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Today I'm over on Booked and Loaded under the Authors After Dark Author Spotlight talking about Research for Erotica.Two stories written and submitted, so now I'm looking at my to-do list at various writing tasks, as in research and actual writing, and it shouldn't surprise anyone reading this that it's wildly varied. So much so, I thought I'd give you a visual glimpse into my brain:
What you're called was up to your parents and some people change them, either by using a nickname or legally, but they often say a great deal about a person.
It's pretty much the same when it comes to a writer giving a character their name. Maybe that's why some authors will say they gave birth to their characters, although I'm more apt to say I built them from the ground up - flaws and all.
With that in mind, there are two ways for me the naming comes to fruition. The plot is already fleshed out in my head and the characters need to be worked into that as I'm writing the story. Then there are those times when I have a character who is looking for a happy ending. Here's a small portion of how I work it out.
Technically, I wasn't the one being researched, my family was and apparently still is, and I found it somewhat disconcerting.
Let me explain.
My sister is the keeper of the family tree and works hard to unearth new information. Recently she received a phone call from someone wanting to interview her about our Great-grandfather and his brother, a murder victim whose case remains unsolved.
When my grandmother and her sister were alive they were contacted over the years by a few writers who wanted to "solve" the mystery, and add unimpeachable tidbits from family members to make it more acceptable. Doing those interviews never turned out well and bothered the two greatly. I remember my grammy crying after one particular book was released, full of salcious asides to make it more media worthy. Newspapers wrote articles, invaded their privacy further, and in the end both ladies weren't pleased to have shared their memories of a difficult childhood.
Yes, I love research, and want to know all the information I can digest before writing a book with the subject involved, so I understand when someone wants to delve in deeper. However, this was personal, and we're done with the speculations that have involved our long past family members being written and exploited to help sell more books.
Sisters response to the request: no.
It's an adventure to delve into the realm of research, especially when I know just enough to encourage my interest. So what have I recently been seeking more information about?
Mary McFadden, an American fashion designer.
After a quick look, there wasn't much beyond the bullet point details of her life, career and education, but I had a specific focus I wanted to know more about before mentioning it - no matter how limited - in my WIP. Back in the days when fashion was my focus, McFadden was a designer I found interesting, and still do, and it grew out of a fascination with Fortuny's.
Fortuny [left] and McFadden [right] were both inspired by the Ancient Greek fashion, and the fabrics they added their own twist to helped. In the early 1900's, Fortuny used rollers and treat the gowns like "skeins of yarn" to help hold their shape, and gown owners would return them to the designer when they needed to be repleated. McFadden, with modern technology, moved the process a step further, and the pleats were made permanent. Travel and elegance abounded through these two designers collections and I focused on the elegance side that looked beautiful and a variety of body shapes.
Fashion is fascinating and so is fabric!
Are you a writer who writes or wants to write a contemporary crime family type book? Or maybe you love the gangster flicks like The Godfather Series and Goodfellas, or maybe more recently convert with the Sopranos tv series. Either way, have I got something for you!
Ditch the archetypal stereotype of a mafioso and start thinking outside the box.
To help you do that, you might want to watch a documentary called: A Very British Gangster: The Rise and Fall of a Crime Boss. The man leading this modern day family of thugs and thieves was [although, from what I saw in this flick, I think he still has his fingers in the "biz"] working in Northern England is Dominic Noonan aka Lattlay Fottfoy. A big man with a fabulous Mancurian accent is protective and concerned for his children and those that are a part of his extended family, a violent crime boss, and gay.
That's right, gay.
I'm sure that the definition of a crime boss, if there is one, doesn't say they have to be heterosexual. Who would want to dictate anything to someone who wouldn't blink an eye after killing someone.
Hmmm, makes for an interesting twist to the tale, and how he continuously was found not guilty still amazes me. The youngsters in his family are another reason to see this documentary. One relative, when he gains a few more years, could very well be leading the Noonan gang while another is set on being the next Elvis. I dare you not to cry during the funeral. Oh, and be prepared, paranetal guidance does not exist.
Anyway, you can watch this one immediately if you're a member of Netflix.
Research.
What is that?
It's a necessity and something a writer does to better understand a particular thing. One of your goals is to write a story that puts the reader right there alongside your hero and heroine. To do that, you need to know about whatever it is you're writing about from all angles.
How long does it take?
Don't be stingy, take as long as is necessary.
Where do I go, the library?
Absolutely! You can go to your local library and troll through the shelves, or go with a list of specific books. You can also do research online, by asking questions or conducting interviews of people who would know, or experience it for yourself.
