Showing posts with label Door County Peninsula. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Door County Peninsula. Show all posts

Friday, April 30, 2021

Zealous Research: Why I Love It! #AtoZChallenge2021

Researching a new novel takes the author on a journey to many new places, whether through books, movies, news articles, or physical travel. When asked what I most enjoy about the research process of writing, I look back to my second novel because it is set in my home state. 


Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin
For DEADLY AS NATURE, the second novel in my Pepper Bibeau Mystery series, I returned to my home state of Wisconsin and spent a couple of weeks revisiting old stomping grounds, especially restaurants like Krolls and Coaches Corner, to refresh my memory.

Some of the highlights of my research trip to the eastern portion of the state included meandering drives around the countryside and along the shores of Lake Michigan; a ferry boat ride from the tip of Door County Peninsula to Washington Island; a tour of an ostrich farm; the sight of a beach made up of limestone pebbles polished by millenniums of wave action; experiencing Packerland and cheese curds anew; and eating fresh perch.

Ostrich Farm on Washington Island
Guide is holding an ostrich egg

Pebble-filled beach on Washington Island
(School House Beach)

My research also included visits to local Wisconsin libraries to view past newspapers, and an interview with a Brown County Police Sergeant. My relevant reading material consisted of such eclectic topics as medical procedure, hypothermia, special breeds of dogs, a 1970 Green Bay Packers - L.A. Rams football game, roofing, roses, and rose chafers. 

Is it any wonder I remain zealous about the research process of writing a novel!

*****

Thank you for visiting today and throughout April. This year's AtoZChallenge has been another great experience and I am so happy to have met or reconnected with many wonderful bloggers. The Scavenger Hunt for designated words for each letter of the alphabet was quite a challenge within a challenge and added to the fun. I'm still short a few but will continue scavenging and will include a detailed list in a follow-up post.

Aloha nui!