I do loves the internet, but...

[ksmith]

I've spent the last couple of hours poking through maps and guides and satellite images, working out a route that my protag needs to take on a road I have never traveled. Finding a weather summary of a nearby town helped. Yes, it's likely raining, and it's cold but not Illinois cold. No, it's not unusual that there would be no snow in December. I think I can fake this. It's just one of those times when I wish I had the Writer's Version of the handy dandy teleportation machine that could pop me into an area just long enough to collect snapshots in my head. Smell the air. Pinpoint the landmarks that would indicate to a reader from that area that maybe I had been there, or that I had at least done my research.

On the way back from the Ninc Conference in October, I took a 100+ mile detour and drove through an area that I needed to learn about. Maybe I could have faked that, too, but it makes so much difference to drive a couple of roads. Stop in a town. Get a little lost. Just knowing whether the main roads run straight or curve like crazy. Whether the area is affluent or not so much.

To have a little bit in your head about every place. So when you need it, it's like rolling a tape...

Comments

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

Yes. This.

[sksperry.livejournal.com]

Google Earth is a life saver!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

It was actually a site that mapped and catalogued hiking trails and places to kayak and canoe. They had satellite maps, topographic maps, regular street maps, and descriptions of the river (flow, etc). About as good as one could do without actually going there.

[equesgal.livejournal.com]

If any of those towns have an on-line newspaper that can help a ton.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Many towns have their own websites, which is better for visuals because there are more photos, descriptions of stores, etc. Newspapers give a different angle. The people side.

[planetalyx.livejournal.com]

K has been touring the back roads of England with Google Street view, and it is shockingly like being there. I mean, obviously not--but you really get a sense of the terrain!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Street view can be spooky. I had an overhead view, which isn't quite the same.