I'm writing fiction, doesn't that mean it's all made up?
Hmmm, to a certain extent, yes, you are making the plot and characters up. However, if there is anything or anyplace that is real, say like New York City, then it must be handled correctly. If you don't and it slips by your editor as well, then you can be sure a reader will call you out on it. And they should, because you pulled them out of the story by not doing your research. 
Okay, there's the back story, and in reality, it led to Taming Marie Antoinette. One of the scenes that pulled it all together was when the heroine goes to a cafe to do some work and eat a late lunch:
Liana entered the historic sweet shop Ladurée and sighed, feeling lighter in spirit already. She loved this place with a passion, its marble black and white checkerboard floor, with dark wood and glass cases full of sugared treats. This was a place she could see herself living in if given the choice. Off to the right, behind a screen and a few tall plants was an ornate and intimate dining room full of mirrors, gilding and cherubs on the ceiling. When her turn came, she requested a seat for one and told the woman she’d be eating lunch as well.
Settling into one of the bench seats backed up against the wall, she set the menu down and looked around the room. There was a wonderful mix of people. Lovers, friends, business meetings and even a few tourists, almost filled the space. The seat across the table from her was empty, which suited her. She pulled out her notebook and a couple of colored pencils from her coat pocket.
A few moments later the waitress, wearing a white apron, came up and took her order.
“Bonjour. Bonjour. Etes-vous prêt?”
“Oui, s'il vous plaît, une omelette sans les champignons ou les tomates, une cruche d'eau et un pot de chocolat chaud.” She always ordered a pot of hot chocolate whenever she was here but rarely an omelet. Although they were good, there was no way she’d eat anything with a mushroom and tomato within sniffing distance but today she wanted the fluffy egg item so asked for one without the offending items.
“Bien.”
She didn’t have to wait long after ordering. The jug of water and pot of chocolate came before the omelet. She poured a small glass of water and took a sip, before moving on to the good stuff. She enjoyed watching the thick molten chocolate silently slip into her delicate cup. Picking up the hot pink and gold china, her eyes automatically shut as she inhaled the delicious aroma. Moving the rim to rest on her lower lip, Liana tilted the cup and poured a small amount of warm decadence to hold in her mouth before swallowing.
“Pardon.”
“Excuse me, mademoiselle.”
“Oh! I’m so sorry.”
“Est-ce que ça vous ennuierait partageant votre table avec un autre?”
Startled, she’d been so lost in the chocolate she hadn’t noticed the young woman standing close to the side of her table asking if she’d be comfortable with having another person share her table.
“Oui, oui, of course.”
It was common to have to share a table in the small space. Coming after the lunch crowd was because she preferred not to, but would never think to put the staff out by saying no. Moving her notebook and pencils to the bench beside her, she shifted her beverage paraphernalia closer, making sure there was space available for the other person.
Out of her peripheral vision, she saw a large presence in a dark suit sit in the chair opposite, but didn’t look up. She hadn’t come here for idle repartee.
“Thank you for making room for me.”
The familiar deep, sexy growl brought gooseflesh racing up her arms. Immediately her eyes flicked up to meet sharp green orbs with soft brown flecks. Were they the same ones she’d seen surrounded by a black half mask? Quickly she took in his hair, general physique, and gasped in surprise.
“Oui, we meet again, Liana.”
Her heart started racing. She was sharing her table with one of the twins from the Depravity Dance.
Copyright © 2007, 2008 Tilly Greene
Did all that happen during my visit to the cafe? Nope, but I imagine you can pick out what did. The decor, the food [and yes the hot chocolate was divine], the type of people who were there, and then poetic license took over. So, my advice in regards to doing research is simple:
Do the research, do it well and in depth. Take notes and pictures to refer back to. Then, when it comes to writing, the details will flow along with the words.
researching while traveling over on the Erotic Muses Blog! Come on over and give it a read, ask a question or two, I'll be there :-)
research and it's up at the Coffee Time Romance Cafe Chronicles and it's UP!
Head over and check out some of what an author is doing when they tell you they're "researching" something for a plot.
This month I'm knee deep in my 'Come' series and that means Russia! Where I'm double checking some of my information for the opening prologue [hmmm] just so happens to be from one of my text books and this led me to a Book Talk! on my Russian book shelves.
A History of Russia by Nicholas V. Riasanovsky is just one of the many books I kept from my time in the classroom that I enjoy rereading. Russia's history is anything but simple and boring. Through the rule of individual princes to the Tsar's and on to today where they have a prime minister/president system, there is much intrigue and behind the scene happenings that just might help you understand where this country is coming from.
