My latest Work In Progress, which I’m calling The Guardians Trilogy for now, is set in New York. Well, a good chunk of it is anyway. My parents are both from New York, and I lived in Jersey until I was six. We frequently visited my grandmother in Jackson Heights.
Even so, I feel as if I barely know this city that is so important to my personal family history. Yes, I’ve been to the top of the Empire State Building and The Statue of Liberty, but as I began to write my story, I realized I didn’t know New York very well at all.
I’ve never had much of a desire to go back, until now. I’ve done extensive research on neighborhoods, burrows, historic landmarks, and Central Park. Now I have an itching to see them with my own eyes.
Living in the Midwest, I’m as far from the hustle of city life as can be. I wonder sometimes how I would handle moving among the crowds, navigating the subway system, or–dear God–driving in the city.
My kids are still too small to travel to such a busy place with ease. They would love it, I’m sure, but I would not be able to relax. Especially as one of my kids has a tendency to wander off! But I decided, once these books are finished, published, and world famous (just kidding), I’ll plan a trip and we’ll see all the sights mentioned in the books.
Especially the Chrysler Building and Gapstow Bridge, two very important places 😉
Brigid Huey 