Tags
Belvedere Castle, Calvert Vaux, Central Park, Central Park Conservancy, Cleopatra's Needle, Elizabeth Fais, Ellen Gregory, Frozen Hot Chocolate, Manhattan, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY13SCBWI, NYC, SCBWI, Serendipity 3, Subway, The Met, The Plaza Hotel, Waldorf Astoria
Research is one of my favorite parts of the writing process. It’s an intriguing exploration into worlds-yet-unknown, where the story comes to life and becomes real. I had a few final details to research in Manhattan for my project, which was major reason behind my coast hopping to New York City in early February. (pic by moi)
Yes, I went to NYC to attend the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Winter Conference (NY13SCBWI), which was wonderful in all the ways such conferences are. But I had another agenda too… Research.
The Character of Central Park Landmarks…
My project takes place in and around New York City’s Central Park, and a couple of the landmarks played such an important role in the story that they became characters themselves…
Cleopatra’s Needle: The oldest man-made object in Central Park
Image by Central Park Conservancy, the organization responsible for restoring and maintaining Central Park’s historic beauty.
Belvedere Castle: Built in 1869 by Calvert Vaux
Image by Central Park Conservancy
Her Way is the Subway…
Most New Yorkers use public transportation to get around town. My protagonist is no different. She uses the subway, so I followed in her footsteps. There beneath the streets of Manhattan, I discovered the amazing signage from a bygone era (pic by moi)…
Historical Ruins in the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is important to my protagonist and her story as well, so I had to experience the collection first-hand. What impressed me most (and I was an art major, so I’ve been to lots of art museums) is that The Met houses reconstructed historical rooms and ruins … not just the typical types of art (pics by moi)…
Serendipity 3: Frozen Hot Chocolate
Like many teenagers, my protagonist loves coffee and chocolate. And what better place to meet her friends than Serendipity 3? While conspiring, they consume coffee drinks and Serendipity’s world-famous Frozen Hot Chocolate. Which is to die for, by the way (pics by moi)…
The Plaza … Of course!
My next stop was The Plaza Hotel, where my protagonist’s grandfather owns a private suite. Yes, on the top floor … one with a turret. Eloise does not have anything to do with my story, but I had to take this picture because nothing says “The Plaza” like Eloise. The photo on the right is of The Palm Court restaurant (pics by moi)…
Hiding Out at The Waldorf Astoria…
Last but not least was a visit to The Waldorf Astoria, where my protagonist is forced to go into hiding. Yeah, I know. Tough break sistah. You might wish you had her financial backing … but you don’t want the problems tied to it. Trust me.
The lobby of The Waldorf Astoria is an architectural marvel…
How do you discover your character’s world?
Ellen Gregory’s recent post on her “research” experience with beads and braids, inspired me to share this pictorial research tour.
What type of research helps you discover your character’s world?
Elizabeth Fais 
Looks like you had a lot of fun researching – love your photos. I also love NYC and went to all of the places you did when I was there with my youngest a couple of years ago. This post really brings your story to life. Can’t wait to read it someday! 🙂
I did a couple of extensive “research” excursions to Central Park earlier in the project. I was after visceral details on this trip for the places I could mostly research online. I think it’s wonderful that you share your travel adventures with your children. I know they will remember those trips with great fondness when they are older. 😉
How fantastic to be able to follow the route of your protag in real life. I’d love to able to do that, but with fantasy, alas, it’s all in my head. I have to experience around the edges. I’d love to visit NYC one day — so many places to visit! Looks so awesome. Thanks for the shout out too. 🙂
Yes, it is a thrill to be able to go where my protag goes and see the same things she would see. But I think you can accomplish the same sort of *feelings* with *around the edges* types of research. What excites me so much about NYC is the history that’s just about everywhere. Maybe that’s because I grew up in Southern California where most everything was built around 1950. 🙂 NYC is a fun city with lots to see, and I found the people quite helpful and friendly.
Last summer I took a research trip to L.A. for my W.I.P – combined it with some school shopping for the daughter, because there’s nothing better at building a high school freshman’s confidence than a couple cool outfits from the BIG big city. Then in October I had an opportunity to go to a conference in Palm Springs, conveniently close to Joshua Tree, which is where another chunk of the story happens. So yeah, whenever possible I advocate travel as a research tool. Especially when you come back with wonderful pictures like the ones you’ve posted here, Elizabeth!
Travel research is the best, isn’t it? I can gather a lot of information online, but there’s something about feeling the energy of a place, and experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells first-hand. Combine that with a little shopping and … well … it doesn’t get much better. Except maybe being able to write off the trip on our taxes. 🙂
This is a tres cool post – wonderful introduction to Manhattan AND your character! There is nothing like walking the ground you’re writing about – true for fiction and non-fiction alike. Great stuff – and thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Matthew. I fell in love with the history in Manhattan, and specifically Central Park. One thing that blew me away was discovering that a pass at the North end of the park played an important role in the Revolutionary War. I have a couple of posts planned on “Lost History” of Central Park, that’s truly fascinating.
Cool – look forward to reading them. A fascinating period (which impacted on New Zealand via a couple of curious historical chains-of-events).