Of course it doesn't help that my work in progress (WIP) is set in New York. I honestly think this is the universe telling me that I must go to New York, don't you think? It's certainly making it very hard to ignore, anyway!
I've been to New York before in 2011 and I freaking loved it. I expected it to big and dirty and full of graffiti and people who wanted to kill/rob/rape me on every street corner (thank you Dick Wolfe). But it was absolutely gorgeous! I never thought any city could replace London in my heart but I tell you what - New York came damn close!
Here's some pics -
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| Click on it to make it larger - you can just see Lady Liberty on the left! |
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| We stayed in a hotel right on Times Square. Man that place buzzes! |
I'm very excited about the NYC story I'm working on at the moment. For a start it's a continuity with Kelly Hunter, Heidi Rice and Lucy King. Fabulous writers and absolutely top women. Secondly its New freaking York (see above). Thirdly all the stories are based loosely (very) on fairy tales. It's more the Pogues kind of Fairy Tales of New York rather than Disney princess stuff but still....fairy tales!
The stories follow 4 friends from an upstate girls catholic school ten years after an incident that saw them expelled/suspened/broken up when they were 16. Friendships are rekindled, old hurts are healed and love is fought for and won. Mine is the 4th book. It's set in Brooklyn and is based on Cinderella with a working title of A Barron on Park Avenue.
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Faith Sullivan is a good girl from irish catholic stock who's grown up in her family's Irish pub. Rafe Barron (yes, with 2 r's) is a "beer baron" from Australia. She has duties and responsibilities looking after her ailing father and her 4 brothers and the pub. She doesn't have time for hapily ever afters and the one. He needs her pub to launch his new beer into the US market. He doesn't believe in happily ever afters and the one.
Clearly, they're perfect for each other, right? :-)
Here's my Pinterest page if you want to have a sticky beak at my inspirations for the book. And this is Heidi's. And this is Lucy's. We haven't managed to seduce Kelly to the dark side that is Pinterest yet but she's doing the Ugly Duckling and we all know Kel can write the hell out of anything.
So, you can see why I'm having a hard time trying to get New York off my mind, right?
Is there a place like that for you? One place (town, city, mountain, beach, whatever.... ) that you've been to that you loved so much you'd like to go back to again some day? Or is there a place that you do go back to time and time again precisely because you love it so much?
Amy, you have got to go! The universe is telling you something, and what's more- so am I! (Slightly biased in that I am also going and it would be ultra fabulous to catch up in NYC!! But be quick- places are selling fast!).
ReplyDeleteI love visiting just about anywhere and there are so many new places I'd like to see that I'm not overly interested in going back to others (although both Hawaii- Maui- and India are two places I'd love to re-visit if I get time/money/opportunity).
I have never been to NY and it is number one on my list of places to visit. I can not wait. Bring it on! See you there ;-))
LOL Louisa.....I can tell you're as excited by the prospect as I am :-)
DeleteIf I do go and we catch up do you know you and I will have met 3 times all in different countries - Auckland, Sydney and New York! Such jetsetters we are!
We definitely have to add NY to our get together list, then!
DeleteFirstly, oh my good lord I can't wait to read those books! They sound incredible and what a gorgeous group you're writing with..Secondly I'm having the exact same dilemma as you re: going to the NYC conference AND my current series is set in upstate NY as well!
ReplyDeleteGreece is that place for me. I feel as close to the people and the places there as I do anywhere in the world and I can't wait to go back.
I really think Louisa is right. You have to go to NYC!
Thanks Barb - am very excited about the stories!
DeleteGreece....sigh, its definitely on my list of places to vist. Maybe next year. Hubby and I talking about doing a cruise there with my bestie and her hubby. Excited about that too :-)
Amy, it sounds like the Gods do want you to go to NY - for research of course! Sounds like you're having a great time writing this one.
ReplyDeleteI can't put my finger on any one single place to return to as there are quite a few I want to visit again. I was in London recently and was surprised at how very much I enjoyed myself even though I'd been there several times before. There's always something new to do and see as well as old faves.
Oh London....I love London. What's that old saying? When a man grows tired of London he grows tired of life?
DeleteSo true!
Those books sound awesome.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've travelled enough to know which places I want to return to over and over
Thanks Lyn x
DeleteAm having so much fun writing my story at the moment Amy, can't wait to read the rest of them... I am a huge fan of NYC too, went to a very chic wedding there last year in an art deco venue on Broadway called Gotham Hall (kept expecting Batman to turn up!)... Then was in Brooklyn on an AirBnB housebarge the year before.. Which might be why my story is set on one! Would love to go back to Brooklyn, it's so cool.
ReplyDeleteSo great to see you in London last year Amy. You MUST come back soon. I'm also a big fan of Paris and Savannah in Georgia - love cities you can walk in and soak up the culture along with the traffic fumes.
Isn't it so much fun, Heidi?? I'm loving it!
DeleteRest assured I will return to London again. And again :-)
Wow - those books sound fantastic, Amy.
ReplyDeleteI have one word for you: GO. Actually, I have a few more: tax deduction! And - Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go.
I love London, too. Lived there for years and still yearn to live there again.
Yes....I really really want to.... :-/
DeleteSounds like the universe is telling you to go! Fingers crossed you can make it - and then we can grab a drink if you do ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm writing a book set in New York too and I'll be heading off there in three weeks, can't wait!! Your pictures are making me so excited to go there, especially that first one - beautiful!
Stefanie! Another reason to head to NYC in July :-)
DeleteI love that pic too. Huby and I went on a dusk bus tour and it was fabulous seeing the lights come on everywhere.
I'd love to go to NYC one day, but the city of my heart, oh-twin-of-mine, is London. LOVE London. So much.
ReplyDeleteIf you do manage to slip away to NYC (and I have fingers crossed for you), we want lots of pics and a gossip filled report. :-)
Another tick in our twin column, Michelle :-) But I swear to you, you'll feel the same way about New York too. Took me totally by surprise!
DeleteThere will be pics and gos galore, I promise! :-)
Hi Amy
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of these stories and Cinderella is my favourite fairy tale :)
I have not travelled a lot so there isn't a place that I feel I must go back to yet but one of my daughters went to New York last year and she insists that it is a place that she needs to revisit :)
Have Fun
Helen
You'll have to wait to last for mine, Helen but I hope it will be worth it :-)
DeleteI'm totally with your daughter x
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI've never been to New York before and I'm so looking forward to going this year.
If you're going to go, you need to book soon. I booked late last week and the accommodation is all taken! I'm praying that some rooms will be thrown back in the room pool soon, or I'll be sleeping in the subway *grins* a real New York experience!
Hi Toni. Yes, I know I need to make that decision really soon!
DeleteI know someone who's already booked accommodation that I can share with so I'm not so worried about that!