Q’I’m a published women’s writer and although I don’t have a contract for my next novel – my day job has been allconsuming for the past few years and only now do I feel I have the mental space to start writing again – I’m thinking of setting part of my next novel on a lake in Canada. I’d be travelling alone for the first time, which I’m a bit worried about! Do you have any advice or tips on my research and approach?
AWell, firstly, how lucky that you’re able to travel abroad for your research. As you touched upon in your question, many authors have neither the time nor the resources (more on this later), so it’s a real privilege if you can inform your writing with first-hand experience; it goes without saying that soaking up specific local details will lend a vividness and authenticity to your setting and characters.