All my life I’ve lived in a city or the suburbs that’s within a half-hour drive to a big city. Right now, I’m smack in the middle of Dallas and Fort Worth and can have my fill of city life going east or west. I like the conveniences, I do. I hate the traffic and the claustrophobia being so close to other folks can cause. Right now, I’m looking out my big bay window, a lovely spot in my home, only to see my neighbors homes staring at me from across the street. Ha.
I’ve had a taste of small towns, though. My grandparents lived in a small west Texas town that I absolutely loved. Mr. Castle’s family remains in his birth town up in northern Michigan. I love being able to drive past open fields with a scattering of homes. I love attending their churches and even though you’re an outsiders, you’re never invisible. Because you’re related to one of their own, they take you in, too.
I’m not saying that I’d ever want to give up my suburban life. I mean, when my family in Michigan visits and we’re going to take a trip to Walmart, they’re packing up snacks and drinks as if we’re driving down to Austin instead of two blocks to the shopping mall. I found out during one trip up there, that going to Wally-world is like taking a drive to Waco. You better pack some chips and extra waters because you’re going to be driving for at least an hour, if not more.
Wow.
I remember how excited my grandparents were when Wally-world finally moved into their little Texas town. Why, they thought they were as grand as uptown Dallas when that happened. True story. My grandma’s exact words.
For me, small towns were pleasant escapes from the hustle and bustle of life. So I guess it stands to reason why I love setting my books in such places. But it’s more than that.
Last month, I was driving with my son to his new college up in the panhandle of Texas, near Amarillo. Let me tell you. some of those desolate towns we passed through and all that flat, flat, flat land simply amazed me. (I’d never had any reason to venture up that way before). I kept wondering who would live in these one strip towns were most of the buildings were vacant and collapsing in on themselves? Someone lived there because a few business were open. Were they happy in this town? Why had caused them to die out and was there any hope of reviving them?
And that’s what I ended up writing about. A failing town on the verge of death and the heroes of that town joining together to revive it. Why? I guess because I cling to HOPE. Hope that things can turn around. Hope that if people worked together for the common good, life can blossom again. Hope that death can be beaten, perhaps?
Each of my Madison Creek story characters have loved, struggled, yet done their small part to make the town a little bit stronger, better, more prosperous. We can’t save the world, but we can do our small part to make the world a better place. I believe that with everything I have.
So, that’s why this big town girl loves writing about small towns. Because she has hope that even the small can do mighty things.
My newest Madison Creek B&B, Sun Kisses, will be released by time you read this post. Here’s a little more about the story:
History drew them together and then threatened to tear them apart.
Despite her attempt to portray a woman in control, Karen Borgman’s life is a mess. Living with an uncaring, unfaithful husband had been bad enough, but his death sent her life into a humiliating tailspin.
Only her fight to revive for her small town, Madison Creek, and sharing its deep history with tourist kept her sane. When history professor, Kelvin Fairbanks, sailed into her life, Karen’s hope of a life with a good man is ignited. What could go wrong?
But when her heart’s desire, a desire she could never attain on her own, is dropped on her doorstep, her reputation and relationship with Kelvin are threatened.
Another heartwarming story from Madison Creek Bed and Breakfast and the characters you’ve grown to love.
So what about you? Do you live in a small town, or big city, or somewhere in between? What do you love about the place you are at? Finally, do you enjoy reading about small towns, or do you prefer more metropolitan settings?
I’m going to pick one guest today who will win a free copy of the first Madison Creek book, Snow Belle. And if you’ve not read any of this series yet, go grab the free novella, Secretly In Love.
Here’s a little video I put together. Enjoy and blessings to all of you.
Jackie C.
Jackie Castle is the author of The White Road Chronicles a fantasy series, The Sentinel Archives for school-age readers, and newly released Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast romance series. She has also published articles and short stories in numerous magazines. She’s enjoyed many crazy adventures from working as a hairstylist, to her bravest quest: teaching children in daycare and elementary schools. Eventually, she settled down to a somewhat safer pursuit of being a Story-weaver. Now she lives in her comfortable Texas home where she spins marvelous tales and enjoys relaxing in the evenings with her husband Bob, their children and grandchild. She looks for the extraordinary in every ordinary day that she experiences.
