Funny how you never see the fog in Hollywood movies on San F

And, um, when you say FOGGY, do you mean, "Jim, I can't see my fingers in front of my face?" or more like, "There is a mist about your person?"

I'm worried that the weather conditions might not be as good as I thought it was (grrr Hollywood for misleading me). Most of the action in the book happens at night, though, so maybe by then things will have cleared up and it will merely be a little chilly and a little misty?

I'm kind of struggling with the concept of character death in my plot right now...so here's how far I've gotten in my own thought process:

*presumably if you're using death as a “plot device”, such as to show the ruthlessness of the evil guy, or to make the hero do deeds he would otherwise not do, it is better to kill off an important side character (aka Dumbledore) rather than a main character (aka Ron). I know some of the people who have commented above have talked about the possiblity of alienating readers by killing off a loved character, but I can't really think of anyone who went, okay, that's it, no more Harry Potter for me, Dumbledore's dead.

*this is really unprofessional, but I'm torn by the thought of killing my characters *wail*

*but yet it feels like in a huge huge war that takes out half the world, SOME of the characters should at least be maimed. I mean, no matter how good they are, you can't be alert and lucky and all that FOREVER. Of course, there is plenty of internal strife to be found, but death does give more ”shock” when making the point

Why is it that humans have this thing for crazy dead beings???

Cool. Would love to see it!

Wonder if the owners would mind me "borrowing" their house?

Ah. Google maps. Street view.

I think I'm in love

I'm imagining what a guy swinging a bunch of keys would look like in a fight...and it looks kind of tough and I'm actually liking it!

Of course, it's not as cool as, say, throwing a fireball (nudge nudge Harry Dresden), but hey, whatever you've got...

Yeah, Muse, you hear that? NO STATELY HOUSES AVALIABLE!!!!

*Muse sighs*

Oh, well, it was a nice image while it lasted

Back to the weather--does this mean that it rains more in the morning and afternoons and less so at night? (You know, if one were to base one's knowledge of San Fran on films and movies, one would believe that it NEVER rains in SF, except when the broken-hearted guy is walking--in slow motion--back home from his (ex) girfriend's house LOL)

So...I'm working on a sci-fi tale at the moment, and it's set in San Francisco (why set it in a city I have never been to? No idea. But Muse says San Francisco, and when Muse talks, I do )

I'm hoping that someone who lives in the city or has been there many times can help me out with this. My questions are:

1) which area of San Fran would clubs (night clubs) be likely to be located in?

2) which is an area where the poorer people live (one of the characters is unemployed, where would he be likely to live?)

3) which is an area that you would NEVER walk through after dark, even if someone PAID you, because chances are you would get mugged. And re-mugged. And maybe mugged some more. Like rough neighborhoods are what I'm after.

4) which is a more suburban-y place where you see nice houses with four floors and an attic, and a nice front yard, and driveway and all. I'm hoping for somewhere slightly secluded, too. Don't worry about the price range--the characters are rich, they can afford it

5) a nice coffee shop that most people would know and go to (and please not $tarbucks. Please)

6) a mall or shopping area located close to the place where the poorer people live (I know, why would someone build a mall near people who don't have the cash to buy stuff? But just close-ish would be good enough. Maybe biking distance?)

7) and, not really a location question, more of a culture question--is Wiccan/magic type of stuff widely accepted in San Francisco?

I know that's a lot of questions!! It would be cool if you could answer just one; you don't have to answer all of them in one go!!

Deepest thanks in advance to anyone who can help ^^