Congratulations to Kristi (comment 3) whose name I randomly drew using Random.org. Kristi, send me your mailing address and your choice of books to ak @ alisonkent.com.
Small town contemporary romances are all the rage. I’m not sure if we have Robyn Carr to thank for that, with her Virgin River series, or Susan Wiggs, with her Lakeshore Chronicles, or Debbie Macomber, with Blossom Street and Cedar Cove. Maybe Jan Karon started it all with Mitford.
Or maybe readers are responsible, ready for quiet streets without otherworldly creatures lurking in alleyways, allowing for Emilie Richards‘ Happiness Key, and Toni Blake’s Destiny, and Carly Phillips’ Serendipity, and JoAnn Ross’ Shelter Bay.
Though my gIRL-gEAR series was set in Houston, I think the group of books had a similar close-knit community feel because the characters were great friends and shared the goings-on in their lives. There were in-jokes and inside references, but nothing to put off a reader who hadn’t read the whole series. To readers who had, those easter eggs were great fun as they added another layer of involvement.
I have three small town ideas in the works. One I’ve set aside and will eventually turn into a single book that’s more women’s fiction than romance. Another is an erotic romance series that I haven’t decided what to do with. Both of those towns have names. The third I’m actively working on now does not.
This is where you, dear readers, come in. I’d love to hear your suggestions. The series will involve carpentry and crafts, cooking and caves and country music. There will be dogs and merino sheep and big Victorian houses. The setting is the Texas Hill Country. Think New Braunfels and the Guadalupe River and Austin and Gruene.
So put your brains to work and see what you can come up with. There’s no guarantee I will use what is offered, but I will mention you in the acknowledgments of the book I’m working on now if I do. (Notice how I assume this will sell, heh.)
And to make this more fun, I’ll give away to a random commenter his/her choice of 3 of my backlist books (subject to availability). I’ll choose the winner on Monday, July 5, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. CDT. (Feel free to share the link to this post. I’d love lots and lots of suggestions!)
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We pass an exit on our trips from St. Louis to Kansas City that is Knob Noster. It’s in the middle of nowhere! We laugh every time we go by!
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The town I grew up was called Running Springs, so I will throw that one out there. Some others are; Pine Springs, Cedar Springs, Cedar Grove, Fallbrook, Magnolia Creek, Lone Star Springs. Im sure I can think of more, but theres a few to start.
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When I think Texas I automatically think of Spanish names. I have no idea if any of these are actual town names.
Symbolic:
Cielo (Heaven)
Sombra (shadow)
Justo (just, fair)
Scenic:
Boca del Diablo (Devil’s mouth)
Sierra Nublado (cloudy mountain)
Completely Random:
Cucaracha (the cockroach)
Calabaza (means pumpkin, fun to say…)
The small town in Indiana where I grew up, translated:
Pescadores (Fishers)
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I grew up in a town named Spring Valley… what about Dusty Creek or Goodale… hmmm will try to think of more!
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Hmmmm….How about Maple Drive? Not where I love or anything, just a random name :-)
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I grew up in a small town named McKenzie. However, one of my favorite towns I have to drive by to get back to my hometown is Bucksnort.
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When we lived in MO, hubby was stationed at Whiteman AFB which is in Knob Noster. It took a while to get used to the name too. In fact my two youngest were born there.:-)
And while I know you can’t use ‘em…in east Texas we have a Deadwood and Fairplay.:-)
One thing I do is look up terminology that is related to the story…for example cave terms would get some cool names. FWIW…
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Small town names… Little Neck Falls, Grampton, Evergreen, Rain, Golden Hill, or Colton Hills…I could go on forever! LOL! Good luck picking a name. :)
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i lived in a town of 100 and it was called Bainville, MT. The other is Chipperville, OK. It’s not a town really, but I love the name.
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I love the Texas hill country. I always thought Comfort, Texas would be a great setting for a series of stories, even though it actually exists. So, that would be my first suggestion. Then, drawing on some of the names in the area but reworking them:
Comfort
Marble Lake
Canyon Falls
Lookback
Sabine Springs
Burning Springs
Hope you come up with a good one (not that I have any doubts!). :D
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Shepherds Hollow
Shearling Canyon
Tanglebluff
Ranch Rock
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Let’s see…
Tazewell
Buena Vista
Shiloh
Blue Springs
Chipley
Geneva
Locust Grove
Talbotton
Durand
Just to name a few!
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Broken Wheel
Arrowpointe
Hidden Lake (in a cave?)/Hidden Waters
Dark Waters
And my personal fave: Spelunk, Texas. :) Think of the corny bar & restaurant names and there’s a chili cook-off, right? And the merchandise! LOL. (Add a Texas twang and you’ll be in Spee-lunkin’, Texas.) :)
Good luck!
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Lots of great names so far!
Mine:
Bellwood Slope
Redbrick Caverns
Saffron Valley
Basswood Sage
Cadillac Falls
Iron Fringe
Mossy Rock
Dogleg Pass
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Oh this is something I can really get into… I had to stop myself (the dj side of me is loving this, though mine might sound more like subdivision names =)
Greenwood
Greenville
Mortville
Franklinton
Franklin Falls
Prairie Grove
Pineville
Oakley
Drewsbury
Hamilton Hills
Harts Grove
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Hmm, town names….
Cedar Springs
Oakdale
Tumbleweed
Cactus Falls
Dry Gulch
Rocking Horse
Sagebrush
Appaloosa
Dudley’s Cove
Oasis
Pearl River
Cherokee
Apache
Harmony
Purgatory
Green Hills
Sonoma
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Oh, no – I posted several and message didnt print – let’s try this one.
Sonoma
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Appaloosa
Greenwood Falls
Cactus Falls
Dry Gulch
Cherokee
Apache
Harmony
Briarwood Patch
Siesta
Purgatory
Red River
Oasis
Tumblewood
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Cottonweed Springs
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Burlington Flats, Fly Creek, Sherburne
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I grew up near a place called True Blue.
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Well, if you’re talking NB area, there’s more German heritage there, so let’s see, I’ll offer
New Garten or Neu Garten
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Jamboree Junction
Jubilee Junction
Festival Haven
Exhibition Ridge
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fixer town
carpertville
blue rigde town
handyville
hammertown
phillips ranch
phillipstown
needlepoint
tool town
good luck
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Trying again, my posts don’t seem to be showing up from the other day for some reason. Happy Fourth!
Jamboree Junction
Jubilee Junction
Festival Haven
Exhibition Ridge
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Blackgold County
Shepard’s Valley
Dodge City
River Hills
Holy Hill
TrimRock
Copper Hills
Hilltop County
Door County
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Bluebonnet Springs
Mountain Shadows
Little Hills
Big Valley
Oak Creek
Crossings
Larkspur Valley
Texas Rose Ranch
Mountain View
Dry Creek
Clear Water
Watertown
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I’ve posted the winner’s name (Kristi) to the top of the blog with instructions on claiming her prize!
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Congrats Kristi!
Also though of Stone Ridge.
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OOPS! thought