Setting.
This last week I was at an Art Educators conference in Galveston Texas. The focus was art, but my writer’s brain is always working. I’m working on a short series of four sisters. Texas Daddy was out in August. The Texan's Twins will be out December 19th and the third sister, Jackie has a Christmas story that will be out 2018
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| Small Ranch Towns, Texas Hill Country - Jolene Navarro |
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| The Texas Hill Country - Jolene Navarro |
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| Texas Hill Country - Jolene Navarro |
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| Small town life. Jolene Navarro |
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| Boerne Plaza - Small Town Life in the Texas Hill Country - Jolene Navarro |
It’s based on a small town in the Texas Hill Country, Leakey Texas and bits of Boerne, Texas. If you are familiar with the area you might know Garner State park. I also pulled in bits from Boerne, Texas.
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| Leakey Texas - Garner State Park |
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| Old restored church that inspired Jackie's story. |
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| Country roads taking me home - Jolene Navarro |
I love creating a fictional town – I can build and design the way I want it.
I love both of these towns. My family and my husband’s family are from Leakey. My parents met there. I met my husband there at a homecoming game and later married on the Frio. Boerne and Leakey have always been a part of my life.
I love these sitting and it shapes the people that I write about, but in a conversation with my editor she thought I might want to try a new setting for my next series.
So I’ve been thinking, do I just move down the road and create another town nestled in the Texas Hill Country or do I try something new?
This was on my mind as I spent the week in Galveston.
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| Along the seawall in Galveston - Jolene Navarro |
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| Galveston, Texas |
At one time the major hub of the south, it rivaled New York. Until 1900 when a hurricane wiped it out and killed between 10,000 to 12,000 people. Some say it has never returned to it past glory. https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ydg02
The seawall, the majestic homes and history make it a place of inspiration. Texas has almost 400 miles of shoreline along the coast.
Growing up I have spent most of my summers at Port Aransas or South Parade. I have to admit South Padre is my favorite.
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| South Padre, Texas |
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| South Padre, Texas |
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| Pirate's Ship at South Padre |
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| Sand Castles at South Padre, Texas |
It is at the very bottom of the Texas coast. It’s where the sea turtles like to lay their eggs.
Some of the biggest ranches are in the coastal plains. So what about a family of ranchers trying to make it work. Do they run a dude ranch, a B&B? Maybe recreational fishing along with ranching? A friend of mine owns a pirate ship in South Padre. How cool is that?
So what do you think? Small Hill Country town or a family ranch on the coast? Coastal Cowboys might work. What do you think?
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You make me homesick for Texas, Jolene! We lived there 34 years and have many, many friends in the Hill Country. It's a rich setting for novels. Can't wait to see what you come up with next.
ReplyDeleteThanks Arlene!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures of Texas, Jolene. You always manage to show me a whole 'nother side of Texas. I would love to see these glorious beaches. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteYOu should visit and experience it for real. :)
DeleteEither one sounds great. Cowboys work wherever there is water and grazing for their livestock. And thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteYay to cowboys. :) Thank you.
DeleteBoth ideas sound great, but I'm a water girl so my first choice would be a coastal setting!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures, Jolene!
Thank you. Any excuse to share my pictures. lol I might need more hands-on research on the coast.
ReplyDeleteJolene,
ReplyDeleteI love Texas, lived there almost six years (Abilene and Lubbock) and miss it like crazy. My favorite photo was the old church. It's cool where we get ideas, isn't it?
I go to Abilene once a year for the West Texas Writer's Academy. Each part of Texas is so different.
DeleteGreat photos, Jolene! I love them all. I'm a water girl at heart, so gravitate to the beach, but I love to read about hills and mountains. Whatever you choose, you'll make a great story in the setting.
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine. There is something so soothing about the water.
DeleteI love your photos, Jolene.
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for Coastal Cowboys. Sounds like fun.
Thanks for stopping by - any excuse to share pictures! LOL.
DeleteAh, such sweet memories for this native Texan! Love the photos, Jolene! And I'd love to see what you do with coastal cowboys! The King Ranch sure made it big down that way!
ReplyDeleteThis blog is really informative and this is very helpful for visitors. If you are looking for Boerne tx homes for sale, then it gives you the best offer. Thank you!
ReplyDelete