I’m traveling, at present, lost in the Mangrove wilds of the Florida Keys, my shirt stinking of rum, a cormorant dogging my every step, a new (and stung) tattoo of an anchor on my left ass-cheek.
I’m here doing research for the next Miriam Black book, and this is my first official “research” trip. (It’s done wonders. It’s very hard to write about a place without ever having been there. Particularly if the book is set in just such a location — you can maybe get away with a scene or a chapter or two, but 3/4 of a book? Not easy, at least, not for me.)
So, it seems apropos that today’s question should focus on travel.
But, in particular, writerly travel.
Let’s say you can go anywhere in the world, but it’s for your writing. Whether to serve as inspiration or as research.
Where would you go, and why?
Kim Hutson says:
The book I’m writing now is set in the distant future (but you don’t know that at first a la planet of the apes) but there are hints of china about it so I think I’d go there.
April 15, 2013 — 7:15 AM
deadlyeverafter says:
Mt. Daisen, Japan. It’s the setting to the sequel to my first book, Running Home. Unequivocally beautiful forests, hot springs, mossy fields, temples, where peace isn’t just a feeling. And it’s been my dream since I was a kid to further my martial arts practices there.
–Julie
April 15, 2013 — 7:17 AM
Pallav says:
A temporary trip to hell would be nice. Just for the views and the company. In this world, I’d probably love to visit Dubai and see some skyscrapers. Burj Khalifa and the like.
April 15, 2013 — 7:21 AM
Michala T. says:
You’re up early for ‘research’. I think I need to research my next book in um…hmm…Paris, yeah…that’s it.
Always a treat hearing from ya.
The novel I originally set out to write ‘began’ and ‘ended’ here. However my characters told me how important it was to know where they came from and their story ended up being the third in the trilogy. I’m currently on my second and can’t wait to finally get to where I orginally set out to writing. I’ve been there once when I was 18 and I definitely intend to go back.
http://seattle.about.com/od/weekendtraveldestinations/ig/San-Juan-Islands/Orcas-Island-Mount-Constitutio.htm
April 15, 2013 — 7:21 AM
Debby Hanoka (@dhanoka) says:
Does back in time count? I always wanted to experience first hand the New York Underground scene of the 1970s, meet the musicians I’ve listened to since childhood, and experience one of the most important chapters in music history first-hand. Since a lot of the fiction I write is tied to this time period, this kind of “research” is essential.
April 15, 2013 — 7:24 AM
Christine Frost says:
Is a TARDIS available? I’m doing research for a novel set in ancient Sumer, circa 2300 BC. Or, I’ll at least settle for museums with an excellent collection of Ancient Near Eastern artifacts.
I did have the good fortune to go to Romania to do research for my first novel. I hope I get to travel again—I have novels set in Spain and North Africa–but it’s going to be a long time before I get to those.
April 15, 2013 — 7:26 AM
Sara says:
Part of my current WIP takes place in Romania, and I’m *seriously* considering taking a trip in May.
April 15, 2013 — 9:02 AM
Ben Wintersteen says:
I would like to go to a small town in Iowa for one of my books, just to live for a few months. Otherwise I would love to go back to the Caribbean (I did research there but didn’t set a fiction book there),
April 15, 2013 — 7:27 AM
Lisa L. says:
I’d go back to places Europe again (Paris, Amsterdam, Budapest), this time with the eye and mind if a writer instead of the mindset of a 20 year old college student intent on imbibing in as much degenerate behavior as possible.
April 15, 2013 — 7:30 AM
antipelican says:
Yeah but it’s quite difficult to not treat yourself to some degenerate behaviour in Budapest. I lived there for nearly two years, and my liver will probably never recover.
April 15, 2013 — 7:37 AM
Brittney D. Herz says:
Agreed. When I went I was 16 and all I wanted was to find a tattoo shop that would tattoo/pierce me since I couldn’t get it done back in the states without parents permission (which was not happening).
April 15, 2013 — 9:10 AM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Not so much where, as when. I would love to visit some of the great American cities (New York, Chicago, San Francisco) during previous periods – the twenties through to the eighties. This stems from my love of jazz and blues and smoky bars (pretty much dead in this current age of indoor smoking bans) and I would love to set a story there.
There are so many places that I would like to visit as they were in their heyday, from ancient Egypt and Greece to Elizabethan England. Travel to other places is easy enough for us, but travel to other times is something we can only experience in our imagination.
April 15, 2013 — 7:42 AM
mark matthews says:
Inside a person’s dream, who’s dreaming they’re dreaming. What, that’s been done before?
April 15, 2013 — 7:44 AM
tedra says:
I would go to North Carolina for this coming of age YA I thought of awhile back. I think it could be a really great story if I ever dedicate myself to it. But I would really love a trip to Colorado for my current WIP.
