Setting: US vs. UK

emilycross · Mar 19, 2010

I'm currently writing a YA, but I've been thinking alot about the setting of my novel. Now, I've been keeping things vague enough in regards to nationality/setting.

e.g. I say school - not secondary or highschool.

But this is getting a bit awkward.

I'm Irish, but I know i would be limiting my appeal to a UK/US audience and my appeal to UK/US agents/publishers if I wrote it in an Irish setting.

So my question is: Should i set it in the UK because more than likely that's where I'll be making my queries to, or should I make it US because if (i know - if) it were published it would be a bigger market?

I keep thinking of John Connolly (who wrote all his books based in Maine) or Sarah Rees Brennan (who wrote her books based in England).

Help? Or should i just keep it vague and just keeping writing the fecking thing

shaldna · Mar 19, 2010

I base all my books in Belfast (with the exception of a few which are set in Donegall)

And I think, to hell with it. I'm not going to stop being who I am to satisfy an audience.

Personally I think there should be more regionalised fiction.

You're not limiting your audience at all, look at HP, very english in all respects, and massive global popularity.

Maeve Binchy writes almost exclusiely about Dublin and the surrounding areas. Doesn't stop her selling.

SWest · Mar 19, 2010

Interesting dilemma! You have made the cases for both sides. And I see your points.

Setting your story in the U.S. is going to depend a lot on whether you are conversant with American idioms, you know? If you move the plot to the U.S., then you may have to second-guess all your characters' phrasing, etc.. In which case, maybe better to leave this until you've got the whole 'fecking' plot wound up. Edit ruthlessly later,and find a lot of American betas.

Not that you can assume that a young U.S. audience would be Brit-phobic...if your U.K. setting is compelling, why not (JK Rowling, Barbara Cartland, etc.)? Can a setting work into the plot (village? moor? castle? London?).

Are there cultural features of your gang that inform their behavior and reactions to each other?

Are you fully familiar with regional, racial and political issues that may be relevant to action taking place on either side of the Atlantic? For example, would you need to do a lot of extra research about 'immigration' problems along the Mexican border as compared to what you already know about Belfast?

Does it matter if your young people live somewhere where gay marriage is Banned, Pending or Accepted?

Just some thoughts to add to your confusion...but seriously, do what your Gut tells you is Right for your plot!

vfury · Mar 19, 2010

I think it depends on the story; set it where you feel it should be. My current ms is set in an unnamed town because, for various reasons, that's what suited the story. I thought for a while about where to set it before I decided I didn't want to get tied down to any one city or region. So I made up my own large town. None of my readers have commented on it because, apart from not naming it, I fleshed it out and referenced things when needed--the basics of a place remain the same, it's just the vibe and history that's different.

My next book is going to be set in an alternate London that's never actually specified as London by any of the characters. I think I may be developing a habit...

PoppysInARow · Mar 19, 2010

I set my books in Canada and have never had a problem. But I know Canada, I couldn't confidently write about a country I've never been to. There are certain aspects of society that are very different between US and UK, like the school system is set up much differently. But you shouldn't have a problem. Write what feels most comfortable to you.

mickeyDs4 · Mar 19, 2010

When it comes to setting, make sure it's places that you know well or can handily get research materials on. I like to pick places I have never been for the main settings of my book so I can learn something while writing. If you're not comfortable writing about the US stay in the UK. If you want to expand your horizons then go for the unknown.

eyeblink · Mar 19, 2010

I thought about this regarding Partings and Greetings and finally decided: to hell with it. I'm English and I've lived my entire life in southern England. If I tried setting the novel somewhere else I could get all manner of things wrong.