One of the first books I ever read about this country and its history was Peter the Great by Robert Massie. A one of a kind man who had a vision for Russia and did it, without a care for the detractors around him and there were many. Nicholas and Alexandra also by Massie is another book that brings a great deal of insight into the man on the throne and in this case his wife who was strong enough to have some influence.
Because my studies stopped abruptly with the end of the Romanov reign I have only a dozen or so books beyond it but I did like Khrushchev by Roy A. Medvedev & Zhores A. Medvedev. He's a fascinating man in the Soviet period. Stalin is a man I'd make the time to read more about. I know he was Georgian and cruel, but really that's about it and I should know more because he was able to control this nation with an iron fist that is most likely still felt by some of the people today. One of these days I'll get to Stalin by Edvard Radzinsky which is sitting on my to be read stack.
If you're not a fan of non-fiction then I'd highly recommend these three books to give you a good taste of Russia through various stages. Eugene Onegin by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin , this is a tale before politics takes over all aspects of life. Petersburg by Andrei Biely, a story that takes place on the cusp of change. Finally, my favorite and the one that led me into the classroom for more, A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn - short and packs a serious punch. There's many more fictional books on my shelves that I'd recommend and think I'll have to do another Book Talk! about them in specific.
As this is Women's History Month there's one more very interesting read is the Five Sisters by Barbara Engel. At a time when many people thought women were only for the home, here is the story of five women who took part in trying to overthrow a Tsar.
Happy Reading!
Last week my TT was about where we stayed in Milan. It was a treat all on its own. I was on my own for most of it, cutie had to work some seriously long hours - even jetted off to Paris for a day. Today I'm going to list 13 highlights from the trip:
1.
The Duomo is the most noted of all the sights and it is impressive. There are a many many statues decorating the outside, even a few women, placed there over decades by different artists. I found the crypt - not my usual fortay - interesting. I should've realized then that the gems of Milan would be hidden.
2.
One night the cutie and I were in town and this has to be one of the most vibrant sunsets I've seen. The Duomo is at our back and were looking toward the Castle. Wow!
3.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is right off the Piazza del Duomo [think Traffalgar Square with all the bird - eek] and is full of shopping. No, I didn't take these pictures, mine were far too dark. I had to laugh when I noticed McDonalds was located across from Savini - way upmarket restaurant. Nice. No, I didn't spin on the bull for luck but did shop in one of my favoritebookshops - Rizzoli. Great selection :-) Opposite the Duomo entrance is the one from Teatro alla Scala. Didn't get a chance to go in but would've loved to have - it looks stunning!
4.
The Castello Sforzesco was much more than I'd expected. It's a Castle with a handful of museums inside, but it was the wildlife that caught my attention first. There are over 50 wild cats that have been adopted by the staff and they live in the walls of the building. If you can't see the one white cat in this first pic...
here is a close up...yup, he came out of the hole for scaffolding to sit in a sunny spot on the ledge.
5.
The various museums were a great mixture from Mummy's to musical intruments, but I had one favorite. I could take a picture - too dark - so borrowed these here and here so you guys can get a brief idea of what it looks like. Leonardo Da Vinci was painting the ceiling and walls in this room while working on The Last Supper. It's a pergola and so much more. It's been covered by paneling for decades before they discovered what was underneath. Eventually the limbs and trunks of the trees start digging in through the rock foundation. It is a powerful piece.
6.
Please forgive me for not remembering which church this one is and cobbling the picture together from two, but the beauty is in the differences. This is the backside and interesting to see how many different additions there have been. In front, there was a bride and groom out on the front steps being congratulated and an inside out collande full of young goths. I never really understood what the single row of columns and partial architrave were from, but it was an interesting mixture going on out front and in back. Oh, and the parc where the goths feeling romantic were decorating the benches used to be where they hanged people. Yup, had to laugh.
7.
Did you know there's a canal district in Milan? There is and it's a hot bed of fun! This is where the parties are at night and during the day the shopping is interesting. I forgot to take a picture but there was one guy who had a shop right on the canal and he painted the most incredible purses. Yes, purses that looked so real someone might of picked one off a counter. If he hadn't been closed I think I would've checked it out for one for myself. Fun, quirky, and fell perfectly into the Hot Couture series. Oh yeah, remember, I was in Milan doing research for "His High Stepper" - work, work, work :-)
8.
On the otherside of the canal was a crepe shop! Dang, can't remember what it was called but it was spectacular. The Italians seem to love Nutella. It isn't something I care for so went for a limone e zucchero [lemon and sugar] and it was divine. It was a great little shop, all of those brown things in the cupboard and handmade cones for the gelato, which is found under those brass bells. I did partake a couple of cups of gelato and it was lovely!
