The Magic of Place
Carol Pepper wrote Beyond Blood, her first book, over a five year period while she traveled the globe lecturing to wealthy families. She drew on her extensive experience in the wealth management arena when writing this novel. Published in 2009, Beyond Blood is a Next Generation Indie Book Award finalist as well as an editor’s choice on iUniverse.com.
When I wrote my first novel, Beyond Blood, one of the best parts of the journey was finding and including unusual places in the story. I am an inveterate traveler–I freely roam the globe for my job. I am very lucky in that I get asked to lecture on wealth management all over the world–I speak regularly in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, Australia and the United States. I still have to crack Russia, India and Africa. I revel in just how different the various parts of our globe are. When I am travelling, I like to leave the cocoon of the international hotel, put on some jeans and strike out to meet locals and get the lay of the land. Sometimes I meet the locals at the hotel- I enjoy making friends with waiters, bellman, maids and managers- and ask them about the best way to see what is really interesting in their area. Most are happy to talk about what is great in their country and to direct me to the best restaurants, temples and hidden sites.
In my book, I got the chance to write in depth about an island I dearly love, St. Lucia. I spent years visiting and developing close relationships with St. Lucians who live up in the hills, away from the tourists. I enjoyed evoking the feel of the soft breezes, the scent of night flowering jasmine and the sound of a four in the morning wakeup call by a local rooster with my readers. I also hoped to convey a sense of the pride of the people and the fact that their culture is very much intact. When traveling there, all it takes is the nerve to get to know a local person in order to be transported to a different side of island life.
I was also thrilled to find places by virtual travel to share with my readers. I knew that my characters were going to have an adventure in an ancient castle in Switzerland. What I didn’t know was what that castle looked like, or where it was located. A quick internet search revealed the perfect location for my story- Castle Tourbillion in Scion, Switzerland. Scion is the oldest canton (or state) in the country, which fit with the heritage of the family I was writing about. Castle Tourbillion is not far from the largest underground lake in Switzerland, Lac St. Leonard- and suddenly my plot had a fantastic new twist. My story contains many aspects of psychic powers- this lake is known to have very high vibration water-as high as the vibration of the pyramids. This was a perfect plot element for my story. Even though I had not left my desk, I was able to write about a wonderful place that my readers probably had never heard of –and one that I plan to visit next time I lecture in Geneva.
Sometimes a place leaves a lingering impression that stays with you for years, and you never know how it is going to show up in your story. The first time I went to Singapore, I discovered a little known Buddhist temple that is very much a functioning temple rather than a tourist site. I loved visiting the Shaung Lin Monastery and was immediately struck by one of the side temples. There is an image of a famous general there who is also revered by the Triad gangs in Hong Kong. He showed up in the opening dream sequence of my book, and plays a role well into the story. I had no idea when I visited the temple that I would later write about it-but I love how the creative process weaves our memories into a completely new tale.
I think it is very satisfying as a writer to include magical places in a story. The world is full of extraordinary locations that fire the imagination and add excitement. Whether you travel places in actuality or via the web, let the real life mysteries of our beautiful planet support your story and give send your characters on a fantastic adventure.
Carol has very generously offered a copy of Beyond Blood to a lucky reader.
Leave a comment for Carol and your name will be entered in the drawing.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 9th.
June 4, 2010
Posted in: Contests/Giveaways, Guest Blogs
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19 Responses
I thoroughly enjoyed your interview, Carol. Because of your extensive travel, the settings you can offer your readers are exceptional. I traveled to Europe a few years ago and have used these settings in my writing; however, I’ve found that even though I have been to the locations, I still have to research for updates on the areas.
Betty Gordon
It sounds like you have a lot of fun with your research. I enjoy books that take place in locations I know I’ll never be able to visit.
I enjoyed your interview! I think it’s great that you get to travel to all those wonderful places. I like stories that include characters with psychic powers. Your book sounds really good!
I enjoy arrmchair travel as well as mysteries. Both in one book sounds great!
boots9k at wowway dot com
The places you visited sound fascinating. The readers appreciate your including them in your books.
Helen Kiker
hdkiker@comcast.net
I enjoyed your interview and hearing about all the places you have been. Most of my travel is “virtual” through the books I read, so I love books set in far away places.
I have dear friends who honeymooned in St Lucia and had a wonderful time, so you’ve definitely piqued my interest in reading your view of the setting!
Next we need to get you up to Iceland and Greenland! Sounds wonderful!
Lynn Marie
kestrel_cod@yahoo.com
Dear Betty,
I agree with you, research is key! Even thought I know St. Lucia well, I still had to consult maps to make sure they way I moved the characters around the island made sense!.
Best,
Carol Pepper
Dear Jody,
I DO have a lot of fun traveling! Right now, I am in Geneva speaking at money management conference. I plan to take a train to Scion, about two hours away and to see the underground Lac St. Leonard and Castle Toubillon that I wrote about- I can’t wait! I will definitely post photos on the Beyond Blood fan page on Facebook!
Thanks,
Carol
Dear Carol M.,
Thanks so much for the support! I hope you get a chance to read the book. Writing characters with psychic powers is really a blast- it really opens up the possibilities of what they can accomplish!
Best,
Carol Pepper
Dear Shirley,
I hope you give the book a try- I wrote it partly because I love to read these types of books as well!
Best,
Carol Pepper
Dear Helen,
Thanks for the appreciation. The world is an amazing place. Tonight, I had dinner in Geneva (where I am speaking at a conference) at a gorgeous Italian restaurant called Auberge Donex. Ten of us sat on a candlelit porch. There were people from Switzerland, France, England and the US- we were all attending the conference. The dinner started when the waiters brought out a huge straw basket w that was filled with tiny fresh tomatoes- they were just picked from the garden. We all remarked on what a fantastic touch that was. Dinner ended with baskets of fresh strawberries, cherries and lychees…some day I will use this detail in a book! It was certainly a night to remember.
Best,
Carol Pepper
Dear Penny,
Thanks for your comment. When I was a kid, I used to wait eagerly for the arrival of Travel and Leisure Magazine in the mail each month, and drool over all the wonderful photos of far away places. I never dreamed I would travel as I do now… so you never know what might happen in the future!
Best,
Carol Pepper
Dear Kate,
Thanks for your comment. St. Lucia is amazing. I can’t describe adequately how wonderful it feels to stand in a warm waterfall that is heated by a volcano..the water is soft yet full of minerals, and when you come out you feel reborn. It is definitely worth the trip!
Best,
Carol
Dear Lynne,
Thanks for your comment! Those places sound fascinating to me! I certainly plan for the characters to continue traveling the globe in the next sequel!
Best,
Carol Pepper
Carol,
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us. The lucky winner of your book will be announced Wewdnesday!
I really do know how to spell “Wednesday”
Dear Lelia,
Great! I can’t wait to find out who wins!
Best,
Carol
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