Linwood’s answer to “why do you set your novels in the USA when you are a Canadian ???” > Likes and Comments
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I have no problem with your novels' settings and I am always impressed by your characters' depth. But if I can factcheck your response, the very wonderful Rohinton Mistry was born in/lived in India for 20 years, then moved to Canada. Unless I misunderstood you (which is probable). Anyway...felt like you captured what I know of Canada in your Canada books and what I know of the U.S. (far too much) in your U.S. books.
And as a lifelong Connecticut resident, I can confirm that Linwood's Devon-Milford-area descriptions are quite accurate, [sorry, while I've visited Albany, Lake George, and other parts of upstate New York, I'm not as familiar with Promise Falls, lol]
Saw an interview with Gordon Lightfoot telling the story of how he released an album called "Sit Down Young Stranger" and got a call from his record company that they wanted to release it as "If You Could Read My Mind" in the states. Lightfoot flew down to LA determined to fight tooth and nail for his title but they explained that the title change would mean 10 times the record sales. Well, Lightfoot said, he could do math and thanked them very much and flew home. His next album featured the lyrics "When I walk on my own sod, it feels so good to be home by God" -- esp with a couple extra million in the bank account! Fair play, Linwood. If it's going to put more money in your account than you'd be a blockhead not to do it. Promise Falls works just as well in NY as Ontario -- it ain't Three Pines after all.
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I have no problem with your novels' settings and I am always impressed by your characters' depth. But if I can factcheck your response, the very wonderful Rohinton Mistry was born in/lived in India for 20 years, then moved to Canada. Unless I misunderstood you (which is probable). Anyway...felt like you captured what I know of Canada in your Canada books and what I know of the U.S. (far too much) in your U.S. books.
And as a lifelong Connecticut resident, I can confirm that Linwood's Devon-Milford-area descriptions are quite accurate, [sorry, while I've visited Albany, Lake George, and other parts of upstate New York, I'm not as familiar with Promise Falls, lol]
Saw an interview with Gordon Lightfoot telling the story of how he released an album called "Sit Down Young Stranger" and got a call from his record company that they wanted to release it as "If You Could Read My Mind" in the states. Lightfoot flew down to LA determined to fight tooth and nail for his title but they explained that the title change would mean 10 times the record sales. Well, Lightfoot said, he could do math and thanked them very much and flew home. His next album featured the lyrics "When I walk on my own sod, it feels so good to be home by God" -- esp with a couple extra million in the bank account! Fair play, Linwood. If it's going to put more money in your account than you'd be a blockhead not to do it. Promise Falls works just as well in NY as Ontario -- it ain't Three Pines after all.
I just asked as we put a Canadian Flag on the book at the library (I guess we consider you Canadian...) and then get people asking us WHY it is Canadian when set in the US.
I agree "WHY NOT??? " ... will use that answer next time a patron mentions it.
Happy weekend,
Janet