I started writing a new book today for the Dallas Fire & Rescue Kindle World. So far all of my books have taken place in Maine and New Hampshire, where I've lived for the past twenty years. Writing about an area I know so well is pretty easy. But writing in a new local required research.
The only time I've been to Dallas was on a layover, and that doesn't count. So where did I go for help? Google, of course. I knew I wanted my heroine to live in an uppity neighborhood in a refurbished 1920's home. She needed a nice backyard and the convenience of being close to the city. In order to describe her home and neighborhood, I went on an online house hunt. I shopped around, compared prices of homes, fixer uppers and the newly built. I investigated the median salary and average age; some neighborhoods are more...established where others are filled with singles and young families. I found my heroine the perfect home, saved the link for future reference, and then searched area restaurants and bars.
The only time I've been to Dallas was on a layover, and that doesn't count. So where did I go for help? Google, of course. I knew I wanted my heroine to live in an uppity neighborhood in a refurbished 1920's home. She needed a nice backyard and the convenience of being close to the city. In order to describe her home and neighborhood, I went on an online house hunt. I shopped around, compared prices of homes, fixer uppers and the newly built. I investigated the median salary and average age; some neighborhoods are more...established where others are filled with singles and young families. I found my heroine the perfect home, saved the link for future reference, and then searched area restaurants and bars.
I wouldn't want a native of the area to call me on any erroneous facts when describing these establishments so I created new places, using existing eateries and stores for inspiration. Styles, colors, and even food choices are vastly different in Texas than in Maine and I want to make sure every detail in my story is true to the Dallas culture.
Nowadays, it's super easy to cross-reference with the Internet. No one wants to read a book that takes place in their neck of the woods only to have the local area described in an atypical fashion. We natives tend to get territorial.
My quick tip: Go online and explore neighborhoods, homes, schools, businesses, restaurants and even the economy in the area you're writing about. It doesn't take a lot of time and you're sure to learn something new.
Nowadays, it's super easy to cross-reference with the Internet. No one wants to read a book that takes place in their neck of the woods only to have the local area described in an atypical fashion. We natives tend to get territorial.
My quick tip: Go online and explore neighborhoods, homes, schools, businesses, restaurants and even the economy in the area you're writing about. It doesn't take a lot of time and you're sure to learn something new.
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