looking for a setting for book (Durango, Pagosa Springs: homes, live, rich)

[aphotomom]

Hey all you Colorado experts. I'm looking for a small town near the Ute reservation that has some fairly expensive homes. Something that is surrounded by wilderness and is within maybe 30 miles of the reservation. Anyone have any suggestions for an interesting town like this? Thanks!

[jazzlover]

Durango.

Of course, it takes more than some cursory research to write a good novel (I am a published author, among other things). I always admired Tony Hillerman's work--his books set on the various reservations of New Mexico were impeccably researched. Of course, he lived in New Mexico, and spent about a HALF-CENTURY rattling around in the region of which he wrote. Go do that here, and then you can probably write a credible novel that an old-line Coloradan can read and say, "Yeah, that is the way it is." Until then, it's just more pulp fiction.

[Coloradoan]

Pagosa Springs is another option; smaller than Durango, close to the Ute reservation, quite a few expensive homes, and surrounded by some outstanding wilderness.

Tony Hillerman passed away about a year ago. He was very well-respected down here in the Four Corners area by people both on and off the reservations. He was definitely an author that “walked the talk.”

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Too bad about Tony Hillerman passing. I always enjoyed reading his books, and assumed (hoped) that his protrayals of the native peoples was accurate.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

Durango.

Of course, it takes more than some cursory research to write a good novel (I am a published author, among other things). I always admired Tony Hillerman's work--his books set on the various reservations of New Mexico were impeccably researched. Of course, he lived in New Mexico, and spent about a HALF-CENTURY rattling around in the region of which he wrote.

John Nichols.

[CAVA1990]

Just curious - why does this place need to have "expensive homes"? Is the premise of your story perhaps that some bored rich anglo housewife hooks up with a dude off the res?

[aphotomom]

CAVA1990, now why would you say that? Couldn't it be a beautiful woman from the reservation seduces a dude in the "expensive home"? Ha, it's neither but it could be....it's a young adult book and it's very complicated and not very developed yet either..that's all I'll say but thanks for all of the information everyone.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by aphotomom

CAVA1990, now why would you say that? Couldn't it be a beautiful woman from the reservation seduces a dude in the "expensive home"? Ha, it's neither but it could be....it's a young adult book and it's very complicated and not very developed yet either..that's all I'll say but thanks for all of the information everyone.

Actually I like that better. How about sticking a time travel element in there? She's from 150 years ago but they don't realize it right away since they're both on horseback when they meet. Oh well, it's your book.