Why Las Vegas Became the Heartbeat of My Paranormal Novels
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Why Las Vegas Became the Heartbeat of My Paranormal Novels
Have you ever stood in the middle of a crowded casino, watching the endless parade of humanity swirl around you? That's where my love affair with Las Vegas as a storytelling backdrop began—amidst the dazzling lights, the constant hum of slot machines, and the fascinating spectrum of people who seem to exist in their own private worlds.
A City of Beautiful Contradictions
I thought I would share why I chose Las Vegas as the backdrop for at least my first few books. It's because I have been to the city, and I was very awestruck by all the different people who could come and go, utterly oblivious to their surroundings.
Vegas is a place where everyone is simultaneously connected and disconnected. Tourists brush shoulders with locals. Millionaires share elevator rides with those who just lost their last dollar. All while neon lights flash overhead, creating a dreamscape that feels both real and surreal.
This unique energy makes it the perfect canvas for storytelling. My characters can disappear into crowds or stand out dramatically against the glittering backdrop—whatever the plot demands.
Personal Ties That Bind
Las Vegas isn't just a convenient setting for my fiction. It holds genuine emotional significance in my life journey.
I got married in Las Vegas several years ago, so it holds a special place in my heart. Those memories—the excitement, the spontaneity, the romance—are woven into how I perceive the city.
Returning to Where It All Began
Last year, my spouse and I returned to celebrate one of those milestone anniversaries. We deliberately chose to stay at the same hotel where we exchanged our vows years earlier.
The experience was a fascinating blend of nostalgia and discovery. We found ourselves saying, "Remember when?" as we simultaneously discovered new corners of our special place.
A City That Evolves Yet Remains
Things had changed, but they'd stayed the same. That's the magic of Las Vegas—it constantly reinvents itself while maintaining its essential character. A new restaurant might stand where we once dined, but the spirit of indulgence and celebration remains unaltered.
This contradiction mirrors life itself, doesn't it? We grow and change while our core remains recognizable.
From Personal History to Fictional Universe
And now Las Vegas holds a special place in my characters' hearts. They walk the same streets I've walked, marvel at the same architectural wonders that caught my eye, and navigate the same chaotic energy that makes Vegas uniquely itself.
When I write about my characters experiencing the city, I draw on authentic emotions and observations. That authenticity, I believe, brings them to life in ways that pure imagination never could.
What places have captured your imagination so completely that they've become more than just locations? I'd love to hear about the settings that inspire you in the comments below.