Tuesday Late, with Books

[ksmith]

It occurs to me that someone might get an odd impression if they examined a writer's bookcases. I have several books on poisoning, including von Oettingen's. Firearms. Injuries and how to inflict same. HOW TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AND NEVER BE FOUND just arrived today.

I'm staying put. Really.

Comments

Re: Oh! My! God!

[planetalyx.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it sounds like a great place to start. And it's a very well-timed tip for me, as I've just started thinking about exactly this in relation to a new project.

Did you have other resources on disappearing when you started the Jani Kilian books? (Just wondering, don't answer if it feels too interview-ey).

Re: Oh! My! God!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Did you have other resources on disappearing when you started the Jani Kilian books? (Just wondering, don't answer if it feels too interview-ey).

No problem.

I reread several John le Carre books prior to and during my writing of Jani. His first titles, A MURDER OF QUALITY and CALL FOR THE DEAD, and two of the three books in the Karla Trilogy, TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY and SMILEY'S PEOPLE.

These books are set in the 60s/70s, and don't offer anything in the way of technology. What they provided me was insight into the state of mind of 1) someone who was in hiding and risked death if discovered and 2) someone who had lived that life for so long that even though they had returned to 'normal' life, they couldn't shake the old habits. Constant suspicion and mistrust. George Smiley's habit of memorizing storefronts and license plates to keep his memory skills sharp. The differences in behavior between the people who think they're doing things properly and the ones who really are.

FWIW, I did receive feedback from a couple of folks with some experience in the field who told me that I got it right. That made me feel very good.

Another thing to bear in mind is that being female, you're used to looking over your shoulder, assessing your surroundings, and gauging your vulnerability in ways that are second nature. I am pretty well convinced that being female helped me get into the mind of someone on the run more easily. Maybe it's hooey, but it's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Re: Oh! My! God!

[planetalyx.livejournal.com]

Doesn't sound like hooey to me--awareness of threat sets in early for women, I think.

I enjoyed hearing about your research, too. Thanks!