Last weekend, my husband and I attended a family wedding in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Though we didn’t have a chance to do much touring, we did drive through the town and neighboring Gatlinburg. We noticed that the shops, amusements, and attractions reminded us of another vacation spot we enjoy, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Except we were in the beautiful Smoky Mountains rather than at the sunny beach.
The tourist towns did their best to appeal to what their audiences want, yet each is unique. For instance, Tennessee boasts pottery made by local artisans while you’ll find opportunities to buy magnificent shells at the beach. Yet you’ll find frozen yogurt, putt-putt golf, carnival rides, concerts, restaurants, and other attractions at both locales.
Since I love books, I couldn’t help but make a comparison, and genre fiction came to mind. Each story holds elements of appeal to their audience. For instance, no romance novel is devoid of a heroine and hero falling in love. No mystery novel leaves the crime unsolved. Yet each story contains its own unique elements that readers will find fresh and enjoyable. Which is why readers keep reading!
Your turn:
What is your favorite vacation spot? Why do you return to it year after year?
What is your favorite genre fiction? What is its appeal to you?
Do you have a favorite author who writes a certain type of fiction, yet stays fresh?
You were right next to our favorite spot! We stay in Wears Valley which is about 5 miles down the road. We love the mountains, but hate the crowds in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Thanks for the post. I enjoyed it!
Tom, thanks for the tip. We’ll have to check out Wears Valley!
Oh Tamela – – you were in my family’s FAVORITE place(s)!!! Years ago my husband and I honeymooned in Gatlinburg, and for years that town AND Pigeon Forge have been where we usually vacation (in addition to our Georgia coast). 🙂
And ditto what Tom said about Wears Valley – – truly God’s country in that area (and no crowds!).
Thank you for this post today (except now I’m longing to return to east Tennessee *sigh*). 😉
Hugs, Patti Jo
Patti Jo,
We honeymooned there too. That was my first visit to Gatlinburg. It has a special place in my heart. 🙂
I know that place in the photo very well!
We visit Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge every year. We love it for the food, (you can’t beat The Old Mill, Bennets, and the Apple Barn!) the laid back atmosphere, and the people–We LOVE the people in the south 🙂 I hope you enjoyed your time down there. It’s a gem of a place! (Oh, and they have the best aquarium on the east coast)
My favorite genre would have to be historical romance. I love picking up a good read and finding myself learning while enjoying the plot, twists, and surprise ending.
I couldn’t pick just one favorite author. I love several for different reason. For instance, Dan Walsh brings fresh stories to life in his historicals. I love Sarah Sundin’s books because they are based around the military and she pays careful attention to detail. I know I am getting fact when I read her books. The same goes for the Thoene’s. They spend so much time on research.
Thanks for today’s post. I enjoyed reading it and love the photo. 🙂
Thank you, Rachel! And I love Dan’s books too!
I guess I’m in the minority here. 🙂 I live out west (Colorado), so I haven’t been to Gatlinburg. Sigh. It must be beautiful though. 🙂 Our family loves to vacation in Estes Park, CO, and in Hawaii (where my inlaws live). If it’s just my honey and me, we enjoy going to the mountains, hiking and relaxing as we listen to a river running over rocks.
As for genre fiction, I read across a number of genres. I enjoy contemporary, women’s fiction, romance, some historical. My current favorite authors are Rachel Hauck and Susan May Warren. I love their voices, descriptions and characters!
Jeanne, Estes Park was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. EVER. And Hawaii? Now I’ll sigh. (Note to self: Thou shalt not covet.)
Meghan, we love Estes Park. I’m so glad someone else knows it. 🙂 The kids love Hawaii even more than I do. 🙂
Jeanne,
I think our mountains would look more like ‘hills’ to you since you live out west 🙂 I’ve heard it is just gorgeous out there. One day you’ll have to visit Gatlinburg though. (especially if you like hiking and sitting by the river) 😉 It truly is beautiful.
