5 Places I Love for Book Settings

Book settings are key to a strong novel. It’s the descriptions of these places that make the story feel real to the reader. Here are five of my favorite places to set a novel and the reasons why.

Book Setting 1: New Orleans

Okay, I confess that I’m just partial to this city. It’s one of my favorite places to visit. It has a unique feel to it that I’ve spent years trying to capture on the page. Nowhere else in the world feels like New Orleans. It has a mystique that can be twisted into a fantastic setting for any genre. You have romantic carriage rides paired alongside haunted mansions and bars. Pick the story, and it will fit right in on the streets of New Orleans.

Book Setting 2: Las Vegas

Okay, for most people, this one is a no-brainer. For me, this was my start. I lived in Vegas for 20 years. My first book was written and set in Las Vegas. But that doesn’t change the fact that it is a great setting. Like New Orleans, Vegas has a very distinct feel. Unlike New Orleans, Vegas is a busy city. 24/7, it never stops. The Strip is the obvious setting for a gripping story. I used it myself. But travel off the Strip, and you have a culture to explore that you won’t find anywhere else. If you want it, you can find it in Vegas. If not, you can put it there and no one would doubt its existence.

Book Setting 3: San Francisco

I chose San Francisco for this list because it works just as well as New York for a multicultural setting but hasn’t been used quite as much.

Book Setting 4: Kauai

Before you ask, yes, I know Kauai is an island, not a city. But for me, it’s challenging to pick just one city or town on this island as a setting. The entire place is as gorgeous as it is diverse. You have beaches, rainforests, mountains, and a gigantic canyon. All in all, if you want a setting that gives you a variety of geographical features in a small area (25 by 33 miles total), then this is the setting for you.

Book Setting 5: Hometown

Hometowns can be the perfect setting for your writing. You know where you live. Descriptions will not only be incredibly detailed but will also have an emotional connection. You understand all the little details that make your hometown different from all other places in the world. I’ve set many stories in my own hometowns. I have complete novels set where I live not (Reno, NV) and where I grew up (Harlan, KY). Sit down and write a description of your home, using as many sensory details as you can. I guarantee it’ll be vivid.

Final Thoughts

Where to set your story is a personal decision, but these are my favorites. For tips to help create a completely fictional setting, check out my post on world-building. For a list of other great places for your stories, check out this post by Hobby Lark.

What are your favorite places to set your writing? Share in the comments.