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Pin the Spot in Arkansas

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I’ve hit that stage in my writing process where I’m thinking of the next series to come. Part of that process is creating the setting. I want it to be great, I want it to be authentic, I want it to induce nostalgia and a sense of home.

But first, I have to figure out what that means to me and what I think it means to the potential reader. Oh, and of course, what it’ll mean to my characters.

I’ll be writing a new series for Love Inspired (the first two books are under contract) set in Arkansas. When I came up with the story idea, I knew I wanted my story to take place in Arkansas. But I don’t know where in Arkansas to place my fictional town. And I don’t know what to name my fictional town.

So I thought I’d ask you guys for help. Ready to play a game? It’s called, name Toni’s fictional town and pin the spot in Arkansas. ;)

Now I can tell you right now, I want my fictional town to have a river (or lake) backdrop along with some mountain views. You’d think that would help me but narrow it down but . . .

My characters are siblings (two boys, two girls, not in that order). One of the siblings oversees a business of tiny home rentals. I may be way to excited about this detail. I may have checked out a bunch of books from the library in my excitement. I may be bingeing a tiny home series on streaming in the name of research. ;)

So because my character runs a tiny home rental business where people can get away from the city and see the sights of nature, I need to pick a region that reflects that.

Alright, let’s talk regions. Arkansas is split into the northwest, north central, upper delta, central, southwest, and lower delta. The northwest has the Ozark mountains which I’m imagining to be pretty spectacular. They also have the Buffalo national river starting here. The north central region has some underground caverns, lakes, rivers, and other sites. The upper delta has the Mississippi river as a border.  Central region is home to Little Rock. The southwest has the Ouachita National Forest. Last, the lower delta has Lake Chicot, Arkansas’s largest natural lake.

So you see there is plenty of nature and God’s creation to see in each region. There’s also other historical points of interest in various places of the region and I’m not sure if I’ll want that to factor in my setting.

So this is where you come in. 1) Please tell me which region you think is best. 2) Give me an idea for the fictional town’s name (if I choose your selection, I promise to thank you in the acknowledgments). 3) And if you are actually from Arkansas and willing to let me pick your brain, let me know in the comments if it’s okay to reach out. Or of course you can message me through Facebook.

Thanks for your help!

Toni Shiloh (60 Posts)

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness. She spends her days hanging out with her husband and their two boys. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Find out more on her website at http://tonishiloh.com.


Comments

  1. I only knew the state name and that it was part of the USA before your post. Perhaps Springwood so you could link to local woods or springs. If they are holidaying in tiny houses they could well be minimalists with most of the book set outdoors. Enjoy :)

  2. I hear Arkansas and I think of Big River and the song Arkansas. But from the description I like the Northwest with the Buffalo national river starting and the Ozark Mountains. It would be an great place for the tiny house Rentals. you would have the river to do sports like kayaking, etc and the mountains to go hiking. And would be a great place for so many activities. Not sure of a name maybe Riverdale

  5. I’d say the Ozarks would make for a more accurate small business. It’s pretty close to Branson which is a huge draw. Tourism is huge there. Just don’t call it Springfield. Too many, and that’s in MO.

  7. I’ve never been to Arkansas, but I’m leaning toward the Ozark area, because I’m from flat Florida, and love mountains!! I have no idea what you’d name the town, either!

  8. My husband and I have done a couple backpacking treks through portions of western Arkansas. I’d suggest either southwest or northwest, both are such beautiful areas and perfect for what you’re looking for. As far as a town name, maybe something to do with a native tree? Like oak something, for instance?

  11. I lean toward the Ozarks as well. Just my preference for mountain settings, I guess.

    I like the idea of two part names, Part1 Part2. Part2 gives a hint of location, like Ridge or Hollow. Part2 could also be a function like Station or Junction. Part1 can say something about Part2 like a founder’s name, a common tree or plant of the area (e.g. Becky Doughty has a series set in Plumwood Hollow), a common animal or activity.

