Thanks to Terry Odell for guest posting for me today! Terry’s books straddle the mystery and romance genres and you can find out more about them here.
Thanks to Elizabeth for inviting me to usurp her blog today. Although my books are considered romantic suspense, I write them like mysteries, with a little more emphasis on the relationship. If there was such a category, I’d call them mystery-romances. To be honest, I thought I was writing a mystery when I wrote my first book, “Finding Sarah.”
Everyone says, “Write what you know.” Well, obviously it helps to know something about your subject, but research is vital. I toyed with writing a historical romance once—I’d read a few time-travel romances that I’d enjoyed. But I realized I hated history class, and had no knowledge whatsoever of history, so I abandoned that idea…fast.
But with proper research, you can write about the unfamiliar—it’s a matter of knowing what you don’t know, and learning what you need to fit your manuscript.
My latest release, “Nowhere to Hide” has its roots “Finding Sarah.” I thought it would be easier to write about Orlando, where I was living at the time. I’d been pestering my sister in law in Oregon to make sure I got the setting details right. Rather than keep bugging her, I decided Colleen would move to Orlando, where I was more comfortable with the locale. After all, she was going to live in my neighborhood, so if I wanted to know what something looked like, all I had to do was open my front door.
Some things were easier—I knew what plants grew, I knew what the climate felt like, I knew that from my house you can hear the roller coasters at Universal Studios, and I could scope out various locations on my own.
Others things were harder. Why? Because I’d decided that Colleen was going to meet up with an Orlando deputy sheriff. Why? Because ‘only trouble is interesting’ and to give Colleen a reason to move across country, I’d decided she’d had a bad experience on the job as a cop in Oregon. So, who’s the last person she’d want to have to deal with? Another cop.
But all of a sudden I couldn’t get away with making too much stuff up. After all, there was a chance, remote though it might be, that a real member of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office might read the book. I didn’t want them laughing at me.
First, the procedure details had to be right. Back in the small Oregon town I’d made up, I had a small police force, and everyone did everything. But in the large Orange County system, there’s a much bigger division of labor. I had to figure out how I could get my hero to show up where I needed him, and do what I needed him to do without breaking the rules. One thing I learned is that just about everything the cops do is based on making sure it will stand up in court. I couldn’t have my hero be a lousy cop.
I enrolled in the Civilian Police Academy and developed some contacts. One, a former SWAT commander taught fitness classes at the Y where I worked out (and you’ll see scenes set there in the book), and he was kind enough to offer advice and give me a tour of the building. Another contact was a homicide detective, who was always willing to answer my questions—and some of them are so basic, you hate to bother someone, but if my hero was going to work in the building, I needed to know things like, “Are there vending machines?” and “How would he get a fax,” not to mention, “What color are the walls and carpets?”
Of course, there’s always a lag between writing and publication, and for this book, it was several years, and a new publisher. I’d set a rather pivotal scene in a local Thai restaurant (didn’t mind doing the research for that one, and neither did my husband). Readers who go in search of it will find the shopping center where it used to be, but alas, it closed its doors. Since then, two other restaurants have tried to make a go of it there, but there must be trouble with that location. I hope it wasn’t me.
And, I decided that my future books were going to be set in made-up locations, with made up organizations. Preferably close to home, and based on the way things really work, but it’s much easier to create your own procedures when you need something to work for the plot. Because in real life, there are rules.
Terry Odell recently moved from Orlando to the mountains of Colorado where she’s got brand new settings to explore. Writing to the sounds of wildlife instead of roller coasters has proved inspiring. You can visit her at her website. She also loves people to drop by her blog, Terry’s Place.
Hi Terry,
Great to read about you and get to know you. I too have benefitted from Elizabeth taking an interest in my fledgeling writing.
I am headed over to your site!
Indie
It’s a shame the Thai place closed down. Thanks Terry for sharing your ideas on writing and thanks Elizabeth for hosting this.
Elizabeth – Thanks for hosting Terry.
