Research

Coming from a museum background, one of my favorite parts about the writing process is the research.  I know it’s fiction and we can make up whatever we want, but I like to start with some basis of knowledge in the area I’m writing.  For example, the book I’m working on right now has a storyline involving a cursed necklace and arson.  I’m researching fire crime and it’s fascinating.  A big shout out to the firemen who risk their lives every day to protect us!

My new book is set in Sedona, Arizona, so I traveled there recently to scope out locations and get a better sense of the colorful characters who make up that desert city.

The Red Rocks of Sedona

The Red Rocks of Sedona

Buddha Sculpture in Sedona

Buddha sculpture at the Amitabha Stupa in Sedona

Selfie at Boynton in Sedona

Selfie at Boynton in Sedona

Sedona FIre Station Where the Hero of my Upcoming Book Works

Sedona Fire Station where the hero of my upcoming book works

Before writing Buried Riches, I traveled to Greece to study their history and culture, and identify locations I wanted to include in the book.  I took a Mediterranean cruise with Holland America and it was an incredible experience.  Here are some pictures of the beautiful sights I enjoyed on my grand adventure.

View of Athens from the Acropolis

View of Athens from the Acropolis

The Parthenon in Athens

The Parthenon in Athens

Acropolis Museum in Athens

Acropolis Museum in Athens

Graffiti on the Buildings of Athens

Graffiti on the buildings of Athens

Church of the Panagia, Lindos

Church of the Panagia, Lindos

Goats clinging to the acropolis of Lindos

Goats clinging to the acropolis of Lindos

A foggy morning in Santorini provided inspiration for a book scene

A foggy morning in Santorini provided inspiration for a book scene

The Classic White and Blue of Santorini

The classic white and blue of Santorini

 

View of Santorini from Our Cruise Ship

View of Santorini from our cruise ship

The Aerial Tramway at Santorini Used in a Scene from "Buried Riches"

The aerial tramway at Santorini used in a scene from “Buried Riches”

Windmills in Mykonos

Windmills in Mykonos

Traditional Greek Dancing

Traditional Greek Dancing

Mykonos Mascot, the Pelican

Mykonos mascot, the pelican

The Small, Winding Lanes of Mykonos

The small, winding lanes of Mykonos

The Island of Delos

The Island of Delos

Lions on the Island of Delos

Lion sculptures on Delos

Ancient Mycenae

Ancient Mycenae

Lions Gate at Ancient Mycenae

Lions Gate at Ancient Mycenae

Selfie at the Ancient Site of Mycenae

Selfie at the ancient site of Mycenae

Mycenaean Gold at the Archaeological Museum in Athens

Mycenaean gold including the Mask of Agememnon (upper right)

Ancient Corinth

Ancient Corinth

Ancient Olympia, Peaceful and Beautiful

Ancient Olympia, peaceful and enchanting

A Camel Relaxes in Turkey

A camel relaxes in Turkey

Library at the Archaeological Site of Ephesus, Turkey

Library at the archaeological site of Ephesus, Turkey

 

I made multiple research visits to the Getty Villa in Malibu where they display some fabulous Greek antiquities, including vases which I used as inspiration for Buried Riches.

Outer Peristyle of the Getty Villa

Outer Peristyle of the Getty Villa

Vase Depicting Theseus and the Minotaur, c. 550 B.C.

Vase Depicting Theseus and the Minotaur, c. 550 B.C.