“Research is to see what everybody else has seen,
and to think what nobody else has thought.”
Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, Hungarian biochemist & Nobel Prize
winner
Research & the Amazing World of
Balboa Park
Writing a novel is a
funny thing. It’s much like walking your dog (let’s say the ever-popular Golden
Labrador) on a beautiful fall day. You admire the vivid autumn leaves, sip your
pumpkin spice latte and the cool air on your skin feels energizing. You have
the leash firmly in hand. You are the alpha (fe)male. All is right with the world.
Then, out of nowhere,
just inches from your Lab’s nose, a squirrel dashes across your path and races down
the street. Your dog (character) takes a wild dash for it and you are dragged
onto a previously un-thought of and exciting pathway.
My characters can be adamant.
As an example: one of my murder suspects thinks they should die in a steam bath
incident at San Diego’s Agnew Hospital. (Honestly, this is the kind of stuff I
get from my characters. They truly take on a life of their own. I don’t always
agree, but I’ve found it’s useless to argue.)
Discovering new and
exciting pathways applies to research also. Some novelists don’t enjoy
research. I, for one, find delight in ferreting out the small details that can make
my work come alive. My current project (working title: “Murder at San Diego’s 1915
Expo”) is progressing smoothly. Short sketch follows:
Dr.
Asa Wolf’s body was found early one July morning in the Lath House by the
Balboa Park gardeners during San Diego’s 1915 Panama-California Exposition. His
trophy wife is devastated in public, but celebrating in private by downing his
expensive bourbon and scrutinizing his financial papers. Of course, she is just
one of many people who wanted Dr. Wolf dead.
Yes progressing smoothly,
but there are questions I’d like answered, such as, where were the bathrooms
located and did they contain flush toilets in 1915? I would love to plant a
clue in one of them. But where were they?
Google and Wikipedia do
not venture into this sort of detail. So I jump in my trusty Kia and take the 5
Freeway south to San Diego’s incredible Balboa Park, site of the Expo.
Entering Balboa Park, history
circles you with its presence. So easy to step back in time. And questions? One
only needs to ask. Right off I met a very helpful Lynda at the Visitor Center,
then spoke with docents and employees. Each one was full of fun facts and
ardent about the Park and its history. Then jackpot!! I was introduced to Tomas
Herrera-Mishler, President and CEO of Balboa Park Conservancy. He left me
amazed with his passion and love of all things pertaining to the Park. The man and the position appear to be a perfect fit.
Each and every person
gave me their insight into this special place. All fodder for the filing
cabinets of my mind.
I spent the day taking
photographs and asking questions. It was a great day, and I gathered a treasure
chest of ideas. So many ideas. My head continues to spin with them. At home I
iced my bum knee and stayed up late making notes.
Did I find out about 1915
Expo bathrooms? No, but I have the name of someone who knows someone, etc. It’s
a start, right? No problem really as during my visit, I found plenty of hidden
nooks and crannies to hide a clue or two or three. Even better, the sight of a
1915 Glenn Curtis Aeroplane and a 1913 Harley Davidson gave me further ideas.
So if you find you have
questions, or your story line is stuck, visit your novel’s location. Take
photos, ask questions, you’ll feel energized…I promise.
*
* *
HIDDEN JOURNALS Book Launch
& Signing Party – November 14th –
It was a great success, and I’m a happy author! UPDATE: Now with new cover and title: Deserter, Rebel, Renegade.
*
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See
you December 1st right here where I’ll natter on about selecting
a novel’s genre, location and time
period. And, thank you many times over for taking time to read my blog and
for checking out my new book.
Other places to find me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paustinheaton
So much fun to meet you and share a bit of Balboa Park lore with you.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting trip! I’m like you. Research for a novel is half the fun! Sandy
ReplyDelete