Guest Post: Kimberly Lee
Researching for a Novel
I am thrilled to have as our guest blogger, Kimberly Lee, the author of "Have You Seen Him," a novel that keeps you reading all the way to the end.
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On a clear blue day, I dine with a friend aboard the Queen Mary, the famed ship docked in Long Beach, California. I notice the restaurant’s interior, the waiters’ uniforms, the bay windows that open to the sea. We tour the Princess Diana exhibit, then find ourselves in a ballroom decorated for a prom. We take a windy metal staircase to a deck below, then stroll along the deck. When we get to the parking lot, my friend drives off, waving. I sit in the car for a while, writing copious notes and a rudimentary diagram.
Julia Cameron suggests several rituals for writers in her definitive book The Artist’s Way. I may not always get to all of them, but the “artist’s dates” are non-negotiable. I scour email newsletters with lists of attractions and things to do, then place them on calendar, typically on a Friday. An architectural tour of a heritage site. A themed bookstore. A pop-up concert.
Cameron suggests these excursions to “fill the well.” New experiences awaken the senses and offer fresh sources of material. Inspiration arrives from unexpected places, and by seeking out new stimuli, we ignite our creativity.
As I wrote Have You Seen Him, these artist’s dates became potential settings for the book—interesting backdrops for interactions between characters, or unusual locations that could push the plot forward. The story contains chase scenes, with movement throughout the city of Los Angeles and beyond, as David searches for the truth and tries to escape danger. As I wrote, I made a point to vary my routine and check out places I hadn’t been to. I’d fully immerse myself in the experience, then take detailed notes in my car before heading home.
These fun artist’s dates turned into scenes in the novel:
• My day onboard the Queen Mary
• A cooking class at a culinary institute restaurant
• A beautiful hidden Korean day spa
• The Pageant of the Masters, an art exhibit populated by actors • The Green Horse—a bar I’d passed by many times
• A famous office building known for its architecture
Other research closer to home included turning to my physician husband for consultation on scenes surrounding the field of health and medicine. Hersh, the main character’s father, was a wartime medic, and I wanted his dialogue to be authentic. A few chapters take place in a hospital. And without giving too much away, other developments in the story prompted me to run things by my husband to get them right. Brief tutorials helped me learn the lingo and craft chapters that felt true to the vocation.
Students sometimes groan when professors assign a research paper. The citations, the formal tone, the specific structure—the requirements can feel restrictive. The research we do for our writing, however, can be much more open and engaging. It offers the chance to venture out for new experiences, to delve into areas of knowledge with an eye towards enhancing our work with the originality and authenticity readers crave. Take yourself on an artist’s date—and let the fresh ideas flow!
About the Author:
Kimberly Lee, JD is the author of the riveting thriller, "Have You Seen Him." A versatile writer, editor, and creativity coach, she has a passion for nurturing the imaginative spirit and helping others reveal their own inner wisdom. Kimberly is an Amherst Writers & Artists affiliate and serves on its board. She is a certified facilitator of SoulCollage®, Journal to the Self, and Guided Autobiography, as well as a joyful meditation teacher and Groove Method provider. A teaching artist with Hugo House, Women On Writing, The Writing Salon, and Loft Literary, Kimberly has led events at numerous retreats and conferences. Recent collaborations include Esalen Institute, Omega Institute, Arts & Healing Initiative, the Expressive Therapies Summit, and Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center. Kimberly’s writing has appeared in a variety of publications and anthologies, and she has served on the staffs of Literary Mama, F(r)iction, and Carve Magazines. Kimberly trusts in the magic and mystery of miracles and synchronicity, and believes everyone is creative and has unique gifts to share. Connect with Kimberly on Instagram @klcreatrix or at KimberlyLee.me.
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