Monday, March 28, 2011

Moonglass Inspiration 1: Crystal Cove

A few weeks back, the brilliant Kirsten Hubbard featured a series that highlighted the inspirations for her AMAZING debut novel, LIKE MANDARIN.  I was so intrigued and inspired by her inspirations, I asked if she'd mind if I borrowed her brilliant idea.  Since she's one of the nicest people I've ever met, she said yes!

Soo...

We're gonna kick it off big here, with Setting.  Moonglass is set in Crystal Cove, CA, which is a REAL PLACE!  It's actually a State Park, and if you haven't come for a visit yet, you must. It's a place
made of magic.  Really.  There is something so poignantly beautiful about Crystal Cove that I can’t define it in any other way.  I grew up in the mountains, but I love this place like I’ve been here my whole life. Being here is like falling through a crack in history and going back in time to a place that captures the beauty of simplicity.  From the crash of waves over the rocks to the tumbling-down cottages and serene sunsets, this place inspired MOONGLASS in every sense of the word. 
See for yourself!


An old artist's studio that now houses educational exhibits.



The cottage that inspired Anna's mother's house.  It's actually the one they used in the movie Beaches.


View from a cottage.

The best time of day.

This week, in celebration of Crystal Cove, I'll be giving away the following prize pack to one lucky winner on Saturday:


Crystal Cove T-Shirt, Coffee Mug, Magnet, and assorted maps and other info about my favorite place in the whole wide world:








You know you want to enter...Here's how:

It's easy! Comment on this blog post and you'll automatically be entered to win. 

Wanna snag a few extra entries?  Do this:

*Become a follower of the blog (+1) Give yourself a point if you already are too.  All twelve of you.
*Post a link on your blog (+1)
*Tweet it (+1)
*Share it on FB (+1)

Leave your total numer of entries in your comment.  I'm willing to use the honor system if you are.  Contest closes Friday at noon, PST.  Winner will be announced on Saturday.

Happy Monday!
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33 comments:

  1. Debbie BoucherMarch 28, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    Hey Jessi, hope I'm doing this right. I, too, love Crystal Cove. The irony is I grew up there (actually, in Newport Beach), and now I've lived in Mammoth for 26 years. I love the mountains, too. That's where my books BACK TO NORMAL and the about to be released MILLENNIAL FEARS are set, although BACK TO NORMAL has a fair amount of Newport Beach in it. But back to Crystal Cove. I remember stopping at the Date Shake Shack as a little girl and then wandering down to the beach below. It was semi-private property in those days (Irvine Ranch) so we never stayed long. Now, I go there all the time when I'm down visiting my family in the summer.

    ReplyDelete
  2. SCC DeliveredMarch 28, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    Ok, I know your own mom can't win, but I did share on FB! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  3. LyndaKrisMarch 28, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    Great idea! Crystal Cove is beautiful. I've been once. You are right it is serene. The cottages remind me of the Depression Era when life was simpler and people though struggling knew what was important. I am looking forward to reading the book.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kelley VitolloMarch 28, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    Awesome pictures! I want to go so badly and I can't wait for the book!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Angela AckermanMarch 28, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    Boy, stuck here in Canada's winter, this sure looks like I place I'd rather be.

    I' at 2 points I believe. Congrats on your upcoming release--I took a peek at the blurb and it looks like a great book. :)

    Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

    ReplyDelete
  6. Monica Lauren ChriscoeMarch 28, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    I composed a tweet, I am following your blog, and I am commenting. Beautiful place and loved the movie Beaches! Didn't know about that cabin being in Crystal Cove! Love ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. CrystalMarch 28, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    Those pictures make me want to go there! Bonus! It has my name in it! That kind of stuff is always fun.


    I'm a new follower and my blog link is http://crystalmicsha.blogspot.com (+2)

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    Beautiful, it reminds me of one of the beaches I use to go to on the weekends when I lived in Antigua. There was even a small restaurant that looked similar to the old artist's studio.

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Beautiful pictures

    ReplyDelete
  10. ScootMarch 28, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    I have never been to Crystal Cove but it looks lovely!! I would love to visit. I *heart* the beach. Thanks for the chance to win!

    +1 for tweet: (retweet) http://twitter.com/#!/bethrevis/status/52393326883778560

    seescotread[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  11. ÉtaínMarch 28, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Heya! Such pretty, pretty pictures. I tweeted which comes through to my FB, and am following, so that's . . . 4, I think?

