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Monday, June 12, 2006
Write What You Know. Or Not
Writers are often told to "write what they know." But how boring is that? For me, half the fun of concocting characters and plots derives from the research of people and places I'd never otherwise encounter. Still ... there is that chastising voice in the back of my head, so for this summer's series of books I combined both--something familiar and something new.
My June, July and August books are set in Wilmington, North Carolina, a city I drive through each year on my way to the beach. My sister-in-law lives there. But there were facets of Wilmington I'd never suspected existed. Throw in three best friends, a bachelor auction and a slew of dates and I had an excuse to indulge my research hobby.
For PAYING THE PLAYBOY'S PRICE (June) I visited the Wilmington waterfront and discovered a historical district in the midst of revitalization, a real paddleboat dinner cruise and a number of other tempting new sights. That's where I set bad-but-trying-to-be-good Rex Tanner's bar because the area, like Rex, is starting over.
Because Wilmington is a port city boats are common. But for EXPOSING THE EXECUTIVE'S SECRETS (July) I didn't need just boats, I needed a world-class yacht building facility which led to New Bern, another NC port city. Hatteras Yachts kindly offered me a tour. I can't say enough about the friendly and knowledgeable staff who made my visit more pleasure than work. No, I can't afford to drop a million plus dollars on a yacht, but my characters can, and it was there in that vast production complex that my naval architect hero Clayton Dean was born.
Wherever you have waterfront property you have money--vaults of it--as well as expensive island homes and posh country clubs. Enter my rich banking heir hero Eric Alden and BENDING TO THE BACHELOR'S WILL (August). Since hubby and I still live in the home we bought before our 4 sons were born, it's safe to say we don't own an island getaway. But I was able to visit the exclusive paradise of Bald Head Island and vicariously live in one of the gazillion dollar homes.
And next year's series is set in magical Monaco. Who wouldn't prefer research to real life?
posted by Emilie Rose at 5:34 AM
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6 Comments:
Playground Monitor said...
I love hearing the "story behind the story" for these books. I've read the first book and have the second in the pile. I have to come down off the new-baby cloud and get back in the routine of reading and writing again. It's great that you were able to visit the exclusive resort and the yacht company. I've never visited any place for research, but I've had people be quite generous with information via email. Oh wait... I did visit an aromatherapist to interview her for an article. She was very open and shared all sorts of info plus I went away with some free samples. Uh... you didn't get a sample yacht, did you? *grin*
Marilyn
9:32 AM
misty wright said...
I love hearing these story's as well. I haven't been able to take the time out and read right now. I'm busy with the kids and trying to get my ms out the door, among other things. It never ends. LOL. However, I will be diving in asap, Emilie. I can't wait!! I've always enjoyed your books!
Misty
10:59 AM
Charlene Sands said...
Emilie,
How funny you mention Wilmington. My daugher's very serious boyfriend's parents live there and she visits once or twice a year. She loves it. Zac's dad produces One Tree Hill there. Did you know that Dawson's Creek (also his dad's show) was filmed there? They live on Wrightsville Beach. Do you know the area?
Anyway, I agree that we have to expand our horizons and sometimes write about places we haven't been. Doing the continuities helped me with that. I couldn't choose my own location, so I did the research and learned of it on my own. It's fun! Your series sound wonderful. Both this year's and next.
12:37 PM
Emilie Rose said...
Marilyn and Misty, thanks for stopping by.
Marilyn, the yacht company wouldn't let us on any boats at all since they were all presold. However, I have a brother who owns a yacht--the same brother who tagged along on my tour. I've been on his boat and a few of his friends' yachts, but that's as close as I'll ever come to owning one.
12:38 PM
Emilie Rose said...
Charlene,
I've toured the TV studios in Wilmington. That was right after Dawson's Creek ended. As for Wrightsville beach, where my heroine owns a home, I used to go there as a child.
My family vacations near there. In fact hubby and son #4 are down there now. I stayed home to blog and babysit the mutt.
As for continutities...I love them for exactly the reason you mention. They always force me to experient.
12:41 PM
Juliet Burns said...
Loved hearing about your research for these books, Emilie! And I could definitely get carried away in Monaco research. I feel a trip might be needed to correctly decsribe some of the setitngs though, don't you? South of France, here we come!!
9:53 PM
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