As I mentioned in another thread, one of the main characters is Anglo-Polish, born in the UK from Polish parents and fully bilingual, and proud of the fact. She isn't a recent immigrant to the UK, though many people assume she must be from her name alone. East European migration to the UK (especially from Poland) is a vexed issue in the UK in recent years, and that isn't translatable to another country.

emilycross · Mar 19, 2010

Thank you everyone! I really appreciate all the advice

vfury said:
I decided I didn't want to get tied down to any one city or region

See, this is how i feel. Originally I was hoping that being vague about certain things would make the setting more generalisable? So i wouldn't need to be too concerned about it, but small things keep nagging.

Guess it's something I'll have to mull over. Fact is, I've never been to the U.S. so i probably should set it in either UK/Ireland.

Part of me, would like to set it in a nameless place, but in Ireland (purely for handiness). Definitely some thought is needed.

Thanks to everyone though, great to get some advice on this!

eyeblink · Mar 19, 2010

I've read YAs set in Ireland before. For just one example, check out Kate Thompson's Creature of the Night, which was on the Carnegie Medal shortlist last year.

emilycross · Mar 19, 2010

Really?

Thanks, I'll definitely something to check out. I suppose Artemis Fowl also is based in Ireland (mostly).

kaitlin008 · Mar 19, 2010

I'm obviously just one person, but I really don't care where books are set. I don't expect them all to be in America (I know Americans have this reputation for whatever reason, but honestly. None of my friends who read will say 'oh I won't read that it takes place in the UK/Canada/wherever')

I would much prefer a well-written novel with a setting the author is familiar enough with to do properly than one where there are all sorts of details wrong. Which isn't to say you can't set it outside Ireland if you want to. You'd just have to do some research

~*Kate*~ · Mar 19, 2010

I'd much rather read an authentic "exotic" setting than a bland, generic one that could be anywhere. My $0.02.

Zoombie · Mar 19, 2010

Irish accents are sooooo cuuuuuute!

<drools for a bit>

Also, I have no idea where this bizarre myth came that Americans can't relate to characters who are not American.

I think its actually an outgrowth of America's bizarre hatred of other Americans. Basically, you have a bunch of studio executives who are trying to market stuff. And they're old and crotchety and go, "Grr, Johnny Q. Public is too stupid to like anyone who sounds or looks funny, so we're going to turn this character into an American!"

And so these movies are made with Americans pallet swapped in.

And then these movies get to other seas and the people there go, "Why is this character American? I guess Americans hate seeing non-Americans in this role!"

And thus the cycle of stupidity continues.

This is all based on cold hard speculation, mind you.

inkspatters · Mar 19, 2010

Zoombie said:
Irish accents are sooooo cuuuuuute!

So true

My opinion is to set the story wherever it works best. I'm Australian, but for the novel I'm querying, the story is set in the US -- because it worked better there, and I didn't really give a second thought to writing it in the US (I got American betas to make sure I wasn't stuffing everything up). In the novel I'm writing the setting is kind of unspecified, so the reader wouldn't really know this, but in my mind it's this tiny Aussie country town.

I guess commercial considerations are important, too. I've been told my voice is American when I submit to Australian and UK agents -- I'm not sure how this came to be-- so I should probably set my stuff there as it's where I'll have the largest audience. And also because I'm not capturing Brit and Australian voices too well, apparently.

eyeblink · Mar 20, 2010

emilycross said:
Really?

Thanks, I'll definitely something to check out. I suppose Artemis Fowl also is based in Ireland (mostly).

Eoin Colfer's Airman is set mainly in the Saltee Islands, which are off the coast of County Wexford. That's more MG than YA though - it was also on the Carnegie shortlist last year.

shaldna · Mar 20, 2010

Zoombie said:
Irish accents are sooooo cuuuuuute!.

Ha. You say that now because you haven't heard me speak. Half times I can't understand what I'm saying, never mind anyone listening to me.

Shakesbear · Mar 20, 2010

My thoughts are that your setting should be one you can write about with authority, enthusiasm and maybe add a bit of charisma. I have read books written by non-Brits that have made me cringe when they get something wrong - not because it is wrong but because it breaks the 'spell' the author is creating.

