The first time I ever visited Washington DC was in November, 2008. Immediately, I fell in love with it and less than a year later, moved from Northern New Jersey to Maryland (in a town close to DC). Before I moved, I read Sammy's Hill and Sammy's House, both by Kristin Gore. They gave off a great feel for the District and got me even more excited about moving out that way soon. Almost a year after I moved, I read The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen, which also took place in this area allowing me to fall in love with it all over again. A few years later, I was introduced to Becoming Mrs. Walsh by Jessica Gordon (reviewed here). I was thrilled that it took place in DC and that it showed a different aspect of the District that I didn't have much access to. It was also a great story that I still hope will have a sequel someday. Around that same time, I got to interview Jessica Gordon and enjoyed learning more about her. Today, she's back, thanks to Chick Lit Plus. This time, she's sharing about why she set her debut novel in the District. Additionally, Chick Lit Plus has a $25 SpaFinder gift card for a lucky reader in the US or Canada.
Read an excerpt from Becoming Mrs. Walsh.
Visit Jessica at her website, Facebook and Twitter.
Chick lit in the District!
I decided to set Becoming Mrs. Walsh in Washington, DC, also known as the District, for a few reasons. The first reason, admittedly mundane, but nonetheless important, I live here. I think being a district resident is important to having a good understanding of life here. When authors set stories in their hometown I get a sense of excitement trying to piece together the author's life. Often times you will find a book set in Boston (or another city) and see that the author and her husband and three cats live in that same city. It is fun to see authors writing about places they know because it is a level of understanding that isn't the same as researching it. Sure, through meticulous research you can certainly set a place elsewhere but something about living and breathing in the town even if you visited there it helps make the story come alive.
I also like the paradox of DC and chick lit. Often chick lit books are set in New York. However, DC has an underestimated but vibrant fashion, culinary, and social scene. The Walsh family's socialite status gives readers an all access pass into the glamorous lives of DC's elite. Many television shows and books center on the 'political' aspects of the city or one finds suspense-induced spy novels set here but you rarely get good chick lit using DC as a backdrop. And because of this I wanted the book to be in DC. I like that the book spans the city and its suburbs (and some other surprise places) because the way the book is written you get a sense of the relationship of DC and its nearby towns.
Having a novel set in DC allows the reader a look into a city primarily known for one famous address, but to see another side of it, with actual people such as Shoshana with a non-political job, family, and life; it introduces the reader to another side of the city. I like that Shoshana is from Iowa and it is her take on the city. Many residents here are from somewhere else, making DC very unique. And the people here are from all over, not just east coast, in fact most people I know are from somewhere other than the northeast or mid-Atlantic.
Thanks to Jessica for visiting with us again and to Chick Lit Plus for sharing a SpaFinder gift card with our readers.
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20 comments:
I would think Santa Monica would be a great city for the book
I would think Santa Monica would be a great city for the book.
I read Finding Mrs. Walsh and agree it could definately use a sequel!
This Sounds like a great read
thanks for the showcase and for the contest
I would consider Des Moines a "moderate sized city" but I'm still going to answer for it.
In DSM visitors must check out the Iowa State Fair in August. Great food, great people watching ...
I live around the corner from Mount Vernon, so my obvious answer would be Mount Vernon!
I live in Mt. Pleasant so Charleston is the closest city to me. The main character would definitely have to check out The Battery. So cute!
The Empire State Building
The nearest big city to me is San Francisco. I'd recommend any visitor to check out Chinatown.
I live in the big city of Fort Myers Florida and I would say the main character would need to visit the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford side by side summer homes including the laboratory of Edison and his museum. It's fascinating!
the nearest big city would be Louisville, KY; go to Churchill Downs for KY Derby. or a little further would be Nashville, TN; go to Grand Ole Opry.
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the Washington Monument
The San Diego Zoo would be a good place to visit or the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park.
Disneyland
The Boston Public Gardens
I think a must see pace would be Reunion Tower. The big ball in the sky building in the Dallas skyline. It has an observation deck and restaurant that turns as you eat to overlook the view of the city. It's a really cool place. I was lucky enough to have gone when I was in my 20s.
http://www.reuniontower.com/
This one is a tough one because there are so many fantastic places in Manhattan. If I had to make a choice, I would say either Gray's Papaya or Washington Square Park because those are two of my favorite spots to people watch and get really good, cheap food.
Well, I live in Flint, MI and it is a big city, but not a lot to do around here. I guess I would have to say the Planetarium or the Flint Institute of Art. I would tell her to go to Auburn Hills where there are many exciting and upscale places to visit.
I would have to say Auburn Hills in Michigan would be the best.
The St a Louis Arch and one if the pubs on the Landing.
The Nevada Museum of Art in Reno NV
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