 Several years ago, after A WOMAN’S HEART , which would turn out to be the first book in my Irish trilogy, came out, my son called me from a hotel in Florida. He’d just finished it, and having spent some time traveling around Ireland on his way to and from college at Oxford, he’d recognized many of the locations and thought I’d captured the scenery well. Since I’m one of those writers who believes in setting as character, I was pleased he enjoyed that part of the book.
Then he asked me how I’d nailed the Irish brogue so well. Had I, he wondered, recorded conversations during my trips to Ireland? Well, I hadn’t and his question surprised me because dialogue is one of those things I never really give a great deal of thought to. I just mostly write down the voices I’m hearing in my head. (Which is a lot cheaper than a psychiatrist and less emotionally exhausting than an exorcist. :lol:)
After I thought about it a bit, I remembered being sent to speech therapy in the second grade because no one in Southern Oregon ranching country could understand the West Irish brogue I’d picked up from my grandfather and mother. (Actually, my mother’s accent had a decided Brooklyn flair, which, when she got excited, made her even more incomprehensible.) I brought this up with my editor who said, “Well, that explains it, JoAnn. It’s your first language.” I’d never considered that before, but I thought then, and still believe, that she was right. It also may explain how, to this day, whenever I get really tired or irritated, my syntax suddenly turns Irish on me. You’ve no idea how many newly married arguments ended when I’d be trying to yell at my husband for something he’d done and he’d start laughing and say, “What the hell did you just say?”
I enjoy writing the Irish books because I know those people. They’re my family, and Brady, my heroine’s storyteller father in A WOMAN’S HEART is pretty much my own Granda McLaughlin, including the part about him kidnapping the woman he loved (my grandmother, with her permission) so her wealthier Irish family would be forced to let them get married. I feel as if I’ve come home whenever my plane lands at Shannon airport, so it’s a natural thing to place books there.
About eight years ago, we were about to buy a house in Dungarven, on the Southern coast of Ireland, when we discovered the government was actually serious about their six month pet quarantine. Since boarding my then ancient dog and equally ancient and very insane Siamese kitty wasn’t an option, the deal fell through, and looking for a new home, I landed here in East TN, which is the greenest place I could find in America. It reminds me a great deal of Ireland (except it has trees), which probably makes sense because the same mountains I receive inspiration from every day are, in fact, connected beneath the Atlantic to Ireland. It wasn’t until I moved to the South that I began to hear all the expressions I grew up with; family sayings that no one else I knew out west ever used. This is partly why, I suppose, I also feel equally comfortable putting books in the South.
So why is IMPULSE, my upcoming book, set in Wyoming? Well, because when Katrina hit the Gulf, I working on a book set in New Orleans featuring – oops – a killer hurricane, crooked cops, corrupt politicians, the mob, and a battle between good and bad voodoo. Not knowing at the time if the city would even be livable on the book’s May 23rd publication date, I came up with a new story set in Wyoming featuring a haunted hero, a hunted heroine, and a serial killer who thinks of himself as the “Man who was once the boy raised by wolves.” Check out the killer video trailer at my website, http://www.joannross.com (and boy, I wished I could remember how to put a link here for you), and be sure to turn up your sound to get the full chilling effect! From a Southern hurricane to a Wyoming blizzard may seem like a bit of a leap, but having grown up in ranching country, I know Wyoming, and was able to make the shift.
But the one thing I’ve never been able to do is write about a place where I haven’t spent a great deal of time. Sure, the Internet offers myriad research opportunities, but I’ve always found that the people make a place. And given that my characters always come before my plots, I need to have a real handle on what makes them tick. And not just their day-to-day lives, but the entire history and backstory of their “people,” as we say down here.
I’ve just returned from a week aboard an Authors at Sea cruise along the “Mexican Riviera” and listened to people planning stories they wanted to put in the cities – Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas – we visited. But while I enjoyed the opportunity to cruise with readers and writer pals, everything was too new to me, and our time too short, to even tempt my muses.
So, do y’all have a favorite setting for books? Ones where the stories and characters speak to something deep inside you and make you feel as if you’ve been transported there? Maybe even lived there in another life? Or are you more a reading gypsy, happy to go wherever a writer’s muse takes you, discovering new and exciting places?
Hmmm. I’d truly planned for this to be much shorter. However, as we all know, neither the Irish nor Southerners are known for their brevity.  So, to reward y’all who are still reading, I’m giving away books, plus IMPULSE covers and bookmarks to five people who respond. Names will be chosen at random and you’ll have a choice of either BLAZE , my 2005 romantic suspense novel (which — yay! — I just learned is a finalist in the National Readers’ Choice Awards), or an advanced reading copy of BAD BOYS SOUTHERN STYLE (on sale July 1), featuring my sexy novella, Love Potion #9 .
