What do you do when an effortless summer style of the past merges with the present in such a beautiful, timeless way? You embrace it, of course! Meet the East Coast Romantic and the overall vibe of my female main character in my next book. The East Coast element is a state of mind more than a residence. It’s someone who feels at home near the coast, even when on vacation. And the romantic part is someone who stops to notice life, instead of chronicling for others to see. As a writer and creative, it’s only when I put my phone away that I can take it all in and be present. So in essence, it’s a state of mind. Also, in case you were wondering, age has no boundaries.
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When I start to write characters, I always feel like they have a bit of me in there somewhere. With this character, Sera, my East Coast Romantic, we have more than a few things in common. Like me, she’s a romance writer, loves love in any form, fancies a good floral dress, and stops to smell the roses. Unlike me, she has auburn hair, steely blue eyes, and a layered past no one will expect. I love this character! She is so different than any other character I’ve written. The outside doesn’t match the inside, but that’s what makes her interesting and fun to write. This creates great tension and interiority, which is the key to any unputdownable book. Fingers crossed, I can pull it off. It’s Message in a Bottle meets Bridges of Madison County.
One look at this picture below, and I knew I had my main character, Sera (Seraphina) Sherwood. From there, I wanted to mix light with dark, joy with secrets, in an irresistible East Coast setting. I love the process of character development and also coining a term or vibe for my FMC. East Coast Romantic felt like it encompassed everything I felt about her. In my debut novel, The Summer I Found You, which is set to release on April 7, 2026, I coined the term “Coast Niece.” I also created a post about the Coastal Auntie, which you may already be familiar with, as it’s similar to the Coastal Grandmother.
So, what are the key elements of the East Coast Romantic? Well, first, she’s a hopeless romantic. Despite what she’s been through, she remains hopeful about connection and love. She finds solace in nature and a good book. When the world gets noisy, that’s where she goes. She loves styles of yesteryear and finds ways to modernize them. Floral dresses are her go-to (and mine), and she dresses for herself. It’s a bonus if a girl or woman compliments her. The art of noticing is always at the forefront of her mind, and what makes her a good writer, typically. And this should be a given, but she loves fragrant flowers, especially jasmine and gardenia.
This hotel on Shelter Island is my muse for the book’s setting. John and I have been going to the Pridwin for decades and have seen the changes after the incredible renovation. It’s such a gem of a spot. The entire island is, and that’s what I thought it would be, a great place for my next book.
A few staples for this look are a chambray shirt, a white t-shirt, linen pants and shorts, floral dresses, comfortable slip-ons, a carry-all, a straw hat, or a scarf. Fun pajamas are a plus. You can find these looks and more below. This post contains affiliate links.
Have a happy day, friend! More to come!
