I know you've all been waiting with bated breath for the answer to clue #3 from this post about a key element in SO. My mom (one of my most faithful readers. Thanks!) came sort of close with her guess about UGA football. So the answer is da da da daaaaaaa: Attending UGA is another major component in the book! At least I think that's why I made it two spaces instead of one (UGA) or three (University of Georgia). Either way, UGA all the way.
Oh, did I just lose some potential readers? Florida fans? Tech fans? Well don't worry I don't bash your schools coughtoomuchcough. Like I've said all along, my book is for the young adult crowd. Did I want to write a book about being in high school? No. Nor do teens want to read about having a job, paying bills and worrying about making rent so I opted for college. 1) I have experience. Four years worth actually. 2) When I was younger I felt like I read a lot of books about middle and high schoolers. Heck, the BSC eternally stayed in junior high. Gearing up for college, sure, and even law school but never really college. That doesn't mean they don't exist but I never stumbled across them (probably because it is something you're not supposed to write about knowing my luck). But the summer before I left for college, I re-read the books I had where the character was going through the same thing (with sweaty palms causing the book to slip out of my hands. I was scared, some may even say terrified of going to college). This way, I would know what to expect and all the awesomeness of college*. So rather than make up a fictional college (Georgia University) in Smathens, I thought why not just fully commit? So I did, I really did.
So UGA and Athens are a major player in the book. Restaurants, bars, and landmarks all make it into the book, or at least my favorite ones do. Do you think I lack all creativity? That might be a safe bet but this is the way I look at it: If I read a book that takes place in New York or New Orleans and the author names a restaurant, a bakery, or even a street, it might really exist. How should I know? I've don't live there; I don't know every nook and cranny of the city. It's just a little homage to the the greatest college town in the world (or the tenth according to away.com).
Plus, I write what I know. This should be obvious by now.
* If anyone has seen the "I Love College" music video by Asher Roth, a song that discusses $1 slices of pizza, skipping class, and beer pong, you know that a billion 14 year olds have commented is this what college is lyke?!?i cant wait 2 go!!!!! So really, I might have stumbled onto something brilliant.
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