Afternoon. I'm currently editing my novel and one point a friend of mine has pointed out that I don't say where it is set.
For example in the first chapter I write.
To be honest there was a distinct lack of alternatives for sixteen and seventeen year olds to do where we lived, which meant that driving around in Alex's car was the best thing we could do, and there was nowhere I would rather have been.
Should I give a name to the place or not? Would knowing specifically where it is set influence peoples opinions of the main character? Should I say an area such as a town or narrow it down to a close by village?
Thanks.
The only way you can get away without giving a name to your location is if ALL the action takes place there, IMHO.
Many authors have used actual locations to good effect. In 'The Weirdstone of Brisingamen', Alan Garner uses the mystical associations already given to Adderley Edge, with its infamous Wizard, to strengthen the magical background of the locations in the book.
However, you could always use a made-up name, giving the reader an identification marker to latch on to, for instance Emmerdale, Midsommer, Hobbiton, and doing so may make it easier for you, the writer, to refer to it in your book.
The name you choose, though made up, can sound like the kind of place you have in mind, such as Market Shipborough, the fictional parish in 'Kingdom', the name conjuring a typical English market town.
Also, by being fictitious, you can have more freedom in what your characters say or do there without fear of libel actions against the author.
Thanks for both your answers they are both valuable. My setting is described in detail yet it could be placed in many villages, towns etc. There are small details which i have tried to work in to subtly give away its position without giving specific names to the places.
such as
Trees and fields stretched out and down on either side of the road over my favourite hill. Beyond the fields I could see the lights of the surrounding towns gradually coming on, as it turned from day to dusk to night.
Far in the distance the flashing red tips of the tall radio masts gave warning to any low flying aircraft.
and
I blink and the red lights are gone my eyes now drawn towards the familiar ‘57’ sign on top of the Heinz factory.
I just don't know whether to put in the village name or hill name etc.