LUCY BURDETTE: I definitely enjoy research (think Paris pastries for example!), but I've never thought through all the benefits the way my pal Daryl has. She's here to tell you what she's figured out along the path of many books!
DARYL WOOD GERBER: Don’t groan. It is. It not only expands my mind, it enhances the book I’m writing. Here are five reasons why I enjoy it.
Research feeds my curiosity
When I wrote the Cheese Shop Mysteries, I tasted at least 1000 cheeses over the course of the series. Lucky me. When I wrote the Cookbook Nook Mysteries, I purchased bunches of new cookbooks. Again, lucky me. When I wrote the Fairy Garden Mysteries—I’m going to release a novella in December—I did a deep dive into fairies and myths, and I made numerous fairy gardens that now adorn my garden. Yes, you guessed it. Lucky me!
Research expands my horizons
I like to armchair travel, which I guess most readers do. But sometimes I need to leave the nest and travel to get a feeling for a new place I’m going to include in a series. For my current series, the Literary Dining Mysteries, which are set in the mountains near Asheville, NC, I visited the city and took a few tours in the surrounding towns with my nephew, who lives there. We had fun. When we ate barbecue in Black Mountain, I knew I’d found my fictional town. Plus we met a number of quirky characters, a few of whom made it into the book, with slight alterations, of course. Next, to expand my knowledge of books, I selected the book that would be featured in the first of the series: Pride and Prejudice. Why? Because it’s a superb story, and it’s the favorite of the bookshop owner in the story. She is like an aunt to my protagonist Allie, a caterer and devoted reader. To properly do the references justice, I reread the book and marked (with sticky notes, mind you—no dog-eared pages or magic markers) the quotes I would include at the top of each chapter. Doing the deep dive made my story come alive. I paid attention to the words, the expressions, and the tempo. In addition, I did extensive research about the clothing, music, and food of the Regency Era. Check out the yummy maids of honor recipe on my website here.
Research helps me realize which stories deserve the spotlight
For my newest in the Literary Dining Mysteries, Murder by the Millions, I chose The Great Gatsby as the book the literary dining party would study and discuss. It happens to be one of my all-time favorite novels. The tragic character of Jay Gatsby breaks my heart. I studied the novel and its themes, and I boned up on the clothing, music, and food of the era. To my surprise, while I was writing the book, I visited New York City, and what was on Broadway? The Great Gatsby. I bought a ticket and ensconced myself in the story and mood, as presented in musical fashion. I’ve got to say, that was some of the most fun research I’ve ever done. The story really deserves the spotlight.
Research can blossom into a personal journey
For the first in the Aroma Wellness Mysteries, which is set in Carmel-by-the-Sea, meaning I could use much of the research I’d already gleaned for the Fairy Garden Mysteries, I delved into how to open a spa business, how to conduct a mindful meditation, what various massage techniques require, and the value of crystal readings. What makes this series a bit of a challenge, is I decided to include a café and gift shop at the spa. Both of those businesses required more research. For the café, I experimented with good-for-you recipes. For the gift shop, I learned about the many items it might sell, including baoding balls and fragrant candles and bonsai trees.
However, the bonus to this research is, in order to learn about singing bowls, gemstones, and essential oils, I visited the Native Spirit Lodge, which is located near my house, and I indulged in a sound bath. What a treat. I came out of that place so relaxed!
The downside of research . . . it can be costly
I’ve spent a lot of money on books, cookbooks, gemstones, and essential oils. I’ve bought way too many fairy figurines—I’m obsessed.
The upside? I love using the oils and rubbing the gemstones between my fingertips. And I love all my new books. I love holding them and browsing the pages. Navigating through Internet sites doesn’t feel the same.
Which is why I’ll continue to leave my office occasionally to conduct in-person research. It’s fun. It’s enlightening. It enhances my stories. Lucky me.
REDS, tell us about some research you've done on one of your projects. Commenters will be entered in a drawing for Daryl's giveaway, a copy of the first in the series and swag!