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Hi, Welcome back.
Books that I have read that have taken place in Seattle, Louisiana, and other southern cities have been really enjoyable - between the accents and expressions of the South and the descriptions of Seattle, the authors have really brought me into feeling that I am right there. (mentioning mint juleps, sweetened tea and those cajuns phrases - I could just heart the accents). Also any books taking place on a ranch or I have even read a few books taking place on Long Island where I live - it is fun to hear towns or things that are part of my locale.
Looking forward to BB Southern Style - what a great prize. Just realized what I touted and what you are giving away. LOL.
by Pat
on April 19th, 2006 at 7:47 am
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Hi, JoAnn. I would have to say that my favorite places for a story to take place don’t exist in this dimension. I love tales of myth and legend in places like Avalon, Camelot, Atlantis, the realm of faerie, or any other realm the author can create from their imagination.
Have a great day,
Cathy
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Hi Joann,
my favorite settings change a lot. The last special setting that I had was Australia and I searched my whole tbr pile for books. I think it some kind of a mood thing
by Danny
on April 19th, 2006 at 8:20 am
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I really don’t have any particular favorite place for a story to take place. The stories can take place in a real world or in some other dimension -I love to read them either way!
by Minna
on April 19th, 2006 at 8:24 am
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JoAnn,
Being from Alabama, I love books set in the South. I have Irish heritage too, and enjoy books set in Ireland and Scotland as well. That being said, if it is a good story, I’m there. Sometimes I want to read about places that are familiar and close to my heart. Other times, I want to travel to a place or time that is foreign and new to me. So although I have favorite settings, I suppose I am still more of a reading gypsy. As far as brevity is concerned, I think you were quite concise and to the point. Of course, I am a Southerner with Irish heritage and thought War and Peace to be a little condensed :lol:. My opinion may not count lol. By the way, I love the trailer for Impulse!
by Zara
on April 19th, 2006 at 9:00 am
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I particularly enjoy books set in New Orleans, it just has a certain mystique and charm in my mind though I have never visited. However, the settings are just part of the fun of a book for me, it is the story that draws me in. I love all kinds of settings and willingly follow where my Pied Piper leads.
by little lamb lost
on April 19th, 2006 at 9:34 am
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Hello JoAnn,
Being from the South as well, I do tend to gravitate towards books set in the South. Several of the books I’ve read have been set in Charleston, SC which is a favorite setting for me. Setting for me is very important and when an author can transport you to a unique place where you can walk the streets with the locals, learn the customs, and smell the food, that’s even better.
Some of my other favorite settings include New Orleans, Wyoming, and Australia.
If it’s a place I want to visit after reading the book, then the author has done a good job!
by Sandra M.
on April 19th, 2006 at 9:36 am
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My favorite setting for a book is New Orleans or Florida. I love stories that are set in New Orleans.
by Amy S.
on April 19th, 2006 at 9:42 am
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I suppose I’m a reading gypsy, JoAnn. I love Irish stories, tales of the Scots. Stories of the South. Oh, and the Pacific Northwest. City tales. Small town tales. Ranching stories. Did I mention stories set in Australia, Greece? I love Alaskan tales and Western stories. I love tales set out of time and tales of other worlds. If the story is compelling and the setting is strong, I’m there. That being said, I hear the siren call of the Irish and Scots, which is not to say it’s all about the local. Plunk ‘em down anywhere. It’s the culture. It feels like home.
by helenb.
on April 19th, 2006 at 9:48 am
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i love books set in hawaii, it is just so beautiful there. italy is nice also, all the wine yards and i am fond of california too.
by KIM H
on April 19th, 2006 at 10:34 am
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I greatly admire authors who can make a setting come alive for the reader, especially if they have intimate knowledge of the area. Other than adding to the realism of the story and characters, it has the added benefit of bringing me to places I may never have a chance to visit. I have a partiality for settings rich in nature, beauty and energy.
by Jenny
on April 19th, 2006 at 10:43 am
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I’m a gypsy! lol I leave it up to the authors to pick the setting that is right for their story. I learn a lot about new places and different times that way,too!
by Carol
on April 19th, 2006 at 11:22 am
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I am a reading gypsy. I don’t really have a favorite setting. I like reading about many different places. Books allow me to visit places I have never been or places I am familiar with. I read to escape and it is nice to be able to visit many different locations when I read. I like variety.
by Jennifer Y.
on April 19th, 2006 at 12:04 pm
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I don’t have a particular favorite, but it’s always cool to read a book set in a place I’ve been. I remember reading Lola Carlyle Reveals All right after I got back from from Nassau on my honeymoon, and thinking Wow, I’ve actually been there!
