Hi friends,
Deadly Isle released last week, and I wanted to share a behind-the-scenes peek at part of my story development process. I’m a visual learner and a visual writer. I picture the story playing out like a movie in my head as I write. To foster this aspect of my writing process, I utilize Pinterest.
Image credit: Amy Adams & Taylor Kinney
I create a storyboard featuring the actor and actress I envision for my hero and heroine. These are just springboard inspiration while I’m learning about my characters during the first draft and then I hone in on more unique physical descriptions.
Once I know my characters better, I search for stock photos (or if my publisher does a photo shoot for my cover, I use the cover model’s picture) and create character dossiers with their image and pertinent facts about them.
Deadly Isle takes place on a fictional island in the Chesapeake Bay. I based it off of Smith Island, which is an island only reachable by ferry or private boat. I wanted to feel like I was there while I wrote and to also create the atmosphere of a slightly isolated island.
To see the full storyboard, you can visit it on Pinterest. I’d love to know which picture grabs your attention the most! Click the image below to visit my Pinterest board:
Here’s a little more about Deadly Isle:
Buy Deadly Isle at these online retailers:
AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE CHRISTIAN BOOK IBOOK
Hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into Deadly Isle’s world.
Question for you:
What’s your favorite kind of setting to read about? Rural or urban? Historic or contemporary? Coastal or set in the mountains?
Thanks so much for taking time to drop by and spend a little of your day with me.
Have a blessed week!
Dani
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I don’t have a favorite setting as I like a mixture of all different kinds of places. Especially locations I’ve never been too before or don’t know much about. I absolutely love when you (and other authors) create a storyboard showing your characters, locations, even their clothing and other miscellaneous items. It makes the story come so much more alive and gives it depth. Kind of like getting inside your head and watching the movie with you :-).
So glad you enjoy seeing storyboards and that they let you see the movie with me. So fun. Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
I love reading about all kinds of settings; especially when the author describes them in words that make it feel hyper-real, larger than life. I’m a little more picky when it comes to genre though, ‘cause I just don’t seem to appreciate some. But settings can be anywhere!
It’s great you enjoy so many settings. So, what are your favorite genres to read?
I prefer rural because that’s what I’m use to, having grown up in the Ozarks of NE Oklahoma. I don’t care what state as long as it is out of town. I love ocean beaches, mountains, desert, Badlands, and windswept plains and I’m happy!
All great settings. Beaches and coastal areas are my absolute favorite to write, but love the mountains as well. My parents actually honeymooned in the Badlands.
So neat to see this part of the writing process! This always fascinates me! Thanks for sharing this! I don’t necessarily prefer one setting over another, but I do really enjoy when the setting is showcased in the story. Feels like a vacation!
Thanks so much, Sarah. So glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks so much for stopping by.
All of the pictures from this board are inspiring! I think my favorite is the view of the sea from Teni’s boathouse. I can just picture her standing at the end, leaning against the pillar while holding a cup of tea (or coffee for the coffee drinkers!). I’d stand there for hours myself.
Dear Dani,
We have your books in the Church Library.
As long as there is a mystery involved it really doesn’t matter where the location is.