April 15, 2013 — 7:44 AM
Axl T says:
Being a fly on the wall of top secret military installations would be really cool for what I’m writing now.
But I’ll settle for Alaska. Love the idea there could be something under all that snow.
April 15, 2013 — 7:48 AM
morgynstarz says:
Mongolia. Steppes and horse culture similar to my series.
April 15, 2013 — 7:51 AM
S.W. Sondheimer says:
Iceland. Romania. Russia. The wilds of…
April 15, 2013 — 7:51 AM
Jonathan D. Beer says:
The Balkans. My first published story is set in Budapest, and I would love to go and actually see the place (especially given that I burnt it to the ground in my story). I’d then like to get out and explore the countryside of Bulgaria, Hungary, and head down to Constantinople – following a trail that I hope one day to write about.
Other than that, just about everywhere. I want to walk the battlefields of the Peninsula War in Spain and Portugal, and see old places that have managed to cling to life in the modern world.
April 15, 2013 — 7:52 AM
Safira Sanders says:
Paris, definitely Paris!
Apart from the fact it’s my favourite city in the world, it’s already served as inspiration for two of my books. The city is for lovers – you see love everywhere – and the place is so full of grandeur and romance, I could write for a lifetime and never run out of ideas when inspired by the City Of Light.
April 15, 2013 — 7:52 AM
Oz says:
For my current pulp-in-progress? Texas and NYC.
For the sci-fi/fantasy/Western graphic novel that I still have (possibly fruitless) aspirations to create, the desert. Specifically Egypt and, I dunno, somewhere in the US Southwest. New Mexico, maybe. Especially if I could spend some time on a rez without being some intrusive white guy.
April 15, 2013 — 7:55 AM
Jon Morgan-Parker says:
The Canadian Rockies. Kayaking down the Suskatuan River. 90 miles of pure unadulterated water and scenery. Not forgetting the fishing and bear dodging. I spent a week doing just that . The “calling” is always on my mind . A beautiful country with heavenly wilderness.
April 15, 2013 — 8:06 AM
smithster says:
Home. Which, for me, is Cape Town, South Africa. I shamelessly sell it to anyone who’ll listen anyways. I know people who’ve not been to my country only have images from CNN or BBC to go by, and all Africa ends up being painted with the same brush, which is hopelessly inaccurate.
April 15, 2013 — 8:08 AM
smithster says:
Thought I’d add a bit on why, if it’s home, for research: there is enormous diversity. You can go from first world city to third world in half an hour. You have multi-million dollar homes and corrugated iron shacks looking at each other. Mountains, sea, breathtaking landscapes, wildlife that can and will kill you if you’re dumb, clashing cultures, different languages, a real threat of physical danger (usually from other human beings), survival in the face of crushing poverty, ridiculous wealth, all in one place. For a dose of the human experience, it pretty much can’t be beat. Admittedly, I haven’t been to Rio – I hear that’s pretty similar.
April 15, 2013 — 9:27 AM
melissa dominic says:
The novel I am working on right now takes place in a future-esque version of Miami, so, that won’t help much. But honestly, I’d probably be interested in traveling to Hong Kong. I’ve always been a bit partial to portrayals of their street culture. And the views! Oh! Though, I might be better suited in visiting Morocco for the next bit of stories I will wanna work on…
April 15, 2013 — 8:25 AM
Cat York says:
Ireland. Cork.
April 15, 2013 — 8:29 AM
Deborah Lynn Harkness says:
To Toronto, Canada in the year 1920. To hear the sounds of the city, wear the fashion, lose my self in the sights and smells of the city.To learn the dialect of language at the time, the tones and cadences. As a writer it is difficult to fully engage myself with the period without the sensory input. Or perhaps that is why we are given an imagination.
April 15, 2013 — 8:51 AM
MAH1970 says:
To NYC and back to New Orleans. The most densely packed city I’ve ever been to is Chicago, so it’s a bit difficult to wrap my head around the sheer amount of people and things happening in downtown New York. New Orleans because I love the city from the small amount of time I spent there – the mix of religions and cultures combined with the temperature makes me homesick for the place.
My big question is why did you get an anchor and why did you get it on your ass? I have multiple tattoos and I’m curious as to the reason why people choose the ones they do.
April 15, 2013 — 8:57 AM
Katie says:
I’m thinking it’s to help keep his butt in the chair…
April 15, 2013 — 11:58 AM
AKjeldsen says:
This is for a history MA thesis rather than a fiction work (although it could turn into one in the future), but if there’s one place I’d really like to go right now, it’d be Conrad II’s coronation as Emperor in Rome on Easter Sunday, 1027. Trying to figure out the political significances of a ritual that’s only vaguely described in the sources and at a distance of a thousand years is hard.