    So, mix and match:
    Part1 options:
    Names (perhaps tied to the characters or maybe just random)
    Trees: Apple, Ironwood, Oak, Elm, Locust, etc.
    Animals: Eagle, Ferret, Hound Dog, Coyote, Kitten, Cattle
    Job or Activity: Shepherd, Harvest, Trader, Shearing
    Descriptions: Big, Tiny, East, West, North, South

    Part2 options:
    Landscape: Ridge, Hollow, Crest, River, Lake, Hill, Heights, Valley, Vale, Prairie, Wells, Falls
    Function: Station, Junction, Post, Landing, Rest, Retreat, City

    You wind up with examples like:
    Coyote Junction
    Harvest Rest
    Eagle Crest
    Eden Valley
    Holly Station
    Wilson City

    And some of the ideas that start with two words can easily be put together as one:
    Westlake
    Eastvale
    Johnsville (with ville being the contraction form for City)

    Hope that wasn’t TMI :-P
    Maybe make little spinners and get your kids to help with possibilities?

    The book ideas sound really neat. Have fun!

  17. I live in northwest Arkansas, in a small town, about 10 miles from the tourist town Eureka Springs. And my dad grew up on the Buffalo river! I would be happy for you to pick my brain. I think my region is the perfect setting for what you describe!

  18. I grew up some in Arkansas, but in the Northeastern part of the state, which wouldn’t work for your books at all. Because it’s flat and full of cotton and rice and soybean fields. And mosquitoes. ;-)
    But I would pick either up in the Ozarks or down around Hot Springs, which also has some mountainous terrain as well as lakes and springs. Both are lovely parts of the state, but I’m biased. I love the whole thing.
    They don’t call it the natural state for nothing!

  21. I grew up in Northwest Arkansas and live in Central Arkansas. I think NWA is perfect for your books, but the great thing about Arkansas is you’re never far away from anything.
    I’d be happy to let you pick my brain!

  22. I think the Northwest where the Ozark mountains are and I would pick Buffalo Springs for the towns name. Have a great week and stay safe.

  26. I couldn’t begin to choose a region, but as for a name go against type and go unusual.

  28. I think north central offers a lot of inspiration for a book. The town’s name could be Lake Cavern. Thank you so much for the opporunity. God bless you.

  29. I drove through Arkansas for the first time on my way to Dallas two weeks ago. Beautiful and so different from where I live.

    Diamond Rapids.

  30. We’re in a town outside of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It’s called Pakenham & has a lot of wonders of the world here like our 5 Span Stone Bridge, Catholic Church, Scoop’s Ice Cream, train tracks (now a walking trail of Canada), & our General Store. They have been here since 1800’s. I love this very small town. Plus it has our campsite just past the town so you can walk there.

  31. I would suggest Kanata, Ontario, Canada. I grew up here till I moved out on my own. It’s right before the country side & the Ottawa Senators NHL team play there. Canada was suppose to be named Kanata but was named Canada. I also know many actors right in the city over & Prince wanted to buy a house in Kanata but didn’t due to not being able to have a Purple door or garage door. My other town is Pakenham due to living here & camped here my life. Here people come from everywhere to go to the 5 Span Stone Bridge & walk, boat, & enjoy the day as well go to the beach with ice cream.

  33. I am from Arkansas! I may be biased but I love north Central Arkansas. I grew up in a little town surrounded by mountains, creeks, and valleys — plus a healthy tourism business. And I slept under a tin roof, the best sleep there is :) I think strong would be an interesting town name, and a wait you can play with words in a humorous bent if need be.

  42. Oh I sure like the idea of the lower delta with Lake Chicot as a backdrop. There could be fishing, camping, canoeing and any number of outdoor activities like that. I think it’d be a wonderful place for a tiny home rental business!

    As for a name, I’m not real good about coming up with one. Maybe Laketown or Riverbend or Waterlog or Peaceful/Paradise Waters? Silly names, this is why I leave it to the writers, lol!

  46. Wow! So many great suggestions above! Sounds like you’ll have a great new book set in Arkansas.

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