Today’s question is:
When your narrative is set in a real location do you research it or do you visit it?
What are the pros & cons of utilizing the internet to find out about a location versus actually staying there?
Feel free to answer the question in the comments.
Last week’s responses to the question:
Have you been asked to ‘explain’ a character trait?
Were you happy to explain it or do/did you feel it took something away from the narrative?
Interesting question. When readers take the time to express loathing for your antagonist, you know that you’ve done your job.
I have an adult thriller/suspense I wrote that focuses on a forensic team trying to bring down a sociopath serial killer. He showed absolutely no remorse for killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend. When he was sentenced, he vowed revenge on the entire forensic team. He is a drug abuser and blames everyone from his past, and those currently who are his targets, for the path that he’s on. I wrote this novel from the POV of the Forensic Psychologist then added a short chapter here and there to see the killer from his own view. Although I’ve never been asked to give an empathetic view of this character, my sharing his POV sort of gives a bit of background to answer the ‘why’s’ of his state of mind and his anger. I’m not sure he deserves empathy, but at the very least he shows his own logic for his actions. 😉
If you would like to contribute to last week’s question please reply to that post’s comments. Thank you
February 8, 2019 at 5:01 pm
I once wrote a character who worked in a factory. I didn’t care what kind of factory, it just had to be a factory. My aunt worked in a meat packing plant, so I asked her if I could visit her at work. Not only did they let me visit, I got a tour and got to watch “the line” as they worked. It was fantastic. The story was “Poor David” and it’s in my collection, Things Withered! I’m telling you, visiting that plant was invaluable, and I’ll use the info again in some other piece, I’m certain. It’s always better to see and feel and hear a place.
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February 9, 2019 at 9:27 am
This visit was obviously a true gift for your writing, giving you ‘inside’ knowledge you would not have experienced otherwise. Thank you so much for participating.
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February 7, 2019 at 11:17 am
Both. If possible.
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February 7, 2019 at 11:40 am
That would be the perfect scenario I’m sure.
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