Question: I know that Crystal Bend is a fictional town, but is it based on a real place?
Answer: Not really. When I wrote The Year of Living Shamelessly, I wanted to set it in a college town nestled in the mountains. I’m not sure why I wanted it in the mountains. Probably because I can see the Cascade mountain range outside my window every day.
I didn’t want to use a real town because there is only so much artistic license an author can use. If I want to use a pool hall and that town doesn’t have one, I’m out of luck. Instead I cobbled together a fictional town using bits and pieces of places I’ve been. The houses might be based on my friends’ homes or what I’ve seen when I’ve gone on house tours. (My mother loved touring historical houses and showcase design homes. All those Sunday afternoon trips are now coming in handy.) The opening scene is in a ballroom from my university. The café’s layout, complete with streets and parking lot is from a quaint restaurant I once visited.
So, no. Crystal Bend isn’t based on another town, but it is a collage of places I’ve been.
