What a Research Trip Looks Like

post by Michelle Griep

Playing the Patriot at Ninety Six, South Carolina

Writers make up lots of things all the time, but honestly, it helps if you can visit the area you're writing about. That's why I'm currently tromping around the backcountry of South Carolina. Today I hiked historic Ninety Six. That's a town, not a number. Yeah, goofy butt name, but sweet mercy! Such history! And here's where my trip all began . . .

Two years ago I pitched a story to an editor about an English woman coming to the colonies as an indentured servant. All my stories to this point had been set in England. It's what I know. But at the time, Americana stories were all the rage and what publishers were snapping up. So I figured I'd bring a Brit over here and still get my taste of England a wilder setting.

No Cherokees, just spiders and snakes.

It sold. Whoda thunk?

That's when I started cramming. I picked up books on the Carolina frontier during the 1770's and read like crazy. I started writing the story with the bits of information I'd picked up. But I figured I'd better pack up my northern derriere and hustle down south to really experience what my heroine would. I've only been here a day, but I've already learned 3 very important facts . . .

#1. There are apparently venomous snakes around here. I didn't happen to see any or you'd have heard the scream tear around the world.

#2. The dirt here is red. Like really. Not kidding. Shouldn't dirt be black?

Orange lichen . . . weird!

# 3. Walking through the woods you run into spider webs. These suckers are everywhere. I didn't see the spiders but the webs are like dental floss dipped in super glue and they stick to everything.

When I get home and get back to work on my story, I'll weave in the dirt and the spider webs. Not sure if I can toss in a snake. They creep me out too much.

So, writers, if you want to add real-life touches to your stories, I highly recommend you visit the areas you're writing about. It's not always possible, but venomous snakes and spiders aside, it's worth it if you can pony up the cash.