Quiet Place
I did some research in San Francisco not so long ago, searching for location ideas for a story concept bouncing around in my head.
Ever hear of a host club?
Originating in Japan, host clubs are bars where ladies can find a good cocktail served by an attractive guy skilled in the arts of flirting and witty conversation. The “hosts” are good at entertaining, listening and generally making a lady feel special.
Ladies pay by the glass or by the bottle for the alcohol to flow and the men to entertain them. Sexual favors not included, at least not on the menu. It’s possible that a host does after hours entertaining on the side but that’s not part of the club’s services.
Nope, visit a host club and you’re just there for a couple of drinks and flirting – feel attractive for a night, special.
So let’s take this real life concept and step it over to urban fantasy.
Perspective: the Club beyond the statues
Yah – I found my club’s location in San Francisco on my research trip. I walked the streets to get the feel of the town.
I’ve got a couple other WIPs in the works but I know this story concept seems to keep haunting me. I’ve got some definite ideas for the club and how it will be structured, how it will be special.
I had my camera with me, the hobbyist photographer that I am. So I took snapshots to capture the images that called to me most, to build my dossier in Liquid Story Binder.
A common question for writers is how we come up with our ideas. Just think, if you were there, in San Francisco, what would you have seen when you walked the streets?
Me? I saw a story take shape.
Quirky Sculptures
Wow, thanks for this PJ, I hadn’t thought of taking pics for a story file and will have to add one sooner rather than later.
One other thing that I’m planning to use that I didn’t realise before is that if you plan a route on Google you can do a virtual drive so you can see what it will look like as you do the drive.
It’s going to be a useful tool and with luck will help me with a story I’m working on shortly.
What an interesting setting for a story! And I love the idea of photos to help with just the right words.
I still remember when you first talked to me about this story <3 . If I was in San Fran, I'm not really sure. Sadly, I don't have the best memories of my one trip there (long story). I do remember this one house we went to that was really cool. The eccentric person who lived there was really short, so the steps had this really shallow rise and the shower heads were set to like 4' high. For some reason certain parts of that house have stuck with me, and in fact I was thinking about it just the other day and wondering if I could build a story around a house like that.
I love San Francisco. We always have a blast there.
I had never thought about the power of a photo until I started doing my flash fiction regularly. I was stuck without an idea one week and went photo stalking my friends on Facebook. Now I use them with every post. The visual adds so much more to the story for me as I’m writing. It’s one thing to see it in my minds eye, but to be able to actually focus on the photo takes to a whole other level.
@Gareth & @Michelle I’m glad you liked the idea of adding the visuals. I find the photos really help me get back into the frame of mind I wanted.
@Seleste I will someday get you to go to a host club with me. This is a mission.
@ Danielle Maybe someday one of my photos will inspire you.
i think this is a good idea, maybe a possible location also in vegas.