I was recently gifted with a 12 day cruise from Barcelona to Turkey and back. Now, we have 4 kids, we don’t do vacations to different places that involve hotels or even camping. We rendezvous with hub’s family at a camp for the deaf. Same place , every year. Did I mention the whole in-laws thing? Yeah. Every summer for, ohhhh, 20 years?
So imagine my flaming Ellie-May Clampett-ness to be on a 5 star cruise ship with my mom and actually have chocolates on my pillow every night. Dressing for dinner. Seeing people look down their diamonds at other people with less diamonds.
We hung out with nice people who didn’t have the my diamonds vs your diamonds issues.
Will I return year after year? Only if I sell a kidney to a sickly billionaire.
I love hist/fic, any era, any place.
I also love Dee Henderson, Jeanette Windle, Beth Vogt, and on and on she goes…
Favourite author? Laura Frantz. And Lori Benton. Don’t make me choose.
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I’m not sure where it fits in genre, perhaps contemporary drama, but I like psychological suspense. Perceptions of reality vary so much from person to person that the clash of those realities can be hard to untangle. I loved Chris Fabry’s Dogwood and the eye-openers at the end of which perceived realities were real and which weren’t.
Contrast inspires me, too, Tamela.
My family goes to Holden Beach almost every year. It’s not very touristy and you can kick back and really enjoy the beach.
It’s a time to relax, enjoy being a family, and grow closer to God.
Brandilyn Collins is one of my all time favorite authors. She never lets me down.
I live in KY so I might try to check out Wears Valley that Tom mentioned. We enjoy Gatlinburg, but on vacation I don’t enjoy fighting the crowds or sitting in traffic for hours.
I liked this line: “Yet each story contains its own unique elements that readers will find fresh and enjoyable.”
In the English language, we have a mere 26 letters. (Russian has 33.) Yet, authors take those 26 little building blocks and keep rearranging them into countless new tales. Sure, there are similarities, yet each narrative is its own world from beginning to end.
Ohhh, gee thanks. Now I’m at work wishing I was at my favorite place in the world … Rome. Espresso. Espresso. Esssssspresssssoooo… K. I’m back now.
Favorite genre is everything Historical Romantic Suspense. AND author? My beautiful Colleen Coble. She’s the best! Love her and her books! And I’m quickly becoming a rabid Olivia Newport and Elizabeth Camden and Ludwig fan!
What a lovely place, I’ll add it to my bucket list of places to visit. I love Western Montana. The beauty of the rugged mountains, star-filled sky and lush valley, beckons me.
The people are friendly, generous and kind.
My favorite genre is Inspirational Romance. Love and faith is what makes life enjoyable. Its where the deepest of lows and highest of heights are experienced. Its what makes the world go round.
I am a big Debbie Macomber fan. Her writing style draws me in. I love how she tortures her characters, but leaves me with a sweet ending. She’s been my inspiration to write romance.
Are you watching Debbie’s series on the Hallmark channel? I think it’s Cedar Cove and it comes on Saturday nights.
My favorite spot is Mackinac Island. We try to go every year.
Favorite vacation spot – Basin-Robbins Ice Cream in Los Lunas, NW – about 15 miles away. I like Pink Bubblegum. Barbara likes Pralines and Cream and, Mint and Chip
See, we run a sanctuary for abused and abandoned dogs, and their needs trump our desires. For them, and the love in their hearts – it’s life or death.
My wife reads more fiction than I do, so I’ll speak for her.
Barbara loves Christian romantic fiction, with a Lancaster County setting. Beverly Lewis is a hands-down favorite for her. She likes the decency and solid faith of the Amish – and the challenges of the frontier.
And Ms. Lewis always keeps the stories and characters alive and vital.
Fav genre?
Fun, gooey, sappy, happily-ever-after romances with depth and heart!
Thanks to Jeanne for the shout out!
Rachel
My family gravitates to Monterey. The ocean, the otters, the Aquarium, and cheesy tourist stores 🙂
I also love a good romance, historical or contemporary. And Rachel Muller – you’re a sweetheart for mentioning me!
LOL, You know me well enough, Sarah 😉