tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post8094827067322662273..comments2024-03-27T03:14:07.652-04:00Comments on Seekerville: The Journey Continues: How to Write the Small Towns We All Love!Missy Tippenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-22686299333360333292018-10-15T12:51:33.824-04:002018-10-15T12:51:33.824-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.cillamaurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08010084682702990157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-72698945218103551782018-10-12T14:10:08.941-04:002018-10-12T14:10:08.941-04:00Yes! I will always love small towns even if right ...Yes! I will always love small towns even if right now I am enjoying having my craft stores so accessible in the city. ;-)<br />And my husband is great at kisses AND fried chicken. So, yes to that, too!Amy Anguishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08227138959392552195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-90003725848339878552018-10-11T20:48:40.233-04:002018-10-11T20:48:40.233-04:00Donna, hey! Good to see you! And I totally agree o...Donna, hey! Good to see you! And I totally agree on the microcosm. A big city is nothing more than a small town on steroids....<br /><br />If the exponent of the population is similar to the square of the industry, then our equation stays happy.<br /><br />(I have no idea what I just said, but it sounds good. Right????)<br /><br />:)Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-62279690509412537262018-10-11T20:47:02.379-04:002018-10-11T20:47:02.379-04:00Thank you, Winnie! I'm tossing that name right...Thank you, Winnie! I'm tossing that name right in and I appreciate your kind words. And a valley small town.... there's romance, for you! Nestled in the valley...<br /><br />And of course it can make you feel protected....<br /><br />OR TRAPPED!!!! Bwahahahahahahahahaha!Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-55527229623845098402018-10-11T20:45:41.178-04:002018-10-11T20:45:41.178-04:00Edwina, we've had a few grow like that around ...Edwina, we've had a few grow like that around here, too. They became desired places and all of a sudden their population multiplied by ten.... and that's huge! <br /><br />Coming home....<br /><br />That's such a great story starter right there. Because we can always come home. :)Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-80087416946759073322018-10-11T20:44:14.790-04:002018-10-11T20:44:14.790-04:00I am tossing you in, absolutely! And I love Mitfor...I am tossing you in, absolutely! And I love Mitford, too. Father Tim and Cynthia!!!! What a great concept!Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-69512899042327731112018-10-11T18:36:06.985-04:002018-10-11T18:36:06.985-04:00Thanks for the tips, Ruthie. Small town stories ca...Thanks for the tips, Ruthie. Small town stories can be some of the best for almost any genre. It's where we get to know the characters well, and we love them, or sometimes have an aversion to them. But we feel their pain or their happiness, and we cry or laugh with them. It's honestly where the microcosm of the world happens. Keep giving us more of the same, and people will always come back for more.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03884805737292751447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-50569369036111983122018-10-11T17:22:15.504-04:002018-10-11T17:22:15.504-04:00I love small town stories. I live in one and I lov...I love small town stories. I live in one and I love the feel of it. I enjoy the slower pace and the community of it. Our valley is surrounded by mountains, which gives it a secluded, protected feel. Congratulations on your new best-seller! Throw my name in the cat dish for a chance to win! Hugs, sweet friend.Winniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09906713469755821006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-71680807585269004102018-10-11T14:00:25.659-04:002018-10-11T14:00:25.659-04:00Ruthy, I did not know how Jan Karon's novel-wr...Ruthy, I did not know how Jan Karon's novel-writing career got started, so when I saw your comment I went and read about it. Wow. Amazing and encouraging. So glad you mentioned it!Jenna Nighthttp://jennanight.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-59948544577283274112018-10-11T13:04:02.287-04:002018-10-11T13:04:02.287-04:00I love small towns! I grew up in one, where no one...I love small towns! I grew up in one, where no one locked their door, we walked to church and to "town," and most everyone knew everyone else. I moved away when I got married, but moved back about 12 years ago. It's no longer a small town, but still maintains that small town atmosphere to a degree. The court square is still there in the center of town, and lots of small shops and great restaurants surround it. There's probably thousands more people living there now than when I grew up there. I think small towns call to all of us. There are a lot of my classmates who said they would never move back - and guess where they now live? Yep, they moved back to that "small town." Please put my name in the cat dish for your book! <br />And, congrats on your being a best-seller!Edwinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06764445303008090045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-88438905810942344362018-10-11T12:17:02.872-04:002018-10-11T12:17:02.872-04:00Love this post, Ruthy! And I LOVE small towns!! Mi...Love this post, Ruthy! And I LOVE small towns!! Mitford would be my very favorite, but there's something special about small towns in general (imho). <br /><br />CONGRATULATIONS on your wonderful BESTseller status (not surprised!) and I'm still super happy about your Christy Final!! YAY RUTHY!! :) <br /><br />Please toss me in the cat dish for the 2nd Wishing Bridge book!<br /><br /> Hugs, Patti Jo CatMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09985658721138526298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-77892471095712660662018-10-11T11:40:15.950-04:002018-10-11T11:40:15.950-04:00KC, they're so different, aren't they? Fro...KC, they're so different, aren't they? From size to size they vary a lot! :)Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-36146657520374164842018-10-11T04:47:16.256-04:002018-10-11T04:47:16.256-04:00Great post with so many terrific ideas.
