FALLEN ELEMENTS
“The unseen, the unheard, the untouchable is what weaves the fabric of
our see-able universe together.”
- Robin Craig Clark
Kislings Tavern
I clearly don't live in Baltimore. I do, however, consider it my second home. My wife is from the Baltimore area, and her extended family lives in and around the city. To further endear the city to me, it's where Jenn and I got married!
Being raised in Texas, the inner city areas of Baltimore were initially very foreign to me. The zoning is a hodgepodge of residential and commercial locations. I find it charming that you can leave your row house, walk half a block, and there's a bar. In this case, Kislings Tavern.
Kislings is the setting for one of the more energenic scenes in Fallen Elements, and the only place I could imagine writing a flip-cup scene. It was the perfect backdrop for showing the reader that both Ryan and Leah know how to have fun with each other, and in large groups.
I also hope the scene serves as a tutorial to the masses on the art and skill of flip-cup. Enjoy!
Patterson Park
On occasion, the places that appear in my books are born out of necessity. If I am lucky, they are also wonderful, interesting, and help tell a city's story.
This was the case with Patterson Park in Baltimore. Ryan is young, active, and very social. After taking a tour with my sister-in-law, who lives in the Balitmore area, it was clear Ryan would be part of the Baltimore Sports and Social Club (BSSC). This meant she would visit the majestic Patterson Park.
Pickles Pub
Located a mere fifty yards from the entrance to Camden Yards, Pickles Pub is a Baltimore institution!
Even if you have been to Camden Yards a hundred times... even if you've seen the Orioles play countless times... you haven't actually experienced all things Orioles' baseball until you've been to Pickles Pub.
Ryan gently points this fact out to season ticket holder Leah while the two women drink Orange Crushes (Finlandia Tangerine Vodka, Fresh Squeezed Orange, Triple Sec & Lemon-Lime Soda) and scarf down fried pickles.
