NOVEL RESEARCH From Three Authors' Perspectives

Literature is described as the art of written work. Interviews for “Novel Research” are focused on topics that participants have researched before or while composing a written work. 

As for the novel part of the research, the description of the word novel as a noun is: a fictitious prose narrative of book length, typically representing character and action with some degree of realism. 

But the description for the word novel as an adverb is so much more intriguing:

And synonyms for the adverb seem endless: new, original, unfamiliar, fresh, unorthodox,  unconventional, off-center, imaginative, creative, innovative, futuristic, trailblazing, rare, unique, singular, experimental, uncommon, untested, surprising, strange, exotic, . . . 

Researching a new novel, or other projects such as essays or family genealogy, takes the author on a journey to many new places, whether through books, movies, news articles, or physical travel. On Wednesdays in the coming weeks, writers will share their novel research experiences here on a range of eclectic topics.

The boundaries for topic choices

are mostly defined by

the imagination of the author.

(Under BLOG ARCHIVE in the right hand column, click on "2021" and then "April" for the list of novel research topics I blogged about during the April AtoZ Challenge2021).

Below are short excerpts of interviews from three popular authors who previously shared information about research specific to their published works. (Might they return for a Novel Research interview to share interesting details about one of their favorite research topics?!)

Elizabeth Wilder

Granite Hearts

Amazon.com: Elizabeth Egerton Wilder: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Synopsis: One family, one journey, many paths, all guided by the strength and wisdom of one amazing woman. 

Question: For your second novel, Granite Hearts, where did your research take you? 

E.E. WILDER: Obviously, we made trips to Fort Knox in Prospect, Maine across the Penobscot River from Bucksport to walk the grounds and tunnels. We drove around on one trip and found the spots to place the Ryan and Hodge homes and I took photographs of the terrain, river and roads. We visited museums, read archived newspapers, and chose names from mid-1800’s genealogies. The only books I read were about Joshua Chamberlain and Civil War battles. I have never thought of taking research from movies – I like to discover my own information. In addition I studied antique maps and searched the areas via satellite using MapQuest. I enjoy digging deeper and deeper into bits and pieces on internet search engines. I love finding the occasional surprise that works perfectly to drive the story. 

***** 

Cheryl Lynn Martin

Menehunes Missing

Amazon.com: Menehunes Missing (Hawaiian Island Detective Club) (9781938388248): Martin, Cheryl: Books

Synopsis: It's just a game, right? Wrong! The Menehune Hunt turns into eerie intrigue filled with danger as The Hawaiian Island Detective Club tackles their second genuine mystery.

Question: What did you most enjoy about the research process of your novel, Menehunes Missing?  

CHERYL LINN MARTIN: My research involves mostly Hawaiian things—even though I knew about The Menehune, I still did some research to learn more. I also did research on foods, a few Hawaii locations, and casts (Leilani gets her cast removed in this book.) I always do a lot of observing of some very special people in my life to put together some supporting characters—my favorite part of research and developing characters! 

And then there was my trip to Maui to do some research on some of the areas on the island—now that’s fun research!! 

***** 

Sandra Nikolai

False Impressions

Amazon.com: Sandra Nikolai: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Synopsis: Montreal ghostwriter Megan Scott falls under police suspicion when her husband and a female companion are found murdered.

Question: Research is one of the most important aspects of a writer's work. No matter how knowledgeable the writer is, some research is inevitable. Seasoned authors such as Stephen King may delegate this task. Without the luxury of delegating, did you do your own research for scenes involving the Montreal nightlife, specifically for the strip club Café Cleopatra?

SANDRA NIKOLAI: I grew up in Montreal and am familiar with the nightlife there. That’s not to say I frequented the strip clubs or stood on street corners in the red light district. Heavens, I’m a wife and mother—I have a reputation to maintain! 😊 Kidding aside, I try to ensure that my research information is as accurate as possible. I’ve taken a few liberties with names and places, but the police investigation and legalities—Canadian style—were verified through reliable sources.

 *****

In Pursuit of the Facts with Author Elizabeth Wilder



Author Elizabeth Wilder

Today’s special guest for a FAST FORWARD interview, which focuses on the second novel in a series, is author Elizabeth Wilder. Betty and I first met through the Internet writers group, The Independent Author Network. Her first novel, The Spruce Gum Box, captivated me from the first pages. In my review, I wrote, “Author Elizabeth Egerton Wilder, a born storyteller, has created characters that snap with personality.” As a senior that never gave up on her dream of finding time to write a novel, she launched The Spruce Gum Box on her 72nd birthday. 