But since I haven’t been lucky enough to travel much, I enjoy exotic settings quite a bit.
by Samantha
on April 19th, 2006 at 12:13 pm
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I too fancy the settings being the the south, love the warmth that is portrayed.
Dont care for myths, etc.
by Karen
on April 19th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
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I am happy to go where the author takes me. It’s like going on vacation without spending money if only for a few hours. I think it is wonderful to hear about new places, like Ireland, that I will probably not be able to ever see in real life unless I win the lottery.
by Karen G
on April 19th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
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I enjoy visiting a whole variety of places and people in the books I read. It is a pleasure to read a book that can make you see the setting of the book. I agree with you that it is always the people that make a place special.
by Maureen
on April 19th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
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Many different locations is my preference; this way I get to read about places that perhaps I will never get to visit but can visit in my mind.
by Robyn
on April 19th, 2006 at 1:45 pm
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I am a reading gypsy too. I love to escape into the world the reader creates. 
by Crystal B.
on April 19th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
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Hi JoAnn
As a reader,I’ll go anywhere. I am drawn to the Irish and Scots, perhaps because that voice is familial but you could write a book set in Alaska and I would read it. I think the author’s comfort with a setting makes all the difference. I would love to set a book in an exotic location but unless I was familiar with it, I would be worried about those letters, you know the ones I mean, from readers outraged that the bandshell from the center of town was moved to the water’s edge for my own purpose. Fictional settings do away with that concern. But it’s nice to be able to sprinkle local flavour in as well. When I was in Boston a couple of weeks ago, a lot of landmarks were recognizable from books I’d read. I liked that a lot.
I can’t wait for Impulse. That video trailer is creepy as all get out.
Sheryl
by Sheryl
on April 19th, 2006 at 2:49 pm
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I am a reading gypsy usually but I do have to admit to a weakness for books set in the bayous of Louisiana. Just something about a sexy guy with a cajun accent that just gets to me.
by Cherie Japp
on April 19th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
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I am not too fussy where the story takes place as long as the characters are strong and the storyline good.
by Helen Mac
on April 19th, 2006 at 4:19 pm
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I don’t have particular favorite settings. A great story line and characters with great chemistry can over come any setting. I like both small/large towns, country/city settings, and mountains/lakes/rivers, and any and all rugged outback places.:smile: And anywhere in the world!
by Kathleen
on April 19th, 2006 at 5:11 pm
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I like to read books that are set in a small towns. I think the characters can be more dynamically connected(since most likely they all grew up w/ each other and every one knows everyone). I grew up in the country of a large major city and reading about a small town takes me away from all the hustle and bustle:smile::smile:
by Maureen E
on April 19th, 2006 at 5:14 pm
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I love to read ALL books…I am not picky at all. Either set in the US, Canada, England, Scotland, ect. I have a great time escaping into a romance or mystery.
by Patrica
on April 19th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
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Being half irish I am partial to irish stories and especially love an irish brogue. Loved your trailer!
by Joyce
on April 19th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
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ooh, I want to read Impulse. What a neat video! blazing hot…my kind of story.
I don’t really have a favorite setting. I like to read books that take place in areas that I have visited to see if I recognize something. I also like to read about new places. When it’s winter where I live, I like to read a story that takes place in a warm topical setting. I also like to read stories that have a hero that speaks with an accent. Yummy! It seems to make him so much more attactive for some reason. haha! As long as the story is good, it really could take place anywhere and I’ll be happy.
by KimW
on April 19th, 2006 at 6:00 pm
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I forgot to say, congratulations to you on Blaze being a finalist in the National Reader’s Choice Awards. I loved that story!
by KimW
on April 19th, 2006 at 6:03 pm
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My kudos to you too on being a finalist with Blaze.
I too am not too fussy about the locale, dont like too much of an accent that it overtakes the story; I read a story once where just about every other word was a Scottish phrase and another where book was loaded with cajun expressions.
More important to me are believable characters and a good story.
by Helen L.
on April 19th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
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:smile:Hi Joann,
I am pretty easy; as long as the story is good any locale will do it for me. I agree with Helen, too much attention to locale or the specific language, etc. of an area can take away from a story.
by Maria T.
on April 19th, 2006 at 8:53 pm
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Congrats on being a finalist. I have Blaze in my tbr pile. And very much awaiting BB Southern Style. Keeping my fingers crossed that I will win a copy.:smile: Thanks so much for offering it.
I agree with mosf here that I am not picky regarding where the story takes place.
by Joanne V.
on April 19th, 2006 at 10:26 pm
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Hey, JoAnn!
As a reader, no setting is off-limits to me — I love ‘em all. I do find, though, that sometimes I go through “moods” — say, I’m in a New Orleans mood, so I’ll dig out all the books I can find set there, before moving on to another locale.
