by Kristy Cambron, @KCambronAuthor

“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.”

—Albert Einstein

Remember the early days of falling in love with story? Chances are, that love grew out of flashlight-reading under the covers as a kid, or in exploring the rainbow of colored spines in library or bookstore aisles.

For pleasure, escape, to learn and dream, a library possesses worlds to satisfy all. But for the writer set out to deep-dive into his or her story, a modern world of smart devices, Google searches and YouTube channels make it more important than ever to have our facts in line. And the library is still a primo place for research… to start.

Think of research as the DNA for a story. The facts gleaned from it can shift a plot, determine wild swings in character development, and even change the course of an entire series. But to go beyond the old fact-collecting standard, consider reinventing your research methods to a more creative approach:

• TALK TO THE EXPERTS—Chances are your local museum, university, or even tourist landmark will have experts in more than just local lore. These are usually learned professionals in the field of study they represent, and they’re more than happy to share the topic they love with curious writers. So reach out. Set meetings. Ask questions… You may find the best research experiences are right down the road, yet they can take your story farther than you imagined. (Bonus points if you find those who have first-hand experiences, and set an interview to gain perspective through the eyes of someone who’s lived your story in real life.)

• MINGLE WITH THE LOCALS—One of the easiest ways to find an expert at something is by word of mouth. When traveling for research (especially abroad), stop in at the places the locals gather—bookshops, pubs, coffeehouses and street markets—and listen to the stories they tell. Or find a coffee shop close to home and get to know the regulars. You may find an expert at the very next table!
• POP SOME POPCORN—Have a Netflix subscription and a microwave? You might have all you need to sit back and conduct some major research for your next story. There are endless resources in vintage films and documentaries. Look beyond the classic starlets on screen and instead, survey the props on movie sets. Notice the layout of rooms. Or listen to the dialogue that was contemporary for the time. Focus on the minute details that may go unnoticed by the camera, but that can make your story really sing if you drop them into your scenes.
• ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES—Remember that old ‘I Love Lucy’ episode where our heroine finds herself at an Italian winery, tromping around a grape vat to research for a movie role? Minus the hilarity that ensues, there’s a lot of truth to that goal. Why not offer to work in exchange for learning about a topic? Volunteer to help cut grapes at a winery. (One actually said ‘Sure!’ when I asked…) Clean stalls at a horse ranch. Help with the harvest at a farm or go behind the scenes in a five-star kitchen. Whatever it takes to get a behind-the-scenes ticket to your character’s journey, roll up your sleeves and step into their shoes.
• AND… ACTION!—Cameras are for more than selfie-taking in a cool research spot. Want to remember what the weather was like in a location? Or what plants and trees grew around that research site? What’s the local lingo out on the street? Filming and photographing shopfronts, landmarks, or even walking along a sidewalk in a foreign city can provide authentic details for your writing later. Use everything you have at your disposal… Who knows? That video may help you map out your characters’ steps down the road.

Whatever research method you choose, make sure the topic is something that grabs tight and pulls you into your story—enough that you go beyond reading about it in a book, to making it come to life. If the passion for your story is energized in your beginning steps, just imagine what it could look like when it reaches your readers’ hands!  

The Lost Castle

Broken-down walls and crumbled stones seemed to possess a secret language all their own. What stories would they tell, if she finally listened?

Ellie Carver arrives at her grandmother’s bedside expecting to find her silently slipping away. Instead, the beloved old woman begins speaking. Of a secret past and castle ruins forgotten by time. Of a hidden chapel that served as a rendezvous for the French resistance in World War II. Of lost love and deep regret . . .

Each piece that unlocks the story seems to unlock part of Ellie too—where she came from and who she is becoming. But her grandmother is quickly disappearing into the shadows of Alzheimer’s and Ellie must act fast if she wants to uncover the truth of her family’s history. Drawn by the mystery surrounding The Sleeping Beauty—a forgotten castle so named for Charles Perrault’s beloved fairy tale—Ellie embarks on a journey to France’s Loire Valley in hopes that she can unearth its secrets before time silences them forever.

Bridging the past to present in three time-periods—the French Revolution, World War II, and present day—The Lost Castle is a story of loves won and lost, of battles waged in the hearts of men, and an enchanted castle that stood witness to it all, inspiring a legacy of faith through the generations.

KRISTY CAMBRON is an award-winning author of historical fiction, including her bestselling debut The Butterfly and the Violin, and an author of Bible studies, including the Verse Mapping series. She is a passionate storyteller who travels to speak at ministry events across the country, encouraging women to experience a deeper life in the Word through verse mapping. Her work has been named to Publishers Weekly Religion & Spirituality TOP 10, Library Journal Reviews’ Best Books, RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, and received 2015 & 2017 INSPY Award nominations. Kristy holds a degree in Art History/Research Writing, and has 15 years of experience in education and leadership development for a Fortune-100 Corporation, working in partnership with such companies as the Disney Institute, IBM/Kenexa, and Gallup. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, and can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read. The most important thing? Jesus is everything— let her tell you about Him sometime.

You can connect with Kristy at:  KristyCambron.com Facebook: Kristy Cambron | Twitter: @KCambronAuthor  | Instagram: kristycambron Pinterest: KCambronAuthor