Terry – Thanks for sharing your thoughts about how very important research is. I’m impressed with the amount of work that you did to give your story a sense of realism. Funny you would mention that restaurant closing. That’s one reason, I admit, for which I don’t use real restaurants, etc., when I write. I’m always afraid they’ll close or change names….
Elizabeth, thanks for hosting Terry.
Terry, your research helps put the reader into the book and makes them feel apart of the story. Which by the way, is really good.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Indie – glad to meet you, and I agree that Elizabeth’s blog is a gold mine.
Cassandra-I missed the Thai place when it closed. It’s always easier to make stuff up, but at the time, I was hoping to be able to use the marketing connection. Of course, now that I live in Colorado, my local connections are too far away!
Elizabeth- always glad to trade blogs with you. I’m using a local restaurant in my current WIP, but I’m modifying it just to be safe. I love doing the requisite “research”, however.
Margot – I’m anal about getting things right-the trick is knowing what you don’t know so you research it.
Mason – Glad you enjoyed the book! (Tell your friends!) :-)
Thanks so much again for guest posting, Terry! And I totally agree–made-up settings (especially of things like restaurants and other businesses) are a lot easier! Writing about Memphis, I used some historical landmarks I knew weren’t going anywhere…but I was really careful with the restaurants.
Hi, Terry,
I think your point about using real settings is valid. I’ve had similar problems and found out it’s easier to make up a setting when possible. Of course with historic fiction very often you do need to use real people in real settings. That’s when research needs to be exact.
I write about real locations, but I either make up restaurants or describe one and call it something else or don’t name it. Like you, I learned the hard way. Great post!
Jacqueline – you make me laugh. You could write anything historical and I wouldn’t know the difference! But don’t ever let me see a character thumb the safety on a Glock!
Great post Terry! Research is SO important – it’s important to have those little details correct :)
Jemi- I’ve heard that people who read historicals are very particular about accuracy.
Sandra/Alison – thanks for stopping by, and yes, blends of mystery and relationships are my favorites.
Lynn- totally agree. Here, to get your car registered, a deputy has to come verify the VIN and make sure you’re who you say you are. When I told the deputy about my writing (actually, the hubster told him, saying, “look out, she’s going to have questions”) the deputy told me to give the station a call to set up a ride-along.
Hi, Terry,
Thanks for sharing your expertise on researching and creating settings for a book. It is very helpful.
I love mysteries, and romance always gives a wonderful twist to any story. In fact romance is a mystery. Or is that just me?
Thanks, Elizabeth for hosting. You are already know you’re the greatest, right? :)
Teresa
I do write historicals and yes, there is lots of research involved. Luckily, I’ve always loved history and I write about a period that fascinates me. I do, however, make up my location and all my characters are fictional even though real historical figures and events are discussed.
I’d choose Colorado over Orlando. And I can imagine writing a historical fiction novel is tough. I wouldn’t tackle one either.
JW, I think you’re right. Hubster and I have been married 41 years, and neither of us can explain why!
Elspeth – yep, much better to have the ‘meat’ fiction and toss in some real stuff for spice.
Linda-I researched all that on line as well–but whenever possible I tried to find a ‘live’ source. I even did some live PCA testing (although I wouldn’t recommend surgery solely to see how it works). As a matter of fact, it appears in a scene from Nowhere to Hide.
Hart- yes, I’ve found that if I don’t research something when I need it, I make sure to flag it in the MS to fix later. But I’m always afraid there might be a snowball effect if I write using un-researched info, so I normally stop to check unless I know it’s a simple fact.
Terry, as usual, great info on research. You really went the extra mile to make it right. I love mysteries and thrillers and I tend to write thriller romances rather than romances with thriller elements so we’re similar in that regard. Alison Chambers
Really enjoyed getting to know more about the background of Nowhere to Hide. Had to laugh to read your experience with restaurants closing after you mentioned them in your book. That happened with an early book of mine, too. Now I just make up places. I will visit a restaurant that I want to model mine after, but change the name and specific location.
Hi Elizabeth and Terry,
Great host, great post! I’ve done some of the same types of research–talking to cops, attending a civilian police academy, pestering friends who knew more than I did… For me, research has always been a fun part of the writing process.