Thank you for participating in this interview, Betty, and sharing information about your second novel, Granite Hearts, your research process, and interesting trivia about mason jars gathered in your pursuit of the facts. 

E.E. WILDER: Thank you Gail for including me in your “Fast Forward” interviews. Your questions were probing, causing me to examine my own thought process. It took me a while to work through some areas and in doing so grew to better know my own process. BTW – My muse was most appreciative. 

FAST FORWARD: A story’s protagonist often reflects an author’s personality, or displays characteristics the author has chosen to explore. In your series, the protagonist is “One family, One Journey of early Maine settlers.” Can you please share with us some of the back story that defines your protagonist/family but isn’t included in the published novels? 

E.E. WILDER: Although I can see many traits of people in my life and those of my own in characters in Granite Hearts, I did not start this “journey” with a specific protagonist in mind. I am by nature a curious creature who likes to find the why and how in any new scenario. 

In researching my husband’s family as “pioneers” who helped settle the town of Washburn along the Aroostook River in northern Maine, I found that when they “hacked their way in” through the forest from the coast, many Canadian families were already well established along the river. When visiting the museum housed in the original Wilder home, no one could tell me why the Canadians were there first. So began the five-year process of research to uncover the history and find a way to tell the story of the battle between the US and UK over the boundary of this lucrative lumbering area and the plight of the Micmac Indians being displaced. Thus the story of Jed and Ben evolved to tie the gems of history together. 

In Granite Hearts, the “family” once again was the string, which held together the fascinating history along the Penobscot River. This area was rich in events so the story travelled another 20 years from building Fort Knox, to the Penobscot Indians and their plight, to the underground railroad, to earliest women’s rights. The story continues to the election of Hannibal Hamlin as Lincoln’s first VP, then to the heroics of the Maine 20^th under Joshua Chamberlain in the Civil War. What you showed me was that the protagonist(s) in my stories was the nugget of history I wove together by character driven tales of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, and struggles to survive sometimes-cruel situations. 

FAST FORWARD: After writing the first novel in a series, it seems that subsequent novels would flow out fully formed. The author has the basics down: format for the storyline; a feel for the proper number of plot lines and chapters; techniques for creating a charismatic protagonist and supporting characters; secrets to making the antagonist likeable; and guidelines for adding conflict right up to and through the denouement. How has writing become easier for you; and what remains as difficult now as when you wrote the first novel? 

E.E. WILDER: I had to chuckle at the notion of Granite Hearts flowing out fully formed. I feel my writing technique has become more natural to me, it is easier to form a chapter that will lead the reader to the next and it is not as difficult to dig for new or validating information. I guess I truly like my character protagonists so it is not difficult to make them someone you may want to meet. I have never struggled with secrets to make an antagonist likeable. Just the opposite, I enjoy squeezing every bit of despicable out of them. In Granite Hearts, however, the lead antagonist is an inanimate granite fort that provides a living but at the same time proves negative for the family. 

The final outcome is known to me as is the beginning before I start writing. This helps me focus on ways to reach that outcome. As for how writing is easier, I have gained a lot of confidence in my skills – mostly through trial and error, write and rewrite. My need for research is as difficult now as it was with my first novel for I want fact to be fact, and fiction to be fiction. For example, I wanted the youngsters in Granite Hearts to chase fireflies and put them in mason jars. Were there mason jars at that time? Turned out it was still too early for them. Guess I’ll have the next generation chase them. 

FAST FORWARD: Great comment about squeezing every bit of despicable out of your antagonists! To hold a reader’s attention, a series protagonist must continue to grow or change in each novel. In The Spruce Gum Box, the reader is introduced to the Smythe family, Jedediah Smythe and Adelaide Wingate, and their son, Ben. Early in the novel, Jed meets three boys, including Sean “Uncle calls him Trouble.” Without revealing any spoilers, how does Sean Ryan represent family development and change in Book 2? 

E.E. WILDER: Of the three brothers one had left the Indian settlement on the Aroostook and lived a quiet life as a teacher near Bangor on the Penobscot River. Of the two left only Sean would jump at a chance to start anew with his bride in hopes to provide a better life for her and to escape the bigotry still strong within the growing communities along the Aroostook.  He felt his father’s red Irish hair and fair complexion would carry him in a new environment where no one knew his background. They had just started clearing the land for the new fort and he was not afraid of hard work. His nickname of Trouble still held and his obsessive drive to succeed with dreams of becoming a finish stoneworker drove a negative wedge into his part of the Ryan family development.  