April 15, 2013 — 8:57 AM
Brittney D. Herz says:
I just published a novel Forgotten Stories about sex slavery taking in place in the Middle East. It involves characters from all over, the main character is actually from Guatemala which I visited in 2009. If I were to do the sequel like I hope to do I would say like to go to India/Nepal area. I’ve done plenty of research on the topic and location but I would like to see it for myself.
Also Ireland to help with my YA fantasy novel 🙂
April 15, 2013 — 9:08 AM
Patrick Regan says:
Given what I’m currently working on, and my future project’s likely location? (Which have ironically become one and the same, but completely unintentionally).
Chicago. I’ve only been there at the airport, and I actually want to taste the city. What’s it like there? What’s the city’s flavor? What are the neighborhoods?
April 15, 2013 — 9:28 AM
Veronica says:
Chicago is diversity. A more compact NY. Gold Coast shopping in the lake’s edge, world-class museums, public art, sports teams, urban neighborhoods of Italian, Hispanic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Polish, Ukraine, Indian, Pakistani….peoples from all over. Ethnicity is celebrated. Rich-to-poor in a matter of a mile or less in some areas, but still, a thriving environment.
Food of any sort, but all of it delicious. When I lived in Cali and would come to Chicago to visit I always gained 5-10 pounds. Truly Chicago fare: deep dish pizza (sausage with green peppers and onion is the trademark variety), Italian beef sandwich (get it dipped with hot peppers). Pretty much, we like everything, with everything on it. That’s why a Chicago hotdog has six toppings and a New York dog has one (at least, when I visit fam in NYC I get a hard look when I want more than mustard on my dog…) It’s also why Chicago has an obesity issue.
April 15, 2013 — 1:29 PM
Katrina says:
The best stories happen in small towns. I’ve never been anywhere that could be considered small town-ish, so I’d start there.
April 15, 2013 — 9:33 AM
Meg Kirsic says:
Iceland. I’d like my character to get lost there for a chapter or two.
April 15, 2013 — 9:52 AM
Inigo Sharpe (@IndigoSharpe) says:
Quick Visit to the afterlife.Mostly the best and worst parts of limbo. Then New York for the real world. All of New York.
April 15, 2013 — 10:09 AM
David Hudnut says:
I find it fascinating that so many people here want to time travel. Not that I blame them. Who wouldn’t?
April 15, 2013 — 10:14 AM
vegan farm girl in the city says:
The pieces I’m working on take place in Vietnam, Tokyo and New Orleans. Different novels, of course.
April 15, 2013 — 10:49 AM
Paul Grignon says:
Either Bedruthan in Cornwall, England, or Bruges, the Venice of the North, in Belgium. The former, for its fantastic coastline, and the latter for its ancient charm and incredible pommes frites. Oh, and the excellent beers in both countries. “Make mine a Duvel, please!”
April 15, 2013 — 10:53 AM
Andy Decker says:
I would like to spend a few weeks in some of the underground bunkers that are reserved for high ranking officials for when TSHTF.
April 15, 2013 — 10:54 AM
susielindau says:
I am actually going to Europe this summer for that reason.I just finished a paranormal thriller and it takes place in Provence. I had been there 12 years ago, but want to refresh my memory and tweak a couple of descriptions before querying an agent.
As you know, I am an artist too. (Jogs Chuck’s memory about fan art contest.) I have a cover in mind and want to do a mock up whether I am traditionally published or not. I need a photo of a French estate, the rest will be photoshop magic!
April 15, 2013 — 10:55 AM
Phil Norris says:
New Mexico, primarily Roswell and Los Alamos area circa 1947. Current WiP is mostly set in that area.
April 15, 2013 — 11:49 AM
Katie says:
Phil, you won’t find a lot in Roswell today regarding the siting – I was there in the late 80s and tried to get some info, but the most I could find was the AFB had become an industrial park. Do your research ahead of time, see if you can find some locals who will talk with you (I was only there one day), and make sure you have a car. The drive back to Albuquerque is a long way through the desert (and the site is on private land, a ways out of town – no markers or anything – or there wasn’t then). I did enjoy the small Goddard Museum there.
April 15, 2013 — 5:04 PM
Bayou_child says:
New Orleans, LA! My fiesty great grandmother was from there and the book series I’m writing is set there.
April 15, 2013 — 11:50 AM
Denise McInerney says:
I’m actually thinking of joining a two-week archeology field school dig in the area of Tuscany that was once ancient Etruria, Italy. I’m doing research for an adventure/thriller involving an archeologist and Etruscan treasure. No archeological background required–which may mean lots of carting wheelbarrows full of dirt! But I think the experience could be invaluable. Beautiful scenery on the coast, local wines and real balsamic vinegar–what’s not to like?