Daryl Wood Gerber is the Agatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author of the Literary Dining Mysteries, Aroma Wellness Mysteries, Fairy Garden Mysteries and Cookbook Nook Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes suspense novels, including the well-received The Son’s Secret, Girl on the Run, and the popular Aspen Adams trilogy. Daryl has published a standalone Christmas romance, Hope for the Holidays, and her short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies. Fun Tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, garden, read, and walk her frisky Goldendoodle. Also she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You can learn more on her website: https://darylwoodgerber.com
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In the beautiful mountain community of Asheville, North Carolina, caterer and personal chef Allie Catt serves up mouthwatering, literary-themed dinner parties inspired by her clients’ favorite books. Her next event is sure to be a roaring success—if a murderer isn’t a killjoy . . .
If it were true that the best thing a girl can be in this world is a fool, then Allie Catt would be out of luck. Fortunately, Allie’s business is a smashing success. And following her Pride and Prejudice event, grander plans await . . .
Feast for the Eyes bookstore manager and Allie’s best friend, Tegan, is hosting a book club soiree and wants it to be a glittering affair based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic Jazz Age-set novel, The Great Gatsby. Soon, Art Deco table settings and visions of flappers are dancing the Charleston in their heads. Even Tegan’s prickly sister, Vanna, is on board. And surely, Allie’s tuxedo cat, Darcy, thinks it’s the cat’s meow.
Amid the planning, charismatic developer Jason Gardner arrives in town to buy some historic buildings on Main Street. He, too, has plans: to create a modern mall. Allie is more than concerned. She even wants to protest. But when Jason invites her to cater a lavish party, she finds him surprisingly likable. Then she’s summoned to his estate for a meeting—and finds him dead.
Once again Allie’s landed in the middle of a crime scene.
I'll never think of research in the same way ever again . . . .
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Daryl, on your newest book . . . what an intriguing story; I'm looking forward to reading it.
Daryl, I love your books, and it seems I am way behind. Lucky me!
ReplyDeleteWhen I wrote my first book, on making money with sewing, I interviewed more than 100 people, and visited a couple dozen workrooms of various kinds: bridal dressmaker, upholstery, costume shop, color guard flagmaker, bespoke tailor, and grocery apron manufacturer, among others. 70 specialties ended up in the book, but there were so many other ideas, it was really fascinating.
wow Karen, you covered a lot of possibilities!
DeleteIf I was ever moved to write a book, I would surely get stuck in the research phase. I love finding out how things work and listening to people talk about a subject with expertise and passion.
ReplyDeleteLisa, it's always a risk, getting sucked into the research rabbit hole:)
DeleteSo much wonderful research, Daryl! Especially seeing the Great Gatsy on stage. Your new series sounds great - congrats on the new book.
ReplyDeleteI've also done all kinds of research, including riding as a passenger in a small nineteenth-century carriage along old carriage lanes (wearing a long skirt). I talked with a forensic anthropologist about what a ninety-year old corpse would look like and to an organic farmer who kept chickens. I've picked the brains of a bike shop mechanic and the owner of a small breakfast-and-lunch restaurant, and of course gone to numerous wine tastings in northern California. So much fun.
I've done my share of research since that was my job and yes it can be costly when you have to invest in an assortment of databases and I've gone done plenty of rabbit holes to find the answers that I needed.
ReplyDeleteWow, you do a very thorough job of researching! There's nothing like hands-on to give you the taste and feel of whatever you are writing about.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a college student on overseas study in Edinburgh, my friend and I decided to write our big paper on folk music in Scotland. We started by visiting a folk music club one night. This led to trips to more clubs, bars, and a train and bus ride to a weekend festival in Keith. We interviewed musicians and made notes. Hamish Henderson was on the bus to Keith, so we were able to interview him. We had the best time and continued going to music festivals and events long after the paper was turned in.
Daryl, your research projects do sound like fun. I think readers can tell when the language and manners fit the time period in which a book is set. There are probably instances when readers recognize a place or an era or even the costumes and the food, and will notice if something is out of time or place. I love it when I learn something completely new, such as information about the advent of rail travel which was subtly included in a historical romance I just listened to. Fascinating. I did not question the accuracy it fit so perfectly into the story.
ReplyDeleteMorning, Paula B here ~ Many years ago I worked as a freelancer for a local magazine and had such a delightful time interviewing even a couple classmates years after our graduation. There was a rival publisher to interview who was a totally delightful guy who said such interesting things that I didn’t hear my recorder turn off at the end of the tape. Didn’t make that mistake again. Then I went into freelancing as a travel writer where I could interview people who worked in the food industry. I loved interviewing chefs and restaurant owners. Lots of good food and stories.
ReplyDelete