Writing Local

Shop Talk: Writing Local, by Irene Fantopoulos

Toronto's CN Tower -- What does it invoke for you? Write your answer in the comments.

When I wrote my first crime novel, All the Evil Scatters, I set it in Toronto, where I have lived most of my life. After the novel was published, I received a comment that has stuck with me and reaffirmed my choice: “… Love the fact the book is set unapologetically in Toronto …” Recent events in Canada, which united Canadians

to “buy local,” reinforced the importance of writing about the communities in which we live. The connection between a story and its setting deepens when our cities come into life in our writing. Writing about a familiar locale showcases its essence and identity. The city becomes a living, breathing entity within the narrative.

The City as a Character

The location of the crime story becomes a character: relatable, recognizable, and riveting. The city has a rhythm, look and feel, and thousands of glass windows peering at the reader. These characteristics are different for each city and identifiable through common experiences. People recognize a local landmark, restaurant, or neighbourhood with its diverse look and feel. Look at the city through the eyes of your characters.

Imagining the City

Become a tourist in your city. Take your laptop or pad and pen and use your senses to observe, inhale, touch, listen, and taste your city. Sensory stimuli will overwhelm and become integrated into your story and characters. As you sit on a park bench and examine your surroundings, look at the solo house amid the dozens of condos. What’s the story? What hidden mysteries lie within the walls of a 50-year-old restaurant? There’s always a story in every corner of the city — waiting to be uncovered.

Showcasing the City

As Canadians, let's showcase the richness of our land, people, and culture. Our cities serve as the heart of the vibrant universe we create, revealing the hidden gems within our streets, laneways, and avenues that can lead to extraordinary storytelling. In these spaces, small moments—like an alleyway or public market—can breathe life into a scene. The city's urban texture may reflect the characters' inner turmoil or peace, adding depth to one’s story.

Write What You Know

As writers we know Canada and its communities best — we take liberties and fictionalize our work, including the city. We will change the street name, topography, landscape, and possibly even the name of a restaurant. But the elements are there, and the locale resonates with readers. Yonge Street instantly places the reader in Toronto, conjuring a specific memory of the street. I know I’m not alone in writing about what I know, but writing locally often consumes my practice. It’s a way of anchoring the narrative in something real and tangible that readers can relate to.

In my upcoming book, Murders in Deer Park, the story unfolds in mid-town Toronto. Here, the houses that once dotted the many streets have become townhouses or condos. Secrets wait to be discovered. Reimagining familiar spaces, bringing them into a story through the lens of fiction, can be magical.

First appeared in April 2025 Crime Writers of Canada Newsletter (SouthWest, North & GTA Regions)