I live in a medium-sized suburb but grew up in a small town. I love both….but likely would never live in a city :)
Hi Jackie, interesting read, hope your son is enjoying college. I live in a separate, small town, but only a 40 minute drive into the city. I love the small town feel- knowing people as I shop around town, knowing the neighbours etc. but love living near the city with all its conveniences. I think I have the best of both worlds:) Driving anywhere in Australia means visiting some very small towns- many with just a couple silos and a pub!
Blessings:)
Hi Jackie! Thanks for the informative blog. Love that you are writing about your husband’s home – the Mitten State. I always enjoy reading stories set in small towns in my home state Michigan. I live in a small community on the shores of Lake Michigan similar to Madison Creek and about one hour south of Muskegon, which you mention in Sun Kisses. You captured Michigan’s small town atmosphere with their 3 Cs – community, connection and comfort. Our town is rich in history, just like Madison Creek. It was founded by LaSalle and is directly across the Lake from Chicago, about an 1.5 hour drive away.
While I enjoyed living in Chicago in the 1980s with its museums, restaurants, culture, I also kept snacks in my car for the kids because a driving from downtown to our neighborhood could take 90 minutes or longer during Friday afternoon rush hour. Definitely don’t miss rush hour congestion in SW Michigan. I enjoy reading Aubrey Wynne’s Christmas in Chicago series. (Note: I enjoy reading stories with all kinds of settings – small town, metropolitan, or foreign.)
Now as a retiree, hubby and I explore the back roads and small town Americana in Michigan and northern Indiana. There are also many communities, which you saw taking your son to college. These small communities besides being rich in agriculture, produced one of a kind items. At the Dowagiac, MI museum we learned about how the city produced pot belly stoves, besides being part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. At the Mid-American Windmill Museum with its 53 windmills in Kendallville, Indiana we learned how the windmill is still produced in this town. Lots of great settings for books.
I live in a small town. I would have to drive over an hour to get to a Target store. I love to tear books about small towns.
I live in a big city, but grew up in a smaller town (about 10,000). I like the convenience of things in the city, but I loved growing up in a smaller town where I could walk anywhere or ride my bike all across town, and where you knew mostly everyone, or at least knew their families. Sounds like a great book!
I lived in downtown Dallas for about 6 months. It was something… Glad that 6 months are behind me. lol
He is absolutely loving his college. It’s nestled in a small-ish town that has built up around the university. Smaller than where he grew up and surrounded by farms and open country. He’s in love with the area. lol. Go figure.
Now that’s interesting! The last time we visited Michigan, I insisted we travel up along the lakeshore so I could do a bit of research and visit the small towns I had envisioned in my mind. We stayed at a B&B in Ludington, which was just north of Muskegon (We also stayed a night there, too) I fell in love with Ludington and thought, this is what Madison Creek wants to become. So when I write about MC, I’m picturing Ludington in my mind. =)
LOL. I can’t imagine having to make that drive, just to go to Target. Small towns are fun to write about, and I enjoy reading about them, too.
Thanks. I guess both have their perks.
I grew up in a small town in Ohio, but now live in San Antonio. So far I’ve enjoyed living in the city (although I do miss being able to see the countryside), but it was definitely a transition! Funny story, I had never really experienced rush hour traffic, so I would plan to go somewhere right around the worse time of day for traffic and then come home full of amazement that there were so many cars on the road. My husband quickly taught me the best times of day to run errands after that. ;) Now that I’m used to that aspect, I’ve enjoyed living in the city, but I would like to move back to a small town someday. :)
I live in rural WV where I look out my doors and see birds, wildlife, and trees. I love that but hate driving 15 miles on crooked mountain roads to church and the closest mall is 90 minutes. I enjoyed reading about you and your new book. Congratulations
Even small towns are too big for me, LOL. I’m a farm-and-country girl through-and-through. Our nearest Costco is several hours away and across an international border, while there are a few WalMarts closer… and even in my own country! What I love about our small town (8 miles away) is never going to the grocery store or anywhere else without running into people I know. So there’s a true sense of community, which I try to bring into my stories no matter where they’re set.