9.
I walked, lots. Each morning I'd take the bus to the Central Train Station and from there hop on the Metro and take it to the area I wanted to explore and walk. I enjoy finding the everyday life of these places I visit. Whenever I know I'm going someplace new I get 2 things: popout map and travel guide [like the DK Eyewitness Travel ones because they give you history of the place, details and more about what else there is besides what the place is known for]. Getting off the well known path is how I feel like I get to know some place.
10.
Walking off one of the pedestrian only streets in the Fashion District was a busy street and this was across the way. Really look at it. The windows are different, there's arches for structure but off from those above them, and up top is a fresco. It made me pause - I enjoy finding interesting things like this.
11.
When you see pictures of European cities, you often see these huge double wooden doors, sometimes with a small portal in them and sometimes not. I often wonder what's behind them. Some drive their cars through them for parking, some have private roads behind them, others have extensive gardens. This one had a courtyard with cannons. It was a museum so open to the public.
12.
You guys know me, what's a trip without some cioccolata and once with panna [cream]! Trust me, the cream was a distraction, the chocolate was so thick you ended up with a face full of the stuff before tasting the dark glory :-) The bottom cup won the award for the thickest cup...as it cooled I needed a spoon!
13.
I saved my favorite place for last - the Villa Belgiojoso Bonaparte. This is a place you go to see for the structure as well as the art found inside. Although full of guards, it was all very relaxed with a gem around every corner. One room I walked throug had a young man with a lifesized portrait leaning against the wall and was cleaning it while a young woman was taking detailed photos of the hardwood floors - for repairing. The next room over is the one you see above. Those were the last people I saw for 3 hours when they closed for a 2 1/2 hour lunch :-) From this floor up to the attic was full to the brim of treasures.
My only disappointment, there was no guide for the Villa or any other place other than the Duomo. Such a shame really. The one book I came away from Milan with was The Sforza Castle with watercolors by Jack Tow and text by Amelie Gale.
Many people have mentioned to me that Milan is an industrial city and therefore boring - I beg to differ, I found some of my favorite places and things of all time here. So, if you're ever given an opportunity to visit this city, GO!
Happy Valentine's Day everyone :-)
Back at the start of December the cutie went off to Milan and I went to the New York Small Press & Independent Press Book Fair. It was a wonderful fair, met some truly interesting people, but I knew I would've enjoyed a new adventure with the cutie as well. So, when he had to make the trip again, I went along and what a wonderful hotel he found - and not two blocks away from where he was working. Let me share some of my favorite bits of the Villa Torretta in Parc Nord, Milan.
No, I didn't take this picture, it was dark when I finally thought about doing it. Oh, I guess I should give you a little background on the hotel. It's a renovated 15th century villa that was going to be torn down until they decided it was a true gem inside, because under all the years of white wash and wallpaper were the original frescoes.
The cutie and I were up every morning to eat breakfast together and there were two ways down the hallways from our room to the restaurant.
1.
Downstairs, along the outside hallway and then back upstairs [this is the view of the picture above], or down the hallway from our room. This took us through:
2.
a sitting room,
3.
another sitting room,
4.
a ballroom,
5.
and another ballroom with a coffered ceiling painted with birds,
6.
and into the hallway where the buffet was set up.
7.
And of course I'd enjoy a cioccolata [I could spend another post on this alone, it was gorgeous, thick but not sweet] in one of 3 rooms.
8.
9.
10.
Other highlights in the Villa are:
11.
This is the Torretta Belevedere, which takes some interesting twists and turns to get up to, but it's worth it. I'd bring my laptop up here and get some writing done - yeah, I know, deadlines are deadlines.
12.
This is just one example of how interesting the structure is. The picture is looking down from the 5th floor to the 3rd where there's a glass floor, through which you can see a doorway which doesn't meet up with the current floor - which is as old as mud. These types of unique bits and pieces were all over the place, with a bricked up doorway there and a odd beam ending hanging out over there. Just great.
13.
If you go outside the Villa using the opposite side as the one shown above, then you come out onto a brick courtyard. There's a park on one side and a Chapel on the other. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to go inside, we were out with associates of the cuties the night it was open for a festival. I've seen pictures though and it is as frescoed as the rest of the villa. Incredible!
The staff were very kind and gave me a copy of their guide...research guys, it's all in the name of research :-) I'm not sure how I'll use this gem in "His High Stepper", but it will definitely be there.
Next week I'll show you a few of the highlights from my various trips into the center of Milan.
