by Marguerite Martin Gray
As a reader I can travel to the ends of the earth in nay era through the pages of a good book. Imagine how many countries and cultures I have traversed since I am of a certain age. I crave learning about countries, real or imaginary with facts that answer my questions. Through the words that capture my senses, wonder if the authors have visited the places they describe to the readers.
Step with me into the places of Jane Austen’s novels. I’m able to travel through words and experience the homelife of the characters. I sit in the library and eat in the dining room as if a member of the family. Although I can find my way to Jane Austen’s old haunts, I don’t have to physically go there. I’m there in my imagination. Life as a reader is ideal. The writing and the research are complete. All I have to do is enjoy and travel in my mind.
As a researcher, travel might be a necessity. This is a major part of prewriting for me. I write about places I have been or at least very similar. Traveling for research gives me the opportunity to explore through many avenues. A favorite meal and spices. A tantalizing smell of local flora. The sand beneath my feet or the bumpy cobblestones under my shoes. The sunset over the ocean or the sunrise in the mountains. The waterfall cascading into a turquoise pool or sheep in a pasture. Those can all be imagined through research involving books from the libraries or other sources. Yet, traveling for research adds an extra level of personal research.
So far, I have traveled to each of the settings in my novels before writing them. The exception is one that will be published in July. Room for Love is part of the Suamalie Islands series. Since the setting is fictional in the South Pacific, I use my travels to Maui as research. I’ve wrapped my mind and pen around my experience on vacation on the beautiful island. I’m able to recall vivid scenery and savory mahi mahi and fresh pineapple. Oh, the sunrises and sunsets with more colors than a rainbow. All of these impressions make research authentic and relatable.
As I travel the world as a writer, I gain inspiration for future endeavors. I’m always ready to jot down ideas for stories. All the surprises and adventures on the roads and hamlets of the world poke their heads up to be recognized and captured. My phone and camera are ever present, for I know the photos and videos will inspire the words and the plots. They go on my inspiration board and fuel my visual learning tendencies.
I’m a traveler and a reader who happens to be a researcher and writer too. I can’t imagine giving up on any of these roles. Why not combine them. Traveling is the inspiration whether that is accomplished through reading or researching, virtual and in person. It works for me.
I’m off to a few new destinations this summer such as Slovenia, as well as some old haunts like Florence and Venice.
Happy travels as you read, research, and write.
Marguerite Martin Gray is the award-winning author of Revolutionary Faith series, Gardens in Time series, Keeping Christmas Vol. 1 anthology, and Room for Love. She enjoys researching history and writing fiction. An avid traveler and reader, Marguerite teaches French and Spanish. She lives in North Louisiana with her husband. Visit Marguerite on her website at http://www.margueritemartingray.com.