I grew up ...Great post with so many terrific ideas.<br />I grew up in Houston, TX and moved outside of a small town 17 years ago. LOVE. IT!<br /><br />You're wise to discuss services, and lack thereof. I've found that here neighbors help each other more than I was used to. It's such a blessing!<br /><br />MANY congrats on your current bestsellers! Woot!!!<br /><br />November can't come fast enough since I get to MEET YOU at the Christy Awards! WAHOOOO!!! ;)May the K9 Spy (and KC Frantzen)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01300521279765705202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-14117856147041717562018-10-11T04:30:13.341-04:002018-10-11T04:30:13.341-04:00I hear you loud and clear, Amy! So maybe you guys ...I hear you loud and clear, Amy! So maybe you guys will retire to a small town one day... and how charming would that be????<br /><br />And marriage is all about compromise, isn't it? And kisses and fried chicken!<br /><br />That love for small towns doesn't fade, though. There is something intrinsically American and solid about getting by instead of getting ahead and I think that's the vibe we all love.Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-11820779672021239992018-10-11T04:27:25.773-04:002018-10-11T04:27:25.773-04:00Tanya, I love Mitford so much!!!! And I look at Ja...Tanya, I love Mitford so much!!!! And I look at Jan Karon's climb to fame, how a little book from a little press caught so many eyes! And now look at it.... Amazing!<br /><br />And I bet this new WIP will be wonderful, my friend! Still praying for that call, Tanya. This was the hardest time for me before the call came... knowing I was good enough. Knowing I'd work hard enough. And still waiting... BUT!!!! I've had the time of my life once the waiting was over, pretty lady, and I know you will, too. Hang in there. Be tough.Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-714221881737345522018-10-10T22:37:10.239-04:002018-10-10T22:37:10.239-04:00After having grown up in small towns, my husband h...After having grown up in small towns, my husband has dragged me to living in the suburbs of cities for the last couple of years, and several more before that. I love small towns, though. I miss them, but I love my big-city husband more. ;-)Amy Anguishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08227138959392552195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-40943787972308368432018-10-10T22:24:34.237-04:002018-10-10T22:24:34.237-04:00Ruthy, I love books set in small towns. And Avonle...Ruthy, I love books set in small towns. And Avonlea?! Big sigh. One of my favorites from the Lake of Shining Waters to Green Gables. I also just finished Come Rain or Come Shine, one of the latest Mitford novels by Jan Karon. From St. Mary Mead to Broward's Rock (Carolyn Hart's Annie and Max locale), I love visiting small towns. Thanks for the tips as next week I'll begin to plot another small town for my newest WIP. Tanya A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05906658024486668684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-85756042496626656292018-10-10T20:36:13.701-04:002018-10-10T20:36:13.701-04:00Ruthy -- I enjoy big city stories when they are ha...Ruthy -- I enjoy big city stories when they are handled like small towns -- you know, concentrated in a small area where you get that cozy, walkable neighborhood feeling. The local deli and bakery and grocery store, the restaurants, the florist shop, hair stylist, the little boutiques, theatre, antique store... I can't wait to read yours! :)Glynna Kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11914006944057671962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-5039086478110593042018-10-10T20:09:12.186-04:002018-10-10T20:09:12.186-04:00Connie, you pointed out some really interesting an...Connie, you pointed out some really interesting and telling things: The old department stores that used to carry this and that and more... they're gone and if you can't sustain a mall, then there's really few spots to shop... and then we find the ease of online shopping to be SO NICE!!!! <br /><br />And we keep the cycle going.<br /><br />I love your bereavement dinners. That is such an act of love and I'm a big fan of food banks. What a help they are to so many, Connie!Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-20300246205975136522018-10-10T20:01:58.609-04:002018-10-10T20:01:58.609-04:00Oh my stars, my son just moved to Dallas and I can...Oh my stars, my son just moved to Dallas and I can't wait to go annoy him... oops, I mean VISIT HIM, of course! <br /><br />And the one time I drove between Dallas and Fort Worth I think I may have SCARED Sandra and the other Seekers who were riding along. Let's just say that New York drivers are quite at home in that crazy fast, bumper to bumper insanity. :) There may have been some bobbing and weaving going on, darling! Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-51382780768252362652018-10-10T19:57:37.429-04:002018-10-10T19:57:37.429-04:00What a great list of advice, Vince! Thank you so m...What a great list of advice, Vince! Thank you so much. I love a town you can mentally visit, too.Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-59079805468369245882018-10-10T19:54:59.796-04:002018-10-10T19:54:59.796-04:00We should have an Anne-fest!!!!!We should have an Anne-fest!!!!!Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-81444876608806038192018-10-10T19:54:32.705-04:002018-10-10T19:54:32.705-04:00Maryann, I love those busybodies, too! They add su...Maryann, I love those busybodies, too! They add such flavor to the story, don't they? Like making it real in a sea of fiction. <br /><br />I'm so glad you stopped by today. <br /><br />And you hit the nail on the head about the caring people... they make it the kind of place we'd all like to visit or even live... and that makes the author happy!Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-51858676733353136152018-10-10T19:52:37.844-04:002018-10-10T19:52:37.844-04:00Oh, Lee-Ann, I couldn't mention small towns an...Oh, Lee-Ann, I couldn't mention small towns and ignore one of the best drawn series of modern times. Talk about a timeless piece of work! I love that series so much!!!<br /><br />And I can wave to Canada across the big pond of Ontario, so I feel a nice kinship with my near neighbors! :)<br /><br />I love visiting the big cities... I really do. But the sadness and poverty in them now saddens me. I grew up in a medium city that was thriving 40 years ago... and now it's like a ghost town, so that's a sad reality in so many northeast and midwest cities. <br /><br />I'd love to see that change!!!!Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-58122368700431062932018-10-10T19:49:41.722-04:002018-10-10T19:49:41.722-04:00Will do, Sandy! And I think 20K or under is consid...Will do, Sandy! And I think 20K or under is considered small town friendly. But you made a good point: the setup of the town will vary depending on its size, right? More people equates more services and government and shops. So that's part of what we writers look at when we create the towns or villages.Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.com