Monday, July 11, 2016

Walking in Fictional Shoes



I thought about something this morning that’s never come up before, although it might have been lurking in the peripheral parts of my brain. We often walk the same path as our protagonists without realizing it.

I just started writing a new Sandi Webster story. She’s going to try to solve a crime that occurred in the 1930s. The incident took place in what was a small farming community at the time. My plan is to use a real town, not a fictional location.

This is going to involve plenty of research. So far I’ve had trouble discovering some of the history that would be pertinent to the story and town. I can find all kinds of information involving the late 1800s and early 1900s, but not much about the 1930s.

When we research, we need to come at things pretty much the same way as our protagonists. Obviously, Sandi is going to have trouble finding information, too.

For instance, I’ve already discovered that there was no police department in the town during the time period I’m interested in. The town wasn’t incorporated until 1955, which is when the department came on the scene. Who would have investigated the crime in the 1930s? Where could Sandi find records, if they still exist? I’ve heard through the grapevine that there were five Marshal’s in the area. Now I have to determine if that’s true, or if the County Sheriff would have handled the matter, and if there would still be records available to peruse.

Many stories include diaries or letters to give the protagonist needed information. I’ve used letters in a story, and I used a journal kept by a town lawman in another. But those things wouldn’t always be available in real life.

So our character has to do some imaginative research and sleuthing, especially if the crime was committed so long ago that there are no longer any witnesses to question. Hopefully, for this story there will still be some old timers still hanging around the area.

Coincidences? Yes, sometimes a coincidence can lead the character to a resolution, but in real life this would be fairly rare – which leads back to hard work and a lot of digging.
Old newspapers can be extremely helpful. You can find out what people were like and what was going on in the period you’re interested in. I plan to talk to someone at a local newspaper this week, and hopefully they’ll have copies of old news.

Sandi would have to do the same things I’ll be doing. She won’t be walking into a house where someone is waiting to hand her a list of answers. She’s going to have to work for a resolution.

Why on earth would she feel the need to solve an old crime? In her case, she has a reputation for solving old murders. Oh, yes, she’s solved current crimes, too, but there’s something challenging about the crimes of the past.

If you enjoy the Sandi Webster mysteries, keep a good thought for me. So far I haven’t been able to find much of the background I need for the story. I’d much rather include facts where they’re necessary rather than make things up for convenience.

Walk in your protagonist’s shoes and solve things along with him or her. You’ll meet some new people and have a good time putting the story together.

Yes, you can do a lot of research at the library and on the Internet, but some things just aren’t at your fingertips. Sometimes you have to work for every tidbit, just like your character. Hopefully you’ll have a good time doing it.

Until next time, read some old newspapers. You’ll be surprised at how different life was in other eras, and how much it can sometimes be similar.

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website
CLICK HERE for a quick trip to Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=marja+mcgraw&sprefix=marja+mc%2Caps%2C718                               https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=marja+mcgraw&sprefix=marja+mc%2Caps%2C718

The two books referenced above are A Well-Kept Family Secret and Old Murders Never Die

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=marja+mcgraw&sprefix=marja+mc%2Caps%2C718

Choosing One Moment - A Time Travel Mystery is just waiting for you to read.

 

20 comments:

  1. Marja,
    I LOVE your Sandi Webster mystery series and the two books you referenced are my favorites. So, of course, I look forward to the new book. Good luck with your research!

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    1. Thank you, Pat! Your words are like music to my ears. I'm keeping a positive thought about the research. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  2. Since I hate research (I really do), I admire your tenacity and interest. I've probably said this before but there are times when I wish I had created an alternate universe as the setting for all my stories. And no research would be necessary--just a wild imagination. And like Patricia G., I love the Sandi Webster mysteries.

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    1. Thank you, Pat! Pure fiction would be so much fun, but we can't always get away with that. : ) Thank you so much for commenting!

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  3. Looking forward to another Webster mystery. Might want to checkout county records office. Lots of informal conversations take place while folks wait. Your research always makes books more interesting we readers appreciate your efforts.

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    1. County records is a good idea, Jake. On my list. And thank you. Thank you so much for commenting today!

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  4. Hopefully those older people who were around then will be able to pass along some good information. You're right about old newspapers. They were so different in the past, and you can learn a lot by reading them.

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    1. I hope you're right, Dorothy. I've learned, thanks to working on family history, that old newspapers can be fascinating and full of surprises about other times. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  5. Good advice, Marja. I once spent two years behind a microfilm machine at the library to research a history book which became a college textbook. Ninety-eight years scanning old newspapers. I'd never do it again, but I still have enough research to write another dozen books.

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    1. Congratulations on the textbook, Jean! You might not do it again, but I'll bet you learned some interesting things. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  6. Allow me to rephrase that. I meant I scanned 98 years' worth of old newspapers. LOL

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    1. LOL I had a feeling that's what you meant.

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  7. You always manage to come up with some really good storylines, Marja. Can't wait to read the next Sandi Webster mystery.

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    1. Thank you, Evelyn! You do, too. I hope I can find the time I need to work on this story. Even though there won't be much history in the story, it's still going to need lots of research. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  8. Great, looking forward to a new Sandi Webster mystery!! I really like her. And as always a great and thoughtful post. Thought I'd check FB before I started writing for today, and saw your link. Glad I did. For me, I think I'm living vicariously through my characters, they're doing things I'd never dare or have the opportunity to do. And there we are, side by side...

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    1. Thank you, Madeline! It's fun to walk in their shoes sometimes, isn't it? So far, neither Sandi nor I are having much luck with our research for her new adventure. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  9. My main protagonist is a drop-dead gorgeous yet modest Scotland Yard detective in whose shoes I could never walk; but I could put him in parts of England that I have spent time in and in the sequel bring him to the Pacific Northwest, where I just happen to live. Since he's a man and I'm not, I gave him a co-protagonist in the second book, a romantic interest, an American woman whom he met on the first case who just happens to live in the Pacific NW and have traits I admire. I had to do a lot of research, too, but for me that's one of the most fun parts of writing cozies, and the Internet has made it so much easier. I'm new to Sandi Webster stories, but did enjoy this blog. It's fascinating to hear how other writers go about creating their fictional worlds. Thanks!

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    1. Your series sounds fascinating, Deborah. Think of it this way. If he's researching something or looking for clues, you're in his shoes doing the same thing. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  10. I don't walk in my character, Christy Bristol's shoes because I make them very uncomfortable for her to wear. I put her through terrible things because she's such a wallflower. It's my way of prodding her to get involved. Maybe readers who feel fearful will also find courage.

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    1. I hope the readers do take courage, Sunny. Having once been a wallflower, I get it. Great series! Thank you so much for commenting!

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