Thoughts on Writing - Blasts from the Past

So in addition to a nice, relaxing spring break, I've been brainstorming a lot on new story ideas. Both of my manuscripts from a few years ago are High Fantasy, so I'm tinkering around with other ideas. The trend seems to be Urban Fantasy and Contemporary Fantasy. Honestly, I need a break from all these New-York based fantasies! One of the things I liked about the Twilight series was just the change in setting - choosing Random, Rural America was very impressive; I hear that Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver also has a rural setting...

I'm a history buff, and for the last few years I've had to take various American history classes, which have rekindled an interest not only in our country's history but also in the changes in cultures over the last few decades. I think it might be fun to blend fantasy elements with a bit of the past - does that sound like something you girls would read?

Here’s my idea:
- A “contemporary fantasy” that’s set…in the past! Apparently, historical fantasies only go up until the 20th century; anything set in the 20th century and beyond, including the decades of the 20th century, is considered “contemporary.” Huh, I didn’t know that!
Some authors are doing this, including Libba Bray, who’s newest series (apparently) has fantasy elements and will be set in the ‘20s - oohhh those flappers!

- I don’t want to spill much on the plot, but right now I’m thinking of either setting my story in the 1950s or the early 1960s
- I’m kind of going back and forth between the two: I like the 1950s better overall, but I like the fashion of the early 1960s (and a lot of that such fashion is making a comeback nowadays!)

or

Is it just me, or do those styles look extremely similar? I guess not everybody in the 60s were hippies!

Anybody have an opinion? Which decade do you like better for a story setting - 50s or 60s?

Cover Wars!

I got a little off-schedule, so I'm bumping Cover Wars up to today!

This week I'm featuring the American-UK Troll Trilogy (since I'm reading them!) and a new trilogy I just discovered - the Moon trilogy by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Here are the American covers:

vs. the original UK covers for the Troll books:

I prefer the UK covers better, and those are the ones we have!

And the Moon American covers:

vs the UK covers:

- This World We Live In will be released in the UK 3 May 2010


Which do you like best?

I had some issues with the Mr. Linky from last week, so if you want to participate in Cover Wars, just drop your link and I'll check it out! :) I'd love it if you used my poster, too!