To me, choosing the setting for a novel is like designing an effective stage for the “actors” (in my case, fictional characters) to perform or live out the drama to come.
My new novel, The Sisters of Sea View (December 2022) is Book One in a new series called ON DEVONSHIRE SHORES. I liked the setting and characters so much, I decided to stay there for at least two more novels.
While I often fictionalize the settings of my novels, this one is set in the real seaside town of Sidmouth on the south coast of England in the county of Devon (more commonly known as Devonshire in the 19th century).
Jane Austen, her sister, and their parents visited this fashionable resort town in the summer of 1801. Some say she fell in love there and many believe the visit inspired her unfinished novel Sanditon. (You may have seen the recent miniseries based on it. See my review of Season 2 here).
Jane Austen’s connection to Sidmouth is one of the reasons I chose this seaside town for the series setting and I hope you will enjoy traveling there as well—at least through the pages of this book!
Sidmouth has grown and changed a lot since the early 19th century but here are a few more historical images of this beautiful place to help you visualize it as it used to be.
Which image is your favorite? Does this setting appeal to you? I truly hope so!
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This sounds very interesting.
Thank you!
I can’t decide which is my favorite, but I love the cover! I also love the setting! Ahhh, England.
I agree. I love England.(No surprise there.) Thanks, Angie.
I love places I haven’t yet visited–especially in Britain!–through fiction. Really looking forward to this series, as I do all your books. 🙂
Thank you so much, D!
Looking forward to this series! I like all the pictures, but number three is a favorite.
Thank you, Betty!
I like the second image with the bathing machines in the foreground. I can almost hear the seagulls calling over the sound of the waves!
Love it. Thanks, Erica.
The top one is my favorite. I love the cover too and am really looking forward to this new series!
Thank you, Josanne!
I love your opening line about the setting being the stage upon which your characters will act out the story. It reminds me of something similar I wrote in The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen, where Jane says about her book Persuasion: “First, however, it is my job to set the stage, to construct a world of persons and conditions that will give their story substance – a worthy backdrop against which Anne and her captain will act out their poignant play.” Sidmouth is one of the settings featured in that book also, and I will look forward to reading your next, as always!
Ohhhh! I love that line of yours! Thank you for sharing, Shannon.
Oh, phooey…I can’t choose. They all look beautiful. Sounds like another intriguing series. I can’t wait!
Julie, I’m truly excited about your new seaside novel. Personally I think the cover is my favorite of all your books, its beautiful. The second picture with the house, fence, horse and carriage is lovely. I can picture a story unfolding there. Loved Season 2 of Sanditon, and can’t wait for Season 3 with a happy Austen ending. Thank you for your 3 upcoming novels at the seashore. I will feel like I’m vacationing in England by the ocean. 💗 🏖