How much do trips like this fuel the development of your next set of characters? Do you keep notes of the interesting people you meet and the things they say talking to you at the bar?
Those are writer questions. Are you thinking of writing a novel? Anyway, travel fuels a lot of my writing. I like writing about places other than Minnesota. I like writing about characters that might be unfamiliar to me, bringing them to life. I don't, though, keep notes. Usually, the story dictates the characters I need, and they won't be in any notes.
I don’t know if I have a novel in me… but I’m not ruling it out. I have a strong desire to share something about what it’s like to be in many of the places we visit… and holy shit, people are endlessly interesting and entertaining. I am also fascinated by other writers’ processes. I don’t know why, but if a writer writes about writing, I’m probably going to read it. So, having read two of your novels, that’s what I was thinking about when I read this post. I find it interesting to know that you form the characters from the story… I suspect a lot of fiction writers do the same thing. I imagine them to be people with stories constantly swimming around in their heads, and that’s not me. If I was to ever write a novel, I think I would approach it from the development of the characters first, and then let them take me on a journey that would (hopefully) make for a good story.
There are a couple of books I can think of where the writer travels and writes character studies. Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon and Working by Studs Terkel. Somehow mix in some food?
I haven't read those. Putting them on my list. I have been working on a cookbook proposal, very slowly, that weaves stories from our travels around the country in with recipes and I am including some sort pieces of fiction.
You want the real Emeril, gotta stay in New Orleans! But I'm glad to hear Circus Circus still delivers. I ate there for a Bouchercon around...twenty-three years ago. Wow. I grabbed the first Vegas book for Kindle (loving what I've read so far) and hope to get the new one signed sometime soon. Cheers!
Love it! Peppermill is the best :)
How much do trips like this fuel the development of your next set of characters? Do you keep notes of the interesting people you meet and the things they say talking to you at the bar?
Those are writer questions. Are you thinking of writing a novel? Anyway, travel fuels a lot of my writing. I like writing about places other than Minnesota. I like writing about characters that might be unfamiliar to me, bringing them to life. I don't, though, keep notes. Usually, the story dictates the characters I need, and they won't be in any notes.
I don’t know if I have a novel in me… but I’m not ruling it out. I have a strong desire to share something about what it’s like to be in many of the places we visit… and holy shit, people are endlessly interesting and entertaining. I am also fascinated by other writers’ processes. I don’t know why, but if a writer writes about writing, I’m probably going to read it. So, having read two of your novels, that’s what I was thinking about when I read this post. I find it interesting to know that you form the characters from the story… I suspect a lot of fiction writers do the same thing. I imagine them to be people with stories constantly swimming around in their heads, and that’s not me. If I was to ever write a novel, I think I would approach it from the development of the characters first, and then let them take me on a journey that would (hopefully) make for a good story.
There are a couple of books I can think of where the writer travels and writes character studies. Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon and Working by Studs Terkel. Somehow mix in some food?
I haven't read those. Putting them on my list. I have been working on a cookbook proposal, very slowly, that weaves stories from our travels around the country in with recipes and I am including some sort pieces of fiction.
Good luck! Feel free to use me as a resource.
Thank you Kurt! I appreciate that!
I do enjoy a shrimp cocktail at Mon Ami Gabi, of course followed up by escargot. BTW, you have been to NOLA, back in '78, I believe.
No, don't remember it. 78? I was just a baby
I was with you. We visited RH at Tulane among other activities.
Oh yeah. Rusty Hunt. Then got a tattoo in Houston. What a long, strange trip it's been...
You want the real Emeril, gotta stay in New Orleans! But I'm glad to hear Circus Circus still delivers. I ate there for a Bouchercon around...twenty-three years ago. Wow. I grabbed the first Vegas book for Kindle (loving what I've read so far) and hope to get the new one signed sometime soon. Cheers!
One of these days I'll get to New Orleans. Hope you enjoy the Vegas book! Let me know. Kurt