Ooh la la! Paris holds the key to your heart!
Yes, that’s right: I’m headed back in the City of Lights. This time, it’s a purely business, research-oriented trip. I’ve finished most of the first (And rough–oh it’s rough!) draft of Something Strange and Deadly book 2 (which is being tentatively titled A DARKNESS STRANGE AND LOVELY), and now it’s time to fill in all the gaps in the manuscript that currently read:
<insert description of Jardin des Tuileries here>
OR
<insert description of Richelieu Bibliotheque here>
So for the next few days, I’ll be scurrying around Paris trying to see all of the places Eleanor sees–and trying to imagine them as they were 135 years ago, when Paris looked like this:
Um, can we say SWOON? Just writing this blog post has me drooling in anticipation over my trip. Yes, I am writing this post ahead of time, and there will be posts all week long. However, I won’t be able to answer comments until next week–but I promise I will respond as soon as I have reliable internet access again!
🙂
ALSO ALSO ALSO! Be sure to check out the Let the Words Flow post today, in which Sarah J. Maas discusses the middle grade novel she and I (YES, WE, US, SARAH & SUSAN) are co-writing.
Now, you tell me: Have you ever had to travel to research for your books? Is there anywhere you want to set a book JUST so you can travel there?
♥
September 5, 2011 @ 12:19 pm
Have fun!! It would be so awesome to see 19th Century Paris, wouldn’t it?
September 10, 2011 @ 7:45 pm
Um, yes. And that’s the greatest thing about Europe–you can actually pretend you’re in 19th century or 17th century or whenever because so many of the buildings have been around that long! I have no doubt you’ll be traipsing around London with your eyes squinting as you pretend to be in the 1300s. 😉
September 5, 2011 @ 1:55 pm
I wonder if people who lived in Paris 135 years ago loved the clothing and such as much as we do. 😛
Oh, I must check out that LTWF post! I’m so excited about the novel you and Sarah are writing!
September 10, 2011 @ 7:46 pm
Well, they loved the clothing enough to wear it! But, from what I’ve gathered in my research, it was HORRIBLY uncomfortable. Corsets led to some major deformation of organs and rib cages–not to mention all those fainting spells could be directly connected to how tight those darn corsets were laced…
September 5, 2011 @ 2:20 pm
Ekk! Paris.
As a matter of interest does your publishing company cover the cost for it?
September 10, 2011 @ 7:47 pm
Oh how I WISH. But alas, it is up to the author to pay for such things. Being a writer is considered self-employment, and that means I fund myself in all my research activities. That said, I DO declare all of my research-related or work-related expenses on my taxes. 😀 I keep VERY meticulous records and receipts!!
September 5, 2011 @ 4:54 pm
Beautiful. The moment I saw the title of the post, the song you have embedded here started playing in my head. (Anastasia has been one of my absolute favorite movies since I was like…alive? I’ve watched it so many times that my mother can now identify it just by hearing the train at the beginning.)
And hooray for Paris! I can’t think of anywhere I’d like to go just for a book since most of my stuff is set like….alternate world. Though Italy might be nice, since in Weeping there are a lot of flashbacks to Italy a few centuries ago.
September 10, 2011 @ 7:49 pm
Anastasia was kinda my obsession for a long time. By Anastasia, I mean Dimitri (how can a cartoon be SO HOT?). I can sing you that soundtrack from start to finish, and it never never EVER grows old for me. 😀 I’m so glad you love it too, Arianna!! <3
And oooooh to Italy! Where exactly? You should definitely find a way to travel there…and eat…and drink some wine…oh, and research some if you can. 😉
September 5, 2011 @ 9:51 pm
The first painting you inserted is one I just saw at the Art Institute of Chicago! So cool. 🙂
I can’t wait to go to Paris someday. Be sure to post some lovely pictures! And speaking of lovely, I like the tentative title for book 2!
September 10, 2011 @ 7:50 pm
That IS so cool, Madeleine!! I will definitely post some pictures…the ones that aren’t just obsessive research-related photos. 😉
September 5, 2011 @ 10:02 pm
Ahhhh! Well, I’m going to Paris in March with my mommy and I loooooooove it there so much, so maybe I’ll have to think up a story idea especially so my trip can be research!! 🙂
September 10, 2011 @ 7:51 pm
Oh, YAY! That’s so fantastic, Becca!! You should definitely find some reason to feel inspired while you’re there. I swear, all of my research notes are FILLED with ridiculous poetic trifles. Almost every line is somehow metaphoric or overly dramatic. There’s just something about that city that makes you want to WRITE!
September 6, 2011 @ 1:26 am
I’ve never been to Paris (oh how I wish!) but this sounds like so much fun. I hope you’ll have a lot of fun times there, and get a lot of research done at the same times!
September 10, 2011 @ 7:51 pm
Thanks, Emy!! It was a lot of fun and incredibly productive…and filling (I ate way too many baguettes–no joke).
September 6, 2011 @ 1:42 am
Way to live the dream! Have a fabulous trip.
September 10, 2011 @ 7:52 pm
Thanks, Julie!! 😀
September 6, 2011 @ 3:40 am
So jealous!!! I’m DYING to get to New York this year for book research. ))) : I’m desperate to see all the gilded age buildings. x3 Particularly Carnegie Mansion, which is partly the inspiration for my chara’s home. OOOH the history~~~
Sadly, this Canadian needs a passport before she can go mansion hunting.
Good luck and enjoy!! : )
++++ my favourite song from Anastasia. I always play it on repeat in the car between my home and university…: )
September 10, 2011 @ 7:53 pm
Darn passports… There are some pretty fabulous places around Toronto–though I suppose it’s not quite the same. And is your book set in NYC, then? During the Gilded Age? SO COOOOOL!!!
(And WOOT to Anastasia-lovers!!)
September 6, 2011 @ 5:58 pm
Susan,
What an amazing trip you’re going to have! Be sure to watch Woody’s Allen’s latest film, ‘Midnight in Paris’…it is jammed packed with Paris in the 1920s/30s…plus, it’s a lovely story about finding one’s self. Gotta love Woody for that! Also, have you read Hemingway’s ‘A Moveable Feast’? It’s quite inspiring. I started writing my book on a farm in Vitteaux, France…there’s nothing like being in France to garner inspiration and getting busy with BICHOK. We went to Paris and I read my poetry in front of a crowd at Shakespeare and Co. – the oldest bookstore in Paris…still run by descendants of Walt Whitman. Heres’ a link: http://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/
Bon voyage…Oh, what a grand time you’ll have!
Congratulations! Happy writing!
Vanessa
September 10, 2011 @ 7:54 pm
I saw MIDNIGHT IN PARIS last May when I was in Avignon visiting the hubby’s family. It was sooooooo fantastic, and I’ve been dreaming of my Paris-trip ever since!! There really is something about France–Paris in particular–that moves the creative spirit, huh?
And that’s so cool you read your poetry at Shakespeare & Co!!!