The Town of Gilford
One of my first decisions in writing Torn Robes: Choices was deciding where the story would take place. Before I knew it, the colorful town of Gilford was born.
A fictional town, Gilford, is located along the northeast coastline. Where rocky cliffs meet sandy beaches and shimmering blue waters. This picturesque scene can feel inviting one moment and turn into a dark, ferocious force the next.
I understand this, all too well. "The sea is a fickle mistress," as the renowned author Scott O'Dell penned. I grew up along the northeast coastline and find it impossible to be far from it for too long. The ocean, one of God's most precious creations, brings me peace when I am searching for answers or strolling along the water’s edge feeling the sand beneath my feet. However, my youngest daughter can’t stand the feeling of sand on her feet, just like my grandmother. Isn’t it funny how traits get passed down?
I find joy in the smell of its salty air, and yes, it has a distinctive smell, and when the breeze blows, you can taste the salt upon your lips.
As a child and young adult, I spent countless days at the beach with friends and family; the treasured memories linger to this day. I recall watching the fireworks lit from a huge barge in the water while we sat on a blanket spread out in the soft sand. The brilliant colors would explode across the night sky, making the stars seem small in comparison.
It's truly my happy place!
As with any city or town, Gilford needed a past. The northeast coastline is dotted with small fishing towns of old, rich in tradition, stories, and experiences filled with struggles and success.
That is exactly the history I wanted to create for Gilford. The following is an excerpt from Torn Robes: Choices, as two main characters travel through Gilford for the first time.
Krystina took a right-hand turn onto a busy, but scenic street. People bustled in and out of shops and restaurants. Some people strolled in a slow casual stride and others stopped to glance inside the decorated store fronts displaying the shop’s wares. A few motels and inns were sprinkled about.
Krystina did her best to give her guests a guided tour. They drove along through the different sights and sounds that made up Gilford.
Taking it all in, John remembered some of the history he and Sarah had read regarding the town. At the stop sign at the end of the street, the sea lay out before them. Its vast beauty extended beyond the horizon. Krystina turned left. Spotting a parking space beside the sidewalk along the oceanfront, she pulled in. Her guests had a glorious view. "Beautiful, isn't it," Krystina asked. "The ocean has many moods and should always be respected. She is glorious and wondrous to behold. As recipients and trustees of this portion of the Atlantic, Gilford has reaped her bountiful rewards and been the student of countless lessons." Krystina pointed to the right. The harbor was littered with fishing boats coming and going. Fishermen were unloading the day's catch at the warehouses. The trio got out of the car to stretch their legs. Sarah and John watched the vibrant activity play out.
"It looks like the fishing business is still very much alive."
"Not like it once was. Still, it's a major part of Gilford's history and a generational way of life. The lighthouse over there on the jetty," Krystina pointed out, "is a welcome sign for tired fishermen after a long exhausting trip. If you look off into the distance, there's a cruise ship ready to descend upon the harbor." Krystina motioned, holding her hand over her eyes to shield them from the blazing sun.
I wanted Gilford to be one of the once-thriving fishing towns renowned for their bustling harbors and colorful fishing vessels. Where wives and mothers of fishermen stood on the widow's peak atop their homes, anxiously looking for signs of their loved ones' return. Life at sea is challenging and has taken a heavy toll on Gilford. Many families have lost loved ones to the sea, resulting in broken homes and poverty.
As they struggle to adapt to the new ways of life, the people of the town, young and old, have been forgotten by their town officials.
At first glance, it may seem like everything is going well for this small New England town, but all is not as it appears. Like a beautiful painting, the truth that lies beneath the colors and shapes is rarely what you might imagine it to be.
Gilford is a community at a crossroads, facing challenges that leave its youth searching for answers in all the wrong places. Next time, we'll meet one of the individuals who makes up a piece of the fabric, that is Gilford, revealing the heart and soul of this struggling town.