Maryann, Bob: I think Harlan Coben had the best intro to one of his books after listing all his acknowledgments: “It’s FICTION. I get to make stuff up.”
But I still like to be accurate.
I’m going to be away from the computer for a while. Have to go down to the Springs to hit Lowe’s, Costco, and then meet up with fam for dinner. I’ll check back when I can.
You joined the Civilian Police Academy! That’s awesome. I did an academy like that once when I was a news reporter in Iowa–completely valuable experience, and I could see how it would help in writing a book too. I bet your contacts got a kick out of helping you.
Lynn
Terry,
Thanks for sharing (and thanks to Elizabeth for hosting).
While working on my current mystery I spent so much time online researching firearms, explosives and patient-controlled analgesia devises I was afraid I’d end up on someone’s terrorist watch list. But I never thought of joining the civilian people force. Very cool.
Now I’m going to follow my nose and head over to your site.
Linda
It’s so interesting all the things you have to keep track of, isn’t it? I’ve had a similar experience with a book I’m setting in Portland–I know the CITY, but the timing of certain things–when did the zoo open this or that exhibit (I have a couple scenes at the zoo in the mid 80s)–just a lot more to keep track of than you’d ever think. In my first draft I took a lot for granted because I just wanted to get the story out, but the fact checking is cumbersome!
Terry, this is why I make up settings. Honestly, it’s so much easier to create the place as your need it to be. I made up an entire city for my latest release, although the surrounding area is real. I guess there are advantages and disadvantages to both cases. Best of luck with your release launch.
Love that you joined the Civilian Police Academy. So cool! Great idea.
Yeah, I spend a lot of time researching because of the time setting as much as the place. Thanks for sharing.
I got turned on to Terry and her writing a couple years ago and always appreciate her posts – this one was no disappointment!
Wow, Terry! Now that’s what I call doing your research. And here I thought I did a good job just by checking out the library, talking to folks and surfing the internet for hours. Great post and thanks for all the advice. :)
Great post, Terry, and BIG congrats on the publication of NOWHERE TO HIDE. If I wasn’t already charmed, amused, and intrigued by your writing (via your Terry’s Place blog), I would be by this post. :-) Looking forward to a great read – and toasting you in person one day soon.
Enjoyed the post. I had to laugh at your decision to make up locations and organizations in future books. I found that blending a made up location near a real one works best for me. However, I admire the extra steps you took to make sure you got all the facts straight. Your books sound excellent – I enjoy books that blur the genres.
Just got back from a trip down to the Springs. Thanks everyone for your comments, and double-thanks to those who also headed over to my blog.
Caroline- thanks, and yes, I agree there are always pros and cons no matter what you decide to do.
TerryS – when you write cops, having cop contacts is a definite plus.
Marvin- I really appreciate the kudos. Thanks!
Maeve – talking to people is so much more fun than “book-learning”
Cleo – so good to see you here, and thanks for all the props for Nowhere to Hide.
Jane- I never was good at coloring inside the lines. Bender-blurring comes naturally to me.
Elizabeth-thanks so much for having me. It was a ball!
Thanks so much again, Terry, for your post…and to everybody who came by and commented today!
Hi Elizabeth — Thanks for having Terry over. She’s blogging on a topic I’ve been thinking a lot about lately.
Terry, I’ve decided to go fictitious on almost everything to do with setting in my two wips. Makes the writing easier and reduces the risk someone might be offended.
Patricia – fictitious is good, although there are those who enjoy reading books because they know the setting. I read Michael Connelly, following Harry Bosch around Los Angeles, and love recognizing landmarks.
Angela – Loved going to Catalina, although I wasn’t writing then, so it was only for fun.
Terry, thanks for sharing your research experience. Great tips! I often use actual locations. If I find a place I like to incorporate, unless it’s a historical building and unlikely to go anywhere, I use the setting but create my own name for the place. I love to do on-site research whenever possible though I’ve not been able to justify a trip to Santa Catalina Island just yet. hehe