Location, Location, Location

[Joe McCoubrey]

One thing most authors agree about is the need for accuracy when describing their locations – but just how far can they go in pinpointing exact street names and addresses? A bit of caution, and commonsense, is often needed.

For example, it’s all very well describing a car chase through Lower Manhattan or London’s East End but beware having your drug baron or child kidnapper pull up outside a precisely numbered house in a precisely identifiable street! Think of the poor sod who just happens to live there!

It won’t do either to try to get around the issue by saying something like “midway along the terrace” or “at the far end of the street” because, you’ve guessed it, there’s another poor sod living there too!

SEE MORE: http://joemccoubrey.com/?p=742

[Leona Olson]

I agree on this. Remember when Mary Tyler Moore had her show based in Minneapolis? People were at the house all the time. I  live in this area so heard about it a lot. 

I will say I do like a map when I read a historical novel. Just finished The Book of Madness and Cures and there was a map at the front of the book to show the character's journey.