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Another southerner here who loves books set in the south. But a well-written story set anywhere will capture my attention.
Congrats on your NRCA final!
by Marilyn
on April 19th, 2006 at 11:37 pm
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I like books from all over the world! I like the author to transport me to different cities, expose me to different cultures from various countries. Many of us aren’t able to afford trips out of state or out of the country. This is an exciting way to experience it through the author’s vision/view!
by Laurie G
on April 20th, 2006 at 5:28 am
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Hi love books in a lot of different settings, and I like when I can feel it alive in the book, when it isn`t just the name of a place that can easily be change for other and you wouldn’t notice it. I also have to confess that I have a soft spot for romances set in Egypt and India. I find those settings so captivating and there are very few romances with them.
by Julia
on April 20th, 2006 at 7:29 am
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Congratulations on Blaze being a finalist in the National Reader’s Choice Awards! I’m a big romantic suspense fan and I can’t wait to read it!
by Carol
on April 20th, 2006 at 9:28 am
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Zara — LOL about you not being a good judge of brevity. You mean not EVERYONE gets into lengthy conversations with total strangers in the checkout line?
Well, it seems that even those with favorite locations enjoy going somewhere new. (Loved that pied piper image!) I definitely agree with those who find that an overuse of an accent can diminish the reading pleasure and suspect a lot of that comes from writers who perhaps aren’t that familiar with their location.
The mention of Australia and those who said they like to read about places they might never get to visit reminded me of how, when I was first reading a gazillion romances trying to figure out how to write them, I read seemingly hundreds of Australian HQ romances and Presents and still plan to get to a sheep station one of these years! So I understand that entirely.
To Sandra M, who mentioned Charleston, that’s one of my favorite cities, as well, though I’m also quite partial to Savannah, which is why I created Somersett, S.C., which combines the charms of both. I do, btw, have some scrumptious recipes from restaurants in those cities, as well as ones from New Orleans on my website. I’ve tried to stick to recipes people can actually make at home. ( And ones I’ve tried myself, though I admittedly haven’t kitchen-tested the Wyoming ones we recently put up.)
I also enjoy putting books in small towns (as I did with Blue Bayou in my Callahan Brothers trilogy, which also appeared in Bayou Bad Boys), but that gets more difficult in romantic suspense, since after all, how many serial killers can one small town actually support? 
For those who enjoy books in New Orleans, I’m back to working on that formerly shelved book — minus the hurricane — which is now titled FALLEN and will be out in February or March of next year. The excerpt will be in the back of IMPULSE. (It was also in the back of Bayou Bad Boys, but it was still titled IMPULSE when BBB came out, if that makes any sense.)
Of course there’s tons more to say, but I’ve got grandbabies hovering outside my office door as I type, waiting for me to come play Hot Wheels and Barbies, so I need to wrap up by thanking everyone for the nice comments about Blaze making the NRCA finals, and for checking out the Impulse video. Y’all might want to check back to the site on May 15th, when a hot, hot, hot (!!) video for Bad Boys Southern Style goes up.
Now, the winners, drawn at random from a Baskin Robbins take-out bag by those very same impatient grandbabies — who  belatedly reminded their grandpa that sugar makes them hyper — are: Carol (the gypsy who leaves it to the authors to pick the setting), KimW, Minna, little lamb lost, and Katedavies. If you’ll email me your post office mailing address and your choice of BLAZE or the ARC for BAD BOYS SOUTHERN STYLE, we’ll get your book and other goodies off to you next week, once those hopefully soon-to-be calmed down babies return to their D.C. home.
by JoAnn Ross
on April 20th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
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Wow, thank you! I’m so thrilled!
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Congrats ladies. You are so lucky. Enjoy.
by Pat
on April 20th, 2006 at 6:14 pm
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darn it. wtg ladies
by KIM H
on April 20th, 2006 at 6:23 pm
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Yay! Thank you, JoAnn!
Thanks everyone for the congrats.
by KimW
on April 20th, 2006 at 10:10 pm
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Big congrats to the winners!
by Danny
on April 21st, 2006 at 6:35 am
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I’m a gypsy whose heart resides in Ireland. I love anything Irish, which is how I discovered your books. But I also love to learn about new places, so I’ll read books set just about anywhere. When I write, I tend to set mine in Texas because it’s what I know.
Pam
by Pam P
on April 21st, 2006 at 8:11 am
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WTG Ladies
I like books that are written everywhere too, but there are few favorite places I like more; Scotland,Ireland,Australia, England, the pacific northwest.
by Dena
on April 21st, 2006 at 10:45 am
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Thank you JoAnn and everyone! I just saw that I won. My computer crashed and I just got it back today!
by Carol
on May 1st, 2006 at 12:50 pm
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