FAST FORWARD: A series requires the presence of a continuing main character. Often, however, there is another recurring character. In your novels, the family represents the protagonist. In Granite Hearts, Sean Ryan is the recurring character who continues the family story with his wife, Gert. However, Gert is actually the strong female protagonist who carries the story. What is Gert’s purpose/role within the story and how well does she handle the suspenseful and often life-changing situations that arise? 

E.E. WILDER: I have always considered The Spruce Gum Box a father/son story but was very surprised when Granite Hearts became a mother/sons story.  I’m not sure if Gert would have become so strong if not for the influence of her next door neighbor, Mrs. Hodge. Her late husband was unusual among men of the times for he made sure their home and large farm was deeded to his widow. She was well traveled, well read, a community activist and no nonsense boss of her thriving farm. She and Gert shared a common love of reading and from there a deep friendship developed that would allow Gert to grow as a woman, not merely a wife under the thumb of a demanding husband. Through grit and determination Gert raised her boys and at times a child-like man, her husband. She handled difficult situations with outward bravery and private weeping. When I told my son that Granite Hearts was becoming a story of a strong woman, he replied “Should I be surprised?” 

FAST FORWARD: Researching a new novel takes the author on a journey to many new places, whether through books, movies, newspapers, or physical travel. What did you most enjoy about the research process of your second novel, and where did your research take you? 

E.E. WILDER: Obviously, we made trips to Fort Knox in Prospect, Maine across the Penobscot River from Bucksport to walk the grounds and tunnels. We drove around on one trip and found the spots to place the Ryan and Hodge homes and I took photographs of the terrain, river and roads. We visited museums, read archived newspapers, and chose names from mid 1800’s genealogies. The only books I read were about Joshua Chamberlain and Civil War battles. I have never thought of taking research from movies – I like to discover my own information. In addition I studied antique maps and searched the areas via satellite using MapQuest. I enjoy digging deeper and deeper into bits and pieces on internet search engines. I love finding the occasional surprise that works perfectly to drive the story. 

Where can fans of your novels find you and your books on the Internet? 

Links:

Website www.EEWilder.com

IAN   http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/elizabeth-wilder.html

Goodreads   http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4556415.Elizabeth_Egerton_Wilder

Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/eewilderauthor/

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.e.wilder

Facebook author site   https://www.facebook.com/eewilder

Twitter  https://twitter.com/eewilder

Blog  LizLogic  http://www.lizlogic.com/

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/pub/elizabeth-wilder/33/215/b16/

Books through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indie Bound – ordered through your local bookstore.

Kindle versions through Amazon.

Wholesale through Ingram, Baker and Taylor, and publisher direct. Discounts given to qualified book clubs.

 

*****

Author Interview with Elizabeth Egerton Wilder

Elizabeth Egerton Wilder’s debut novel, The Spruce Gum Box, began with her fascination in Maine’s Aroostook River and its early pioneers. She has a BA in Art and Education and has worked as a teacher, designer, colorist, small business owner, photographer and watercolor artist. She is also a published poet who believes that bits and pieces of it all, combined with raising her family and her innate appreciation of nature, were all the ingredients needed to fulfill her lifelong goal of writing a book. At seventy-two years young, Elizabeth achieved her goal.

GAIL: It is my pleasure to welcome you here today, Elizabeth. Thank you for taking time to share information about your novel and a bit of the history behind The Spruce Gum Box. (A review of the historical novel follows the interview.)

Rather than the 140 characters we’ve grown accustomed to on Twitter, can you share with us a more detailed account of the novel and your research for The Spruce Gum Box?

ELIZABETH: The seeds for the idea of The Spruce Gum Box were planted in my imagination after a trip to northern Maine to find the small town where my husband's father was born. We found that his ancestors were among the pioneers that established the town in the mid 1800's. I heard that Canadian families had lived along the Aroostook River prior to that and I wondered where they came from and why they were there.

I found no one that could give me an answer so thus began five years of research to discover that both Great Britain and the United States claimed that the valley belonged to them which led to a border dispute and a "war". Now in retirement, I finally had the time to follow a dream of one day writing a book of historical fiction. I knew how my story would begin and how it would end so spent the next year filling in the blanks between and soon realized that my characters led the way through the maze where they would many times surprise me.

The Spruce Gum Box is a story of a young father devoted to the survival of his infant son Ben when they were forced into the Maine wilds with a bounty on his head; how Jed found compassion and support among a struggling family circle of Micmac Indians and how solutions were found through the strong bond created between Jed and the leader of the tribe, Jacob. The book was launched on my 72nd birthday in 2010.

GAIL: Congratulations! Elizabeth. You’ve set an excellent example for people who think retirement signals the beginning of the end when in fact it is a beacon for an exciting new chapter in life.

