I've been reading a lot of urban fantasy these days. At the moment, Ben Aaronovitch's Peter Grant series is taking up my reading time and I'm always amazed by his stories, writing style and characters. It's quickly becoming one of my favourite series'. I also got started on the 'Mortal Instruments' as well, but I won't read the rest. It didn't capture my attention the same way Peter Grant has. Anyway, urban fantasy, stories that are set entirely in a city that feature fantasy elements like the supernatural and the mythical. It's awesome if done right, and what I love about the Peter Grant books is how different they are to anything else I've read. It's magic, wizards and supernatural, but in unpredictable ways. Like, hardly any vampires for a kickoff. In light of this new fantastic literary discovery, I've been thinking about perhaps writing some urban fantasy of my own, but I'm caught up in my own work at the moment so such thoughts have to stay behind for now. Still, it has got me thinking a lot about urban life though.
Mercy in the City
I said so in a previous blog post, 'I Am A Vampire' that I want to live in America, preferably a landlocked state like Colorado. That being said, I do like my cities. Here in England, we have our fair share of countryside and I live in Somerset, quite hilly and full of people who, from the impressions I get, have always lived here and won't move away. I couldn't live like that, but I'm not from these parts. Before living here for about ten years, I always moved from one town to another all over the country thanks to my dad's army shindig. So, I made friends at my own peril but considering my age during those times, I wouldn't have grown much of an attachment to them or the places I lived. My memory is scattered from those days, I remember some houses, some people, a place snowbound to the waist and killing time playing footie with my brother. I've never felt any emotional attachment to any place I've been before, not even here. In fact, I can't wait to leave Somerset and live alone somewhere. It'll be a long time before I cross the pond to America, but still, you never know.
But, before I defect to America, I'd like to live in the city, maybe London. Not really sure why, but I know I hate living in the country. Sure, my town is pretty big but there's green everywhere. I'd like to spend my England days in a city, not to mention its qualities for meeting contacts and just being more in tune with the literary world. I'd say London would be the ideal place to go. Who knows when that will be, but the day I can move away from home can't come a day sooner. Now, one place I wouldn't like to live, even though so many guys out there love it, is New York City. When I went a few years ago, it was so hectic, cramped, smelly and devoid of any character. It's not like it is in the movies, at least not for me. Then again, maybe London's the same. London is definitely a lot more attractive than New York. Like Los Angeles, there's only a few skyscrapers so you really notice them and appreciate them, unlike New York which flashes them like cheap jewelry as if it thinks it's cool. Less is better. The ideal city I'd love to live in would be Denver. I mean, look at it! It's in Colorado, a beautiful part of the world and the skyline has only a few tall buildings and in the distance the Rocky Mountains stand tall over the Mile High City. It's biblical. London has it's historic River Thames, Los Angeles as its sun-soaked climate and what does New York have? Nothing that interesting. Oh, apart from Central Park.
But, before I defect to America, I'd like to live in the city, maybe London. Not really sure why, but I know I hate living in the country. Sure, my town is pretty big but there's green everywhere. I'd like to spend my England days in a city, not to mention its qualities for meeting contacts and just being more in tune with the literary world. I'd say London would be the ideal place to go. Who knows when that will be, but the day I can move away from home can't come a day sooner. Now, one place I wouldn't like to live, even though so many guys out there love it, is New York City. When I went a few years ago, it was so hectic, cramped, smelly and devoid of any character. It's not like it is in the movies, at least not for me. Then again, maybe London's the same. London is definitely a lot more attractive than New York. Like Los Angeles, there's only a few skyscrapers so you really notice them and appreciate them, unlike New York which flashes them like cheap jewelry as if it thinks it's cool. Less is better. The ideal city I'd love to live in would be Denver. I mean, look at it! It's in Colorado, a beautiful part of the world and the skyline has only a few tall buildings and in the distance the Rocky Mountains stand tall over the Mile High City. It's biblical. London has it's historic River Thames, Los Angeles as its sun-soaked climate and what does New York have? Nothing that interesting. Oh, apart from Central Park.
When Home Becomes A Place You've Never Been
I've never really felt that attached to England. Yeah, I set my stories in England because it's where I'm from and I have much more understanding of England and English people than any other, obviously. That probably goes with any writer and their nationality. Americans understand Americans more, for example. Anyway, I couldn't see myself living here all my life. I've always felt more attached to America. I'd like to tell you what started this love affair, but I can't because I have no idea. Reading 'Stephen Fry: In America' pretty much sold the idea of moving away, add that to the amount of American literature I read, I guess you could say that I am a secret American. That's fine by me. Yeah, I'd like to live in the city. London in England, and Denver in America, but ultimately, the place I want to rest my head at is a snowy American skiing town like Aspen. But, until then, I'll stick with this place and dream a little more. And I've said 'American' so many times it's lost all meaning. American. American. American.
Back to that urban fantasy idea I never spoke about, I don't know what it would be, but I'd like to write something in urban fantasy. Not sure what, and it's not like something I can think up on the spot either. Reading and playing games always snaps up a small idea, a seed for something bigger but I'm usually up to my eyes in a current project so I can't get on with the idea. Multitasking isn't something I'm great at, at least not for writing. It's one project and one only. It works for me. Who knows, maybe I'll come up with something and try my luck at urban fantasy. Kudos to those who write it though. After reading 'City of Bones', my head had trouble understanding a lot of it and fantasy is a great genre for creating a series, and me and series' get along as well as wasps and me alone in a room with the windows closed.
Well, that's what I think anyway. America has always been the place I've wanted to live, at least somewhere along the Rocky Mountains anyway. Who knows, maybe I'll be there next year, small chance, but still. As long as one works hard, doesn't let the dream burn out and doesn't give a damn what any naysayers say, one can get to the finish line. And with that corny line, consider that your right to dream big.
Songs of the Week:
Back to that urban fantasy idea I never spoke about, I don't know what it would be, but I'd like to write something in urban fantasy. Not sure what, and it's not like something I can think up on the spot either. Reading and playing games always snaps up a small idea, a seed for something bigger but I'm usually up to my eyes in a current project so I can't get on with the idea. Multitasking isn't something I'm great at, at least not for writing. It's one project and one only. It works for me. Who knows, maybe I'll come up with something and try my luck at urban fantasy. Kudos to those who write it though. After reading 'City of Bones', my head had trouble understanding a lot of it and fantasy is a great genre for creating a series, and me and series' get along as well as wasps and me alone in a room with the windows closed.
Well, that's what I think anyway. America has always been the place I've wanted to live, at least somewhere along the Rocky Mountains anyway. Who knows, maybe I'll be there next year, small chance, but still. As long as one works hard, doesn't let the dream burn out and doesn't give a damn what any naysayers say, one can get to the finish line. And with that corny line, consider that your right to dream big.
Songs of the Week:
- 'Mistakes of My Youth' by Eels
- 'Where I'm From' by Eels
- 'From Heads Unworthy' by Rise Against
- 'Redemption' by Frank Turner
- 'I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous' by Frank Turner
- 'The District Sleeps Alone Tonight' by The Postal Service