You Have To Go There! The Importance Of Setting In A Novel

Home again, I am, after a whirlwind trip to St. John, Virgin Island. My husband and I visited St. John forty-five years ago when we were teachers; this month, we returned to explore the setting for my fourteenth novel, set in St. John National Park which comprises two-thirds of the island.

Yes, St. John is a long way from California, and yes, I’m definitely feeling the extra forty-five years of mileage on my body, but I HAD to go.

My National Park novels hang heavily on authenticity of setting. These are natural wonders in our world upended by the chaos caused by criminals, but each park has unique issues I must explore as I plot my mystery. Sure, Google can help me. Online St. John newsletters are useful. I can read news articles about St. John, study its history in books and magazines, and talk to folks who used to live in the Virgin Islands. Yet nothing is better than a visit to the site.

A few things I learned for my new novel, IDYLL LOST:

1.        Where the feral donkeys hang out on the island and why the park rangers aren’t so pleased with their presence

2.        Chickens of all size and color free-range all over the island. Some sheep and one horse wanders Cruz Bay without restriction, as well

3.         Whites are the minority; Blacks make up 71% of the population

4.        The island is part of the drug circuit (drugs and money) from South America to the United States

5.        Snorkeling for turtles is fabulous…the creatures are curious about people.

6.        St. John stares at Epstein Island (and stories abound about what happened there)

7.        The island’s economy is completely dependent on tourism. Rentals abound.

8.        Caribbean food is delicious

9.        Rum is a favorite

10.  The vibe is upbeat and the little town is quirky and fun

And so much more! Now I’m charged up to tell my story, and I’m hoping you’ll  be reading IDYLL LOST before the year is out.