Let’s Get This Party Started
This is a fun part of the writing process!
I have decided to set the newest novel in the former Yugoslavia. I was a working journalist during the break-up of Yugoslavia into the seven nations that occupy that portion of the globe today. But like everyone, I forget the details.
I went to Powell’s yesterday and picked up a collection of essays from The New Republic, dating 1991 to 1995, so before the civil war. Those essays will give me a good grounding on pre-war Yugoslavia. I also bought a book about a Western aid worker in Serbia during the war.
I love this portion: the basic research stage.
However, Katy King and I also are talking about a trip to Italy in April, and we likely will carve out a few days to travel to the Dalmatian Coast on the Adriatic, and maybe Croatia.
No level of book research ever beats boots-on-the-ground.
I truly love this part of the writing process.
Posted on January 13, 2012, in Blog. Bookmark the permalink. Comments Off on Let’s Get This Party Started.