As I prepare for the release of my newest novel, Sea of Doubt, Book 2 of The Roth Saga, I step back to look at the process and what inspired some of the writing of this book.
Why Did I choose the California Coast and San Francisco Area as the setting for this book?
I lived in California during the late 70s to early 90s, in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. My time in the Bay Area impressed me the most. I loved the weather, the cool winds, and the fog. The city is diverse with a colorful and exciting collaboration of cultures, the trolleys, and Fisherman’s Wharf.
On a Spring Break during my college days, I visited a cozy little town south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay. It was delightful and impacted me to the point I’d never forgotten it. It was the inspiration for the fictional town of Starlight Bay in my book. I lived in the East Bay south of Oakland and visited San Francisco more times than I can count in my lifetime. It is one of my favorite cities in the world that I’ve traveled. It was fun for me to write scenes in the city and surrounding areas.
My writing is influenced by places I’ve either lived or visited. Just like in the first book of the series, Hall of Deception, my travels to Plymouth, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard inspired me.
Researching for my book:
Research and studying history has always been a hobby. When I started writing historical fiction, I had the skillset built in. I grew up in the 50s and 60s. The era is a part of my past.
For Sea of Doubt, which takes place in 1960, researching the locales spurred my imagination. I learned of many local icons that no longer exist, such as Skateland and golf clubs. Creating a scene in the past that is realistic and pulls my readers into the story is very important to me.
“P.L. Jonas uses every line of description and dialogue to set the scene in Sea of Doubt. Details like saddle-shoes and the Twist combine with language—the slang and the manner of speaking—to evoke the 1960s.”
– S. M. Stevens, award-winning author of Beautiful and Terrible Things
When a review comments on that aspect of my writing, I know I've succeeded.
I am excited to share this next chapter of the Roth Family, Hugh, Dee, and Ellen and hope you check it out and enjoy the journey.
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