Is something special about the author's choosing of the setting of story?

Use this forum to discuss the December 2018 Book of the month "The Face of Fear" by RJ Torbert
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Re: Is something special about the author's choosing of the setting of story?

Post by sszb »

Few reasons for this partucal setting.
Author lives near by.
He has a knowledge about the area.
He understands the local problems.
He knows ferry is not safe, so he has highlighted it in his book.
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Post by Ayat paarsa »

FictionLover wrote: 04 Dec 2018, 07:57
Ayat paarsa wrote: 03 Dec 2018, 04:00
FictionLover wrote: 02 Dec 2018, 07:54

Wow! I haven't read the whole book. Are you talking about crimes like kidnapping and murder?
Yes, I am talking about crimes like kidnapping and murder.

So, I just had to look this up. I grew up on Long Island, about 30 minutes from Port Jefferson, and never heard any such thing about it being so dangerous.

According to a few websites, that is not true. One says Port Jefferson is safer than 55% of US cities. I went to 5 sites and they all list Vandalism, Assault and Theft as the most frequent crimes this year. No kidnapping or murder at all.

So, I guess that fiction is fiction.

:occasion-snowman: :occasion-snowman:
Good to listen that you grew up in Long Island and you find it safe. I just shared that reviewer's opinion "I live in Connecticut and don't like to go there because of......" Otherwise anybody can understand that fiction is fiction, and crime is crime too, it can be done anytime, anywhere. :)
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Post by Anon_Reviewer »

The author knows a lot about Port Jefferson, it's quite clear in his writing. What is also clear is his love and respect for the history of the village. At first, I found it interesting. However, it soon started to sound like a tourist guide, which irritated me a bit and slowed the story's pace. So, I think his vast knowledge made it easy for him to place the events of the story.
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Post by M Zee »

Basically the author chose a familiar place for the setting. I don’t think it had any more significance (since there are several places on both coasts that have ferries).

It’s really weird to call that area a high kidnapping/murder area, though.
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Post by Vickie Noel »

It wouldn't b surprising if the author used Port Jefferson as the backdrop for his story since he lived close by; it's a lot easier to construct a story when one has sufficient background information. Nothing trumps "close to home."
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Post by daydreaming reader »

The 'About the Author' section in the book says he lives not far from where the story is set, so perhaps it is for convenience.
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Post by Katherine Smith »

I think that the old adage of write what you know applies here. I think that the author chose Port Jefferson because he lived there and could easily put the setting into his story. If the author had the worry about researching the setting and creating an entire plot would have been more difficult to pull off.
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Post by sarahmarlowe »

I think the author made a good decision by choosing a setting he is familiar with. He could picture the actions and effects of his plot and possibly use his knowledge to lead him to the next step.
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Post by Amy+++ »

I feel that it is both. The author knows the area well and is able to bring it to life through their writing, taking us all somewhere that we have never been.
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Post by Nusrat_Shabnam_ »

Bianka Walter wrote: 02 Dec 2018, 01:46
Sushan wrote: 01 Dec 2018, 20:28 The author has chosen the village of Port Jefferson, Long Island as the setting for his story. Considering the plot, do you think that there is a particular reason for the author to do so or is it merely due to his knowledge about the area?
Well, the author lives close to Port Jefferson, so I would assume that's why.
I agree with you too. He lives somewhere there, so he knows about that area. I guess that's why he used that area.
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Post by chelhack »

It may be a little of both. He may just know the area really well yet everything that he wrote about within the story fit the stories contents.
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Post by Kibet Hillary »

There must be a reason for the setting. It is hard for one to wake up one day and decide to base his/her work elsewhere. However, it is equally true that his knowledge of the area informed his choice too.
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Post by Kibet Hillary »

chelhack wrote: 11 Dec 2018, 02:24 It may be a little of both. He may just know the area really well yet everything that he wrote about within the story fit the stories contents.
This is true. I am of the same opinion too that the reasons behind his choice are both for a reason and also his knowledge.
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Post by OloladeO »

I really can't tell if it is something special because I have no idea how Port Jefferson is.
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Post by Princess Clara »

Choosing an island as the place of setting the story was more adventurous. It provided a perfect place for building the story.
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