Ready to step back in time with me to 1920s western Nebraska?
Usually, when I write a book, my settings are contained wholly in my imagination–and maybe Google images. But with my dielselpunk/historical novel Storming (which releases this Friday–woohoo!), I got to experience the special treat of setting a story in a place with which I am intimately familiar: my own stomping grounds here in western Nebraska.
Back in August, when the leaves were still attached, I hopped in my trusty red triplane and did a photoshoot of all the spots in the valley that were featured in the book. Join me for a fly-through of Storming‘s settings! (I’ve included the chapter number with the photos, so you can come back and look at the settings again once you’ve read the book.)
Chapter 1: Lake Minatare
In Chapter One, we find biplane pilot protagonist Hitch Hitchcock back in his hometown for the first time in nine years, flying over a newly-made irrigation run-off lake–where he nearly rams his plane into two falling bodies.
Chapter 1: Lake shore
This is where Hitch lands his plane to go looking for survivors.
Chapter 2: A hayfield-turned-airfield
This is the most important setting in the book: a farmer’s hayfield turned into an airfield/pilots’ camp for the duration of Col. Bonney Livingstone and His Extravagant Flying Circus’s competition.
Chapter 6: Lincoln Hotel
After Hitch takes the strange fallen jumper Jael under his wing, they head to town for some lunch, passing the impressive historic Lincoln Hotel on their way.
Chapter 7: Dan and Rosie’s Cafe (Now Tallmon’s Jewelry Store)
Imagine this place 100 years ago as the cutest cafe you’ve ever seen. That’s where Hitch wishes he could order a steak that first day.
Chapter 13: Hospital
This wouldn’t be a self-respecting adventure story without some injuries, so naturally I needed a hospital. This, however, is not the hospital. That gray building in the back is at the right address. But no old turn-of-the-century hospital. Go figure.
Chapter 14: Sheriff Campbell’s House
Our not-so-upstanding sheriff is pretty proud of his big white house. This isn’t exactly how I ended up writing Campbell’s house (no dormer windows), but it’s close.
Chapter 14: Carpenters’ Apple Orchard
After making deals with the devil, Hitch makes a more sensible sort of deal with Jael in the apple orchard belonging to the Carpenter family.
Chapter 43: Courthouse/Jail
Quite a number of people end up going through here before the book’s over.
Chapter 43: Graveyard
I won’t say how many people end up going through here. But it was kind of fun to find headstones with names that matched a few of the characters’ in the book:
Scotts Bluff National Monument
And finally there’s the gorgeous Bluff, where quite a few important scenes take place.
Thanks for joining me for a summery soar through my characters’ backyards. Now you’ll know what to imagine while you’re reading the book!
For more images from Storming, you can check out its Settings board on Pinterest.
Also, don’t forget there’s still a day left to enter last week’s drawing (leading up to the BIG drawing on Launch Day, December 4th) for a unique bookend made entirely from one of Shakespeare’s plays.
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I have read two novels set in places and times where I was present. I found it a little creepy. I thought the plane was real!
Haha. Mission accomplished. 😉
Of course it’s real! IT IS REAL!
You’re right. It’s a real toy. 😉
So cool! It looks beautiful in your area. 🙂 As a reader, I generally prefer reading fantasy or historical fiction—so definitely places I haven’t seen. Same goes for what I like to write; I like to explore unknown places in my writing.
I usually prefer the unknown myself. But this was ridiculously fun for a change. It was fun researching the history of the area too. I learned a ton of stuff I hadn’t known before, even though I’ve lived here forever.
Ooh, that sounds fun. It is pretty neat to research what your hometown was like in decades past.
Ha, that was a super fun and creative post. Well done and thanks so much.
Thanks! It was originally supposed to be just silliness, but the plane turned out way better than I expected.
Nifty! Thanks for sharing the photos. 🙂
I had fun taking them. 🙂
What a fun post! Loved the photos … you sneaky girl! 🙂
Heehee. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Ok, I’m officially homesick! Snowbird in AZ I am NOT. Your book will have to keep me company until April 🙂
The book’s set in August–which is when these pix were taken. It’s my favorite month in my favorite place!
Did you notice the leaf next to the plane in second photo? If anyone thought the plane in that picture is real they must think that the trees are huge in the mid-west!
That’s an important plot point in the story. (Just kidding. 😉 )
I have been building an image file in my PC of cool places (both real and imagined) I use for setting inspiration in the fantasy novel I’m writing. It helps, sometimes, when I’m stuck in a scene, or changing places in the story, to bring up my “ideas for the book” photo file and let my mind just wander there a while.
I do that *all* the time. I work so much better when I have a concrete idea of the setting and other details. Pinterest is great for that!
Great photos! I see the Bluffs out my bedroom window each day. So pretty! I’ll have to get your book now. 🙂
Hey, fellow Scottsbluffian! 😀
Hi, K.M. Great idea to show us the places in the book! In historical novels, it always helps to have context. Thanks for the great idea and the effort it took to do this. Deena
One thing that was fun about this book was that, since so much of is set outdoors, the settings look basically the same now as they did back in 1920.
Fun flying with ya’. But I am too dizzy from it to make any sensible comment. 😉
Uh-oh. One too many barrel rolls I guess. 😉
Yeah, the weather is rough with the storm and all. 😉
Bought Storming this morning then took the tour on your lovely biplane. 😉 What a clever promo idea. I like to have photos (or at least drawings) of the places I write and read about – brings it to life for me. If the book I’m reading is set in a real place (almost always since I’m a history geek) I go on Google Earth and check it out, but actually this is more fun. Will be back to check it out again after I’ve read the book.
Google Earth-ing the locations of a novel you’re reading is a cool idea! I need to get in the habit of doing that. I do so much better when I can visualize things.
Congrats, K.M.! How fun to take the journey back in time with you. I definely enjoy visiting places in my stories. . .from London to Israel to the grand state of Texas!
That’s quite a travel resume! I’d love to match it someday.