Is “the job” the most important part of your protagonist’s life in The Spruce Gum Box?

ELIZABETH: If you consider Jed's "job" as one of protecting and raising Ben under the most difficult circumstances, then it was the most important part of his life. During the many months of the lumbering season, he trusted his adopted community with the care of his son as he and Jacob worked in the unforgiving forests in an effort to secure a better future of them all.

GAIL: The Mystery/Suspense genre is the focus of Fast Five interviews, but what unique twist makes your novel stand out?

ELIZABETH: I would say the unique twist is that the genre is historical fiction but it does offer suspense in the twists and turns of dodging bounty hunters, coming within a toes length of being caught by his major antagonist and the everyday danger of working within the falling giant pines where the ax men used their skills.

GAIL: How does your main character’s profession draw him into suspenseful situations, (murder, for instance?)

ELIZABETH: Sorry, no murder but there would have been if his sweetheart's father had caught him. You see, Ben was the bastard child of Jed and his beloved Addie. The suspense is found in the struggle to survive.

GAIL: Is this book part of a series, and are you working on a sequel?

ELIZABETH: I have finished the sequel. Granite Hearts continues the story of the families along the Aroostook River through a young couple introduced in The Spruce Gum Box who relocate 100 miles south to the Penobscot River where he hopes to find work building the proposed granite fort to protect Bangor from a British invasion as is feared by the US government.

Life is still harsh for a "half-breed" and it is thought they could build a better future in a new location.

Where in SGB the father is the strong figure, Granite Hearts features a strong young mother with opinions not usual for a woman in the years between 1844 and 1865. This tale takes the Ryan family through the Civil War and is scheduled to be launched on my 74th birthday at the end of June. I have started research on the final in what is turning into a trilogy. Working title, The Rail. (Not sure Mr. W is pleased but it keeps my brain active.)

GAIL: This last is not a Fast Five question, more an “if/then” scenario: If Paris is not an option, then where would you most like to spend your time writing and why.

ELIZABETH: It would be seasonal. Younger, I always yearned to be on an island off the coast of Maine or perhaps at an isolated lighthouse like Jamie Wyeth. Now, a bit more practicable dream would be a cabin (with wi-fi) at the tip of one of the many 'fingers' of land that reach out into the ocean. A secluded peninsular spot where I could sit under a pine and listen to the surf roll in beneath me against the rocky coast while my muse danced from one wave crest to another. 

Did you know if all the inlets and coves of Maine were stretched into a straight line there would be nearly 3,500 miles of tidal coastline? Of course, I am happy right where I am for the winter in my senior community home where I can watch the snow and not have to shovel it. 

Links to Elizabeth Egerton Wilder sites and her historical novel, The Spruce Gum Box: 

My IAN page: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/elizabeth-wilder.html

The Spruce Gum Box at Amazon: The Spruce Gum Box

Facebook: Elizabeth E Wilder

Twitter: @eewilder

Elizabeth Wilder’s blog: http://www.lizlogic.com/

Review of author Elizabeth Egerton Wilder The Spruce Gum Box

 by Gail M Baugniet

“Kept me Emotionally Invested Throughout”

One of my hobbies (or avocations - considering the amount of time involved) is family genealogy research. Of special interest is a branch that stretches from Wisconsin to Canada to France. Imagine my delight while reading the first pages of The Spruce Gum Box to discover this novel relates, in part, to Canadians in the early 1800's. This connection sent me sailing through the story.

Author Elizabeth Egerton Wilder, a born storyteller, has created characters that snap with personality. The protagonist, Jed, is a tall lanky white male, transplanted from England to Maine. How the author keeps Jed holding his own against a fatherly sagamore, a wizened tribal great grandmother, plus a set of precocious triplets, escapes me. But she does it very well.

After Jed is forced into the wilderness as sole caretaker of his infant son, salvation comes in the form of an Indian Micmac settlement and its leader. The generosity and caring nature of these people helps Jed to survive, and his son to thrive. During this time, the source of Jed's dilemma hovers in the background, always threatening to prevent or destroy any happiness for Jed and the child.

With this conflict looming, Wilder's historical novel unfolds amid a suspenseful blend of border disputes, greedy individuals, and the risks inherent in lumberjacking. Several tense logging scenes mesmerized me. Pleasantly predicable passages added to the enjoyment of reading this story. Unexpected subtle humor, and an often frustrating display of human nature, kept me emotionally invested throughout. 

The Spruce Gum Box at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Spruce-Gum-Box-ebook/dp/B0040ZN1IO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339114428&sr=1-1