to books and read some literary journals and writer's magazines, like Writer's Digest. Join some writer communities that does not have an overwhelming teen populace. Since this is your first foray into novel writing then don't even think about publishing, because you'll be putting the cart before the horse. Get a few novels under your belt and learn the skill in the process. Research will take up a lot of your time, as will writing your novel. Don't rush things and don't even think about being published right now, because that's very far off. Write for fun as you learn the skill. Good luck.

Answer 3

You are not expected to know the location. It is the mark of a good author to be able to describe a place well enough that you can get a good mental picture of it, even though you have never been there.

I often write about different places. I usually try to make it a place where I have been. If there is a reason I need to put something in a place I have not visited, then I have to do a lot of research on the place to describe it properly and convincingly. After all, Some of my readers may be people who have lived there all their lives, I must describe the area correctly.

That is why I usually try to use only places I have been -but luckily, I have traveled a bit. I have also created locations that do not really exist, but as I said, it is important that the author describe things well enough that you get a clear mental picture of how it is laid out.

If they do not, it is a reflection on the writer, not a fault or lack on the reader's part.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Usually they are important for reading between the lines. The place often set a tone in the background of costums and beliefs. If a book is set in Georgia say in 1930 , and a romanced bloomed between a young biracial couple . The reader should pick up on the tone of intolerance that is being said, without saying it. Or if a book takes place in Republic of Ireland you should know about the struggle over land and religion, as we know social events shape our lives and the characters in books...The place is very important.

In the Simpsons " Springfeild " was not important to narrow it to a state until recently. Because the plot was meant to be one that all ppl in anytown USA could relate to. Man married a women, women had kids , trying to hold a family together and raise children who are always challenging them. While trying to make the quick buck and not make your wife angry.

take care

Answer 5

Either use your imagination or verify the location in an Atlas if necessary. Some stories have locations of fiction only, which are not based on actual places.

Should an author mention a particular park or street in his story you could verify it in a blow-up map of that town or city. I once wrote a short story using the fictional location of Laredo Junior to make my characters real. I've never been to Laredo, Texas, but used an Atlas to form my new town.

Answer 6

using your imagination to picture things like locations is the reason i love to read more than seeing the movie. describing a location or a room in great detail can be very boring, so it's better to use a more general description, unless of course things around the characters are important to the story,

Answer 7

I don't think they expect everyone to be familiar with them, that is why books are such an imaginative tool. You can imagine what a castle in the 1500's looks like, it is usually better in your imagination anyway!

Answer 8

I guess it would be familiar to people who live in the area but for everyone else, we have to use our imaginations or wait for the movie to come out.

Answer 9

hmm... that can get confusing sometimes, but that depends on the author's descriptive powers. But, you know, that is what i love about reading. It takes your imagination to newer realms. wow.. you have no preconcieved notions about a particular place or person, the world is your oyster.. it is so much better than tv, everything's on a platter. you remember things you read longer.

Answer 10

it all really depends. if a writer is talking about the pentagon, he/she would expect you know what it looks like basically.

however, if they are talking about a certain restaurant or street, then it's entirely up to your imagination. that's kinda the best part.