    I'm also looking forward to the book. =D

    (I'm not really Chuck Carmichael. I used this account for really geeky things like RP logs.)

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    The book sounds super interesting and these photos are beautiful! I would love to be there right now instead of freezing in this cold.

    tweeted: _loreal +1
    following + 1
    tumblr: lorealkids.tumblr.com +1
    FB: +1


    e:mail: lacrossex3@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. AllieMarch 28, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    Crystal Cove is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world. Everytime I walk down the path leading to the beach, I get chills! Can't wait to recieve my two copies of Moonglass I preordered from Amazon MONTHS AGO!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Alexis SalcidoMarch 28, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    I cannot wait to read MOONGLASS, I've been wanting it for the longest time!!! :D :D :D

    I followed-+1
    I tweeted-+1-alexis_03912
    total=2

    Thanks so much for this giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  15. lfgMarch 28, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    I so need to visit Crystal Cove.

    Very cool giveaway

    Thanks for sharing.
    Lori

    Comment +1
    Followed +1
    Retweet +1

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    I'm intrigued by the book and the setting! Can't wait to read MOONGLASS!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Carolina M. Valdez SchneiderMarch 28, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    I sighed out loud when I saw that beach house! Loved BEACHES. It makes me want to ready your book extra extra extra bad now. Can't wait. Super prizes, Jessi.

    I also realized I need to update your blog address on my sidebar. I have your old one still up.

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    Beautiful pictures! I tweeted, so...+1

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    You've got me researching whether I can get there this summer. Looks beautiful -- and I'm looking forward to reading MOONGLASS!

    ReplyDelete
  20. GhostFolk.comMarch 28, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    I love this series, Jessi! And I do want to know ALL your inspirations. :-) Please exclude me from the contest, though. I'm pre-ordered already and I would love for someone else to have a copy of Moonglass! Entries = 0

    ReplyDelete
  21. TerryLynnJohnsonMarch 29, 2011 at 5:17 AM

    What a brilliant idea for promotion, Jessi. So interesting it see the setting. I just noticed I wasn't following, so fixed that. Also tweeting this fab. contest. I can't wait to read this!

    ReplyDelete
  22. AkossMarch 29, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    New follower here and I tweeted it under @akossket.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nancy NaigleMarch 29, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    What a wonderful spot! I love it. *Daydreaming I'm in Crystal Cove now~

    ReplyDelete
  24. VivienMarch 29, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  25. VivienMarch 29, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    I wish I was on a beach right now...
    +1 comment
    +1 new follower
    total=2

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnneMarch 30, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    I'm so excited to read Moonglass, it sounds fabulous! I've never been far enough west to make it to CA but I'll be sure to visit Crystal Cove if I ever do.

    +2 for comment, and now following.

    Anne
    greenparrot55 [at] hotmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownMarch 30, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Okay, now I want to GO to Crystal Cove. I already can't wait to read Moonglass. New follower!
    Kristie
    javaintheam at hotmail dot com
    so...2 entries
    Sigh. I wish I was in that cottage right now...
    no, in a hammock next to that cottage...

    ReplyDelete
  28. UnknownMarch 31, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    It looks like a very inspiring place! Congratulations on your upcoming release!

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownMarch 31, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    What a beautiful place, I'm wishing I was there right now as we are expecting snow tomorrow...Can't wait to read the book, congratulations!
    2 entries
    kpg813@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sonia G MedeirosMarch 31, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Count me in! Crystal Cove reminds me of my hometown growing up. Very pretty!

    Am a follower +1
    Tweeted +1

    :D

    ReplyDelete
  31. ArtemisGMarch 31, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Great post and the pictures are amazing. Count me if it's international giveaway.
    I am a new follower via GFC as Diana
    Tweeted it: https://twitter.com/#!/artdem83/status/53530078046453760
    Shared it on FB: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1522821560

    total: 4

    artgiote at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. CarolynApril 1, 2011 at 4:25 AM

    Beautiful! Would love to win!!

    http://thebackyardbeautyandbookboutique.blogspot.com/

    i tweeted it

    i am a new follower

    so 3 points

    thank you

    ReplyDelete
  33. Catch My WordsApril 3, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    Sure! I'll enter, and three extra points for following blog, providing a link on my blog, and tweeting. Please consider following my blog back.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com
    Twitter - @Joyce_Lansky

    Thanks for the contest!

    ReplyDelete

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