The Joy of Real-World Research When Crafting a Novel

 From Crime Reads:

But even all of that doesn’t come close to the real experience. Tasting the food, braving the traffic, feeling the wind on your face or the strength of the rain, seeing the mist or the sunshine on the green hills and hearing the sheep.

Traveling to previously-unknown places also provides inspiration for entire plots or small scenes. The very first scene in my book was directly inspired by our experiences trying to maneuver our way safely through the roundabouts (three lanes, seven exits!), and down the tiny streets. In the pouring rain, when even the GPS isn’t entirely sure of the way. Driving on the “wrong” side of the road to boot.

While in Yorkshire my daughter and I stayed at Holdsworth House Hotel, a gorgeous old stately house (the original parts date from 1633), now a hotel, and that inspired much of the landscaping and decor of Thronecroft Castle House and Hotel, as well as some of the history.

The rolling green, sheep-dotted fields provided a hefty dose of atmosphere. Remember that my characters are visitors to this new place, and they see everything though tourist eyes (much as we did.)

We visited traditional and historic Yorkshire pubs, so my characters could do so also, and we lined up at the bar to order drinks. (No table service in English pubs). We ate bangers and mash and enjoyed meat pies with thick gravy and mashed potatoes. (Read more.)