How I Set the Scene by Leila Brown
When I started my book ‘The Diamond Heartstone’ I had to decide where I wanted it to take place. I knew the book was about white tigers. So I Googled big cat reserves. I found one that borders a national forest in California. I then used Google maps to show me the surrounding area. Then I chose where I would put a reserve.
From the maps I chose an area that was surrounded by four lakes. Perfect. There was enough living area and water holes for a large number of animals. I printed out one color and one black and white photo. My inspiration.
One week later imagine my surprise when I see the area from the air. Yep, while on a vacation to San Francisco I see it from the air. Unprepared me has no camera ready. I try to remember everything I can about it. How green is it? How blue is the water? Are there any houses, or anything nearby?
So now I know it’s really close to San Francisco by air. I decide that I am going to use this trip for major research. I take pictures and document everything. The zoo. The coffee shops. The scenery. The neighborhoods. Everything.
If I don’t write it down, I take pictures. Pictures that capture the emotion of the place. When I get home I am more than ready to write. I have the pictures. I have the feel. Only thing I don’t have is the words. And coming up with those is a whole other story!
Leila Brown
The Diamond Heartstone ~ Coming Nov. 21st from Cobblestone Press
http://www.leilabrown.com
http://leilabrown.blogspot.com
November 21st, 2007 at 7:10 am
Happy Thanksgiving!!
- Robin
November 21st, 2007 at 8:07 am
It is very interesting to see how you chose the location. That is a great idea because with the pictures you can write it so the readers can visualize it. Do you storyboard with the pictures?
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:36 am
Great way of using photos to write your books. All the best for you with your release of THe Diamond Heartstone.
November 23rd, 2007 at 7:08 am
Yes, I do storyboard. I love to make a mobile storyboard so that it can go with me as I write at my local borders or the small coffee shop in my home town. I plan to blog about it next month so watch for it.
Thanks to everyone for the comments.
Leila
November 23rd, 2007 at 7:24 am
Fabulous! I can’t wait. Hmm can you take a picture of the mobile storyboard?? That would be great to show everyone
November 30th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
While I don’t use a storyboard–or maybe I do, but mine’s in my head!–I do think it’s a help when writing a book. For one thing, if it’s a series, it saves a lot of time because you don’t have to keep going back to earlier books in the series to get details right. Hmm, maybe I will do one for the new series I’m staring, going back to look for details is a real pain. Thanks for the posting–looks like I’ll profit by having read it. And the best of luck with the book. Jane
August 19th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Some genuinely great blog posts on this website , thanks for contribution.