Momento Mori · Mar 20, 2010

emilycross:
Or should i just keep it vague and just keeping writing the fecking thing

Personally, I wouldn't worry about location at the moment and just concentrate on getting the draft finished.

From the sound of it, location isn't important to the story per se - it doesn't sound as though the setting plays a key part in the events, or the dialogue of your characters (e.g. local slang) or a cultural backdrop to the themes in the story.

You're only worrying about it from a query point of view and at the moment you're not at the query stage.

It could be as you get to the end of the first draft, you discover that the location is becoming important (in which case you deal with it in the rewrites) but if the way you're writing it at the moment is non-location specific, then don't worry about it.

To add to the list of books set in Ireland, I'll throw in the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy (although to be honest, the Irish location doesn't seem to make any difference to it because the stories are such fun they could be set anywhere).

MM

Glenakin · Mar 20, 2010

Lol irish accents are NOT cute! Hahaha. You lot have been seduced by the sweet Irish accents on American TV. Or the James Bondish British accent - which is why all my american friends think all Brits talk like James Bond. Lol nope. They don't in Liverpoool haha.

PoppysInARow · Mar 20, 2010

Glenakin said:
which is why all my american friends think all Brits talk like James Bond. Lol nope. They don't in Liverpoool haha.

I think Liverpool accents are incredibly cute. That may just be me though.

/random

LynKay · Mar 20, 2010

I think you should find a setting that you are comfortable with and write about it. In my experience being an American Expat living in Europe, and writing about American teens; I have been redirected by English Agents to the Agents in the States because of the setting.

I've found it easy to query agents in the States even though I'm in France, because many of them accept Email queries.

Glenakin said:
Lol irish accents are NOT cute! Hahaha. You lot have been seduced by the sweet Irish accents on American TV. Or the James Bondish British accent - which is why all my american friends think all Brits talk like James Bond. Lol nope. They don't in Liverpoool haha.

ha! I feel the need to add the Essex accent as well.

~*Kate*~ · Mar 20, 2010

shaldna said:
Ha. You say that now because you haven't heard me speak. Half times I can't understand what I'm saying, never mind anyone listening to me.

Glenakin said:
Lol irish accents are NOT cute! Hahaha. You lot have been seduced by the sweet Irish accents on American TV. Or the James Bondish British accent - which is why all my american friends think all Brits talk like James Bond. Lol nope. They don't in Liverpoool haha.

This makes me feel better-- I did okay in England, but I couldn't understand anyone in Ireland and felt like a moron. Of course no one could understand me and my southern accent either, so it was a lose lose. LOL

shaldna · Mar 20, 2010

PoppysInARow said:
I think Liverpool accents are incredibly cute. That may just be me though.

/random

it's not just you.

Juneluv12 · Mar 20, 2010

Although I LOVE and ADORE books about other cultures, countries, etc, I know someone whose kickass book has been rejected by pubs simply on the fact that "people, or teens, don't wanna read a fantasy set in a different country". I think it's ridiculous, but that's just me. One of my Contemporary wips has the MC going to Mexico for the summer. Who knows how that will go!

ETA: I also find accents endearing and on men, incredibly sexy, lol!!! Love the English, Irish, and Austrialian. But I know what you mean about understanding some accents. Not sure where in the UK Melanie B and Melanie C were from in the Spice Girls(sorry for my frame of reference,but they're all I can think of at the moment), and I found them hard to understand a lot.

vfury · Mar 20, 2010

~*Kate*~ said:
This makes me feel better-- I did okay in England, but I couldn't understand anyone in Ireland and felt like a moron. Of course no one could understand me and my southern accent either, so it was a lose lose. LOL

Granted, the Irish are also accused of talking too fast, which may have been part of the problem. I definitely talk a mile a minute on a normal day.

Setting: US vs. UK

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