"Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar" *
For me, the greatest side benefits of writing fiction are learning about new things and traveling to places I've never been. As I’ve mentioned, research is crucial to a great story, but it also contributes to the rewarding outcome of having all the ideas and details hammered into place.
For example, the starting point for Trapped in Epitome was my curiosity regarding the lobstering industry. Seizing an opportunity to travel along the coast of Maine while researching this book, I gathered specific details that helped shape the story to make it resonate not only for the reader, but for myself (i.e. collecting the sea glass). Once I discovered those grounding ideas, I let my protagonist, Claire, lead me to where I needed to go, or what I needed to learn. The struggle of “finding oneself” came to light for several characters. The hard work and often dangerous nature of lobstering was as palatable on the air as the salt from the ocean. I could sense how scary a killer on the loose could be . . . even in such beautiful settings. I even asked a lobsterman if the boat's hauler could support the weight of a dead body . . . Oh, the look on his face! These little instances became my treasures, aside from, yet intertwined with the story and characters I created. My mind whirled on a surge of imagination and discovery . . . During my last night in Maine a fog rolled up the street to the steps of the bed and breakfast, and I could picture the climax of the book. I rushed home, ready to start writing.
*quote by E.B. White
“When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people not characters. A character is a caricature.”
- Ernest Hemingway
Why is traveling to a setting location so important for my research? Aside from the obvious—you have to know what you’re talking about—it:
- Adds resonance to the story, and also provides fantastic nuggets of ideas and information I can’t learn from books or cruising the Internet.
- Helps me understand the characters' motivations or goals better, fixes any misconceptions I had about the setting, and has even helped me make plot decisions.
- Allows me to talk with locals – they know everything, and are more likely to share face-to-face when asking questions about their home.
Sailing on the Bella with Capt. Christian was a highlight of my research trip to Monterey Bay, CA.