Escaping The Heat

As I round third base and head for home on this latest manuscript, I am starting to look back and layer in some more details designed to capture the feeling of the settings. Feedback on some of my earlier works has taught me that I have a tendency to focus on the dialogue or plot, and I need to be better about grounding my characters in the world that surrounds them.

Cue research.

To create more realistic settings, I have been spending more time on real estate and vacation rental websites, which if I'm honest isn't a hardship. If I'm not careful, I can get a severe case of wanderlust and spiral into daydreaming.

On a related note, I recently purchased Scrivener, a word processor designed for writing manuscripts, and the setting sketch feature has been helping me be more mindful about integrating sensory details into my scenes. Being able to open one chapter and have a setting or character sketch in the split screen mode has helped me become more intentional about what the characters are doing and where they are. Referencing the same sights, smells, and sounds can paint a more precise picture for the readers and can create a more immersive experience.

This latest story takes place on a small island off the coast of New England. It is a bit of a hybrid between Tuckernuck and Nantucket, with some Martha's Vineyard thrown in for good measure. I love these settings and have amassed a healthy collection of backgrounds inspired by vacation rentals. Long, hot summer days when I cling to air-conditioned spaces make these vacation rentals even more tempting to look at, so I figured I would share them with you.

I have to say I don't get anything from these rentals as this is not a sponsored post or paid partnership. This list is merely a collection of places I've found that I could see myself and my characters visiting one day. If you would like to see more photos of each of these places, click on the button above the images with the description. That link will take to you to the booking site with reviews and extra photos.

Let the daydreaming begin!