So I had a rough idea of what I wanted my next story to be about. The only thing was - this medical had a little twist. And this twist required the story to have an American setting. So, since I don't live in America, how was I going to pick a setting?
Then it appeared, via Murder She Wrote. Shown at present every afternoon on British TV. Cabot Cove. Perfect.
Then I discovered that the Cabot Cove set at Universal Pictures was also where they filmed Jaws and that kind of put me off. Then I made another discovery - although Cabot Cove was set in Maine, some of the outside settings were actually filmed in Mendocino, California. So that made me think a little harder and do a little research.
And here's what I found
Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous!! And just perfect for my setting. So I did a little more research and found out about the nearby medical facilities, what was available, what would fit with my story. I found out about the surrounding area and the beautiful nearby housing stock.
so I'm loving it. Perfect. My characters have the perfect setting for falling in love. And now I find out about the local industry so I know what kind of accidents can happen that my characters can deal with! Then it happens - I find out about the Pelicans.
The pelicans that are native to Mendocino valley. And now I have my name for my fictional setting PELICAN COVE.
Now, just be glad I didn't want to tell you about the research I did for The Venetian Doctor, all set on a cruise ship!
So how do you pick your setting for your story?
