Why place matters
Whether I’m writing fiction or nonfiction, I start with a simple question: where does this happen, and what does that place demand of the characters? Setting isn’t wallpaper—it’s pressure, history, and opportunity all at once.
My research workflow (in five steps)
- Start with a map. I trace routes, neighborhoods, and distances to understand what’s plausible—how long it really takes to get from one point to another, what you pass on the way, and what a character would notice.
- Collect primary details. Old photos, newspaper archives, transit schedules, and firsthand accounts help me capture the texture of a moment in time.
- Build a “sensory file.” I keep notes on sounds, signage, weather, smells, and the small routines of daily life that make scenes feel lived-in.
- Interview the era. When possible, I talk with people who remember the time and place—then I cross-check memories with documents so the story stays grounded.
- Write, then verify. Draft first, research second. Once the scene exists, I fact-check only what the story actually uses.
What I’m aiming for
The goal isn’t to show off research—it’s to make the reader feel oriented and confident. When the world feels true, the emotional stakes land harder, and the characters can take center stage.
Research is the scaffolding. The story is the building people actually come to live in.
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