Have you ever created a photo journey for your story?
My novel The Beached Ones is the first book I ever researched by traveling the route my characters take.
I drafted the book first, and once I had all the key locations down, grabbed my mom (who loves to travel), loaded up the car, and took off.
In this post, I share with you some of the pictures we took on that journey. If you haven’t ordered your copy of the book yet and you’d like to, see all the buy links here!
Photo Journey Stop #1: Harlan, Iowa
After “coming to life” on the coast, my main character, Daniel Shepard, finds himself in Harlan, Iowa. This is where his journey starts.
My mom and I loved this little town. After driving around, we parked in the central square and took a walk.
We checked out the Harlan Theater and courthouse, then stopped for a tasty lunch at the Sandwich Bowl (highly recommended!).
Before leaving, we did some sightseeing around the edges of town, finding this beautiful little park on the way.
This little house in Harlan served as the inspiration for Isabella’s house—the psychic medium that Daniel’s old girlfriend insists on seeing before they leave town.
Photo Journey Stop #2: Media Hill Rest Area
After getting underway, Daniel, his old girlfriend Jolene, and her new boyfriend Brent, stop at the Media Hill rest stop outside of Omaha, Nebraska.
There’s an important scene that occurs here between Brent and Daniel. It’s the first time Daniel starts to feel suspicious about this Brent guy.
Photo Journey #3: Cheyenne, Wyoming
My characters make their first overnight stop in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
The next morning, they have breakfast at a cafe inspired by the Diamond Horseshoe Cafe. (Also highly recommended if you’re in the area!) While they’re there, a tragedy occurs—creating one of the most intense scenes in the book up to that point.
Photo Journey Stop #4: Salt Lake City Library
Mom and I were so amazed at this library. It is an architectural marvel in my opinion!
It felt so open and spacious and yet it was homey and comfortable at the same time.
My characters stop here to hear a speaker present a workshop, but then things go very wrong.
Photo Journey Stop #5: Reno, Nevada
Before the story starts, Daniel was living in Reno, Nevada, where he was working as a stunt motorcycle rider.
The characters stop here on their way to the coast and enjoy a little gambling—the supernatural way—at the Peppermill Casino.
Photo Journey Stop #6: San Francisco
This is the last stop along the characters’ journey. Daniel first goes to the Bay Area museum, looking for his younger brother.
Finally, Daniel makes it to the Golden Gate Bridge, where the climax of the story takes place.
Mom and stayed at nearby Pacific City during our time here, than continued on up the coast for a ways before coming home.
It was a wonderful trip. I returned home with my head full of everything I’d seen and wrote several more drafts before submitting the novel for publication.
If you’re thinking of traveling to research your next book, I highly recommend it!
The Beached Ones is available now from CamCat Books and wherever books are sold.
All so beautiful to see… loved the pictures!! A great idea!!
Thanks, Joanne! It’s fun to look back at them. :O)
Beautiful photos, Colleen. I did the same sort of thing on my website using photos I’d taken during my research to tell the actual story of my latest thriller. It’s a very fun way to use all the hundreds of photos an author takes during the writing of a novel.
As you know I loved The Beached Ones — even before I saw all these gorgeous pix. Good Luck with your novel!
Thanks, Joanna! Oh cool–I just went and checked that out. (Including the link below for other readers.) Yes, I agree.
Thanks so much on the book! :O)
https://www.joannaelm.com/my-plot-in-photos-final-pix-excerpts-from-fool-her-once/
Oh, my gosh! What gorgeous scenery! Now I have to visit all these places! And perhaps read The Beached Ones’ relevant chapters at each stop!
And make a photo journey for my own draft; the setting is vaguely inspired by the Sierras…:)
Thanks, Janet! It was a great trip. Ha ha. Yes, pack up the car and go! The Sierras sound fun. 🙂