The state of New Jersey is really two places - terrible cities and wonderful suburbs. I live in the suburbs the final battleground of the American dream where people get married and have kids and try to scratch out a happy life for themselves. It's very romantic in that way but a bit naive. I like to play with that in my work.
I'm finding as I get older that I'm not much of a believer in redemption. I mean I believe in redemption in real life - redemption does happen and it's cool when it does - but I find myself getting leery of my desire for it in stories (especially my own).