Your new one is on my e-reader!!
I’ve kind of got the best of both worlds – we live on property my grandfather bought 80 years ago, and are surrounded by trees. But I can walk to the store in 15 min., drive to Costco in 10 min. and drive to the San Francisco Bay Area in 30 min. I like reading about both big cities and small towns.
By the way, Jackie – I know I have Snow Belle on my Kindle, but can’t find it when I type in your name or that title. Was it in a boxed set?
Jackie, your series sounds inspiring. I’ve moved around a lot during my life, so I’ve had a taste of small towns, suburbs and big cities. I have to say suburbs top my list. Some of them have a little quieter life, but you are close enough to the big cities to enjoy all the city has to offer. I often write about small town close to big cities.
I love San Antonio. That’s one city I think I might like to move to. Maybe. I do enjoy visiting. Often as we can.
Thank you. I’m jealous about the view. But not so much all that driving. Guess we can’t have everything. *sigh*
So you’re pretty close to your Farm stories, aren’t you? I love those stories. =)
Snow Belle isn’t part of a boxed set. Did you get it through Book Funnel? Did you recently email me about this? I was looking around to see but if you did, I can’t find that email. If you’ll email me again, I’ll try to help you figure out where it might be located. =)
I live in the suburbs now and do like it. All the convenience yet not quite as clustered as cities.=)
After living in small towns and bigger towns and on an Island, and St. Louis, we retired to a smallish town on the interstate. We have quaint old buildings but the main drag has at least a dozen fast food/ pizza joints. We have to go 45 minutes to things like JoAnns, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, TJ Max, or Sams but we to have a Walgreens and a Walmart! This story sounds great. I love the idea of rescuing old towns.
I live in what you would call a mid-sized town in Iowa. I have lived here most of my life and I guess I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I love the change of seasons every year. We live close to most shopping areas, so it doesn’t take long to get my errands done.
I love reading stories about small town life, also. Makes for a good book.
I prefer small towns where everyone knows every one else. Makes for interesting dialogue and interactions.
Sounds like a wonderful place to live.
I agree
I’ve certainly had fun writing about them.
It really is a great city! For a big city that is. ;)
Live in a small town & I love it ,❤️??
what a great post. I grew up on a farm. YES When I was in high school we moved to Illinois in the suburbs. It was ok. When I got married to a man who grew up in Chicago we lived in Chicago suburbs. I like it. It has turned out to be a great place to raise the two kiddos. And my mom and dad lived further out, so our kids could visit often on their small farm. No that my husband is getting closer to retirement, I am finding that I like being able to have everything mostly close by.
I love reading about people in small towns, making it a great town for them to live in. I guess it brings back those days I loved so much. There is definitely a difference between small town folks and city folks.
I grew up in small town (2000 people) and now live in a town of about 20,000. We are basically what you would call a bedroom community to a substantially larger town about 20 minutes away. I love our midsize town, and if you want great dining and entertainment it’s only a little way down the road.
I live in a small town. We have no Wally-world (an hour and a half drive). People know you. You run into said people at the store. Nobody is a stranger. You can smile and chat with a stranger and not feel weird. Even dogs are friendly (for the most part).
These are a few of my favorite things about the small town. Even with the inconvenience of no Wally-world, I’d take it over congested traffic and people packed in like sardines! Though, I am happy to report, we are FINALLY getting a Super Walmart (only after NINE years of the city fighting it!!) to be opening in early Spring. I’ll be clicking my heels and dancing a jig!! I can certainly relate to your grandparents….LOL!! We’ll be city-fied then, HA! :-)
I love stories set in small towns because I can relate to the characters. But I don’t limit myself to them, they just happen to be up at the top of my favorite story settings :-)