April 15, 2013 — 12:56 PM
RavenBlackburn says:
Gloucester and London (England). My current novels are set there and I’d be dying to see all the places I am writing about, but sadly, no money atm… But someday, someday I will go there. And to Romania, Finland, Russia and America.
April 15, 2013 — 1:00 PM
Tia Kalla (@tiakall) says:
I’m working on a project where the main characters go all around the world and I’m having much the same thoughts! Hence why two of the four MCs have homes in cities I’ve been two (with a third in a city where a good friend is). For this particular project, I’d like to go to Cape Town, South Africa since that’s the hometown of the last MC, but for being the most useful overall, I’d say England. I write a lot of fantasy, and there are a lot of books out there that draw from, say, England’s first Industrial Revolution, Shakespearean times, etc.
April 15, 2013 — 1:32 PM
K. Tagher says:
The largest metropolitan cities, any of them. It inspires me to think about the future.
April 15, 2013 — 2:20 PM
geekinacardigan says:
The nitty gritty dirty bits of London. The punk rock-ish, heroin-y parts. Or, perhaps better for my health, do the Kerouac/Thompson trip across the U.S. See the desert in a red convertible. Hitchhike through New England.
April 15, 2013 — 2:48 PM
Jess Haines says:
Greece. I would love to have some hands-on and see some of the ruins that I’ve got in mind to write about when/if I ever delve into the histories of some of my vamp characters.
Hope you’re enjoying Swamplandia, Chuck!
<3,
-J
April 15, 2013 — 3:29 PM
Lathan Hayes says:
Mesopotamia, as in no-shit-there I was Babylon. An ancient mysteries book centered around Baal and Molech, old angry God dudes that demand burnt-up Kiddy sacrifices.
April 15, 2013 — 3:30 PM
pamelacreese says:
Two places leap to mind. One is the west coast…from Crater Lake through the mountains and down the Rogue River (a location in my wip l have not seen in many years) and the other is New Zealand/Australia
April 15, 2013 — 3:50 PM
David Nickle says:
Germany. I am probably going to have to go there for the next novel in fact.
April 15, 2013 — 4:30 PM
Leifthesailor says:
Have fun dropping anchor with that new tattoo of yours. I’m a sailor, home is where I would like to go.
April 15, 2013 — 4:48 PM
Christina Upton says:
First – Greece, because that’s where I’d like to set the sequel to my first (unpublished) novel. Second – Haiti, because that’s where one of the main characters in the novel I’m currently working on is from. Third – Bonnie & Clyde Trade Days RV Park in Arcadia, Louisiana, because that is, no shit, where my first novel is set.
April 15, 2013 — 5:04 PM
joeturner87 says:
I’m going to Antigua in August. I hope to find some inspiration there, though if I don’t at least there’s a beach 🙂
April 15, 2013 — 5:06 PM
ljbreedlove says:
Alaska. I lived there 30 some years go, and set my first novel there, and its sequel that I’m working on now. I use the Internet to check for current accuracy, and find it ironic how little some things have changed, and yet, how much some details have. So I want to go back. Maybe in September. I kinda promised myself a trip back to Sitk
April 15, 2013 — 6:57 PM
Chris G. says:
Irian Jaya, a western province of Papua, New Guinea. Snow-capped mountains, lush jungle, and a tribe of people called the Dani who have been doing it Stone Age-style since . . ., well, the Stone Age. They probably could film King Kong there.
Would be cool to observe people in this state – totally unaffected by all the bullshit that the modern age brings. What do they worry about? What are their hopes and dreams?
I picture a life that is completely raw, yet content.
April 15, 2013 — 11:24 PM
Ben Wintersteen says:
Papua New Guinea is not “pristine.” Even those areas where there is no infrastructure still rely heavily on food, tools and clothing from the Australians. if you are interested in learning more, the Nawa studies by Lyle Steadman can give you some hint, he spent thirty years with them. Most of the Papuans have been christianized and many have been forceably relocated. Traditional methods of war and raiding were clamped down pretty hard by the Australians, and the Indonesians have been encroaching into the deep areas. gardens are slowly being replaced with crop lands and the barter economy has been almost entirely replaced by Cash. Most of the traditions that have survived (big man, Moka) have been fundamentally changed by the last 60 ears of interaction with outsiders.
I don’t say this to burst your bubble, but only because your desire to see people “totally unaffected by the bullshit” is more of a anyWHEN then an anyWHERE.
As an aside, I would go to the same place for the same reasons.. if I could.
April 16, 2013 — 9:20 AM