It’s pretty perfect if you ask me

Have you ever stumbled upon a place so breathtakingly beautiful that it seems too good to be true? A place that inspires you and sparks your imagination? For me, such a place formed the backdrop of my novel, 'Sophomore Summer'. Today, I'd love to give you a behind-the-scenes tour of where the magic happens for Noli and her family.

The setting for 'Sophomore Summer' came to me during a visit to a friend's home in Utah. The house, cozily nestled near a shimmering man-made private lake, was something straight out of a dream. As I stood there, soaking in the picturesque view, my friend whimsically said, "The only thing that would make this more perfect is a golf course." Well, a writer's mind is never far from their craft, and this off-hand remark sparked the idea for Noli's home in my story.

Although the setting is fictional, it captures the essence of my friend's near-perfect home and even includes the imagined golf course. In 'Sophomore Summer', Noli's family lives in an idyllic private oasis, complete with a tranquil lake that's perfect for paddle boarding and wake surfing. Their home is a stone's throw away from a lush, manicured golf course that adds an extra touch of luxury to their affluent lifestyle. It's a paradise where every day feels like a summer vacation.

The exclusivity of their home is matched by their choice of education, with Noli and her siblings attending a prestigious private school. Their privileged life allows them the opportunity to pursue their passions, whether that's dancing for Noli's younger sister, Jazzy, or golfing for Noli herself.

Creating this setting was an exciting journey for me. I wanted to portray a world where the constraints of reality are slightly stretched to make room for the dreamy, romantic escapades of adolescence. Through 'Sophomore Summer', I hope to share the splendor of this place with you, hoping it becomes a beloved fictional escape as it has for me.

Until the next post, Chase Tatum