Want to write a song? Or make a movie? Or write a poem? Or write the next great American novel?
Use landmarks.
Put something in that people are familiar with. It is the postcard wrap-up of a location.
People relate to frequent traveled roadways. Travelogue sites like government buildings or prisons might not be as charming, but restaurants will hit the spot.
Take the time to talk to the locals and find the sites that everyone knows or remembers. Landmarks will draw your audience in.
Be sure to keep your references up-to-date.
If you talk a restaurant, is it still open? If you speak of a section of town, has it changed? Even historical landmarks may have different reactions now. Rivers are pretty steady to use.
Here you can talk about going down to the Quarry or the Pony Pasture or Bosher’s Dam. You could use landmarks like the WTVR tower and Sailor Bob or those who are missing like Bill’s Barbecue or getting a double cheese pizza at Julian’s before going next door to see ‘Easy Rider’ at the Capitol Theatre before taking acid and climbing up Ole Rag mountain. You could go highbrow with CCV parties or rolling down the hills at the Jefferson’s Greek inspired governmental cathedral. You could make it homemade like Millie’s, 3rd Street Diner, Perley’s, the Massad House or see if anyone remembers Tantilla or Grant’s Tomb? You could turn off Broad Street into Scott’s Addition or take a stroll down CaryTown to Cha Cha’s. You can walk down the Avenue of Monuments to defeated general who are now gone for the Easter Parade or drive down the Powhite (you figure your pronouncement) Parkway to Bon Air or Brandermill.
Every area has landmarks that give an emotional connection and draws the reader, viewer or listener in. If you have a play, you better reference the Eiffel Tower. If you are in small town American, the Dairy Queen is a prefect stop for every town has one?
Like a certain hairdo or style of clothing, a landmark can give a reference to time and place.
