Picking The Right Donut Shop: ‘Sense Of Place’ In Novels

Joshilyn Jackson says sense of place can be evoked in writing without using a real location for inspiration.

Decatur author Joshilyn Jackson wants to get “sense of place” right in the novel she’s working on, which is set in a fictional small town in Alabama. Sometimes that means picking the right donut shop, rather than the right town.

In this installment of “Writer to Reader” for “City Lights,” Jackson explains her decision not to use a real small town as the model for her fictional one. She notes her desire “to evoke the feeling of this town, not the town itself.”

Jackson also discusses the upcoming holiday shopping season, which includes Small Business Saturday and Indies First, a campaign to support independent bookstores. Several local bookstores in the metro Atlanta area will have author signings and readings.