When I write a book I like to have photos to work from, mostly this is my wall of cover art. When i get a new cover I always get it printed up poster size and put it up on the wall. In front of me at the moment is By The Numbers (Sanctuary 10) and Gabriel (Legacy 2), the next two MM books I am writing. They look so pretty.
When I began to create the Montana series I took one of those wall calendars, the big ones, and turned it over. That was my blank canvas and it grew like topsy with pictures of characters and hand drawn maps. I know exactly what the place looks like in my head which means I can talk confidently about characters *crossing the bridge* or *going to the bluff lookout point*, right down to where they might tie their horses!
When I wrote The Code, the first in MF hockey series, I actually had a file about 40 printouts and notes thick, creating an entire hockey team, right down to the weights of each person and their contracts, even though maybe some of them might not be mentioned ever in any of the books! That way I can confidently say the team is a new team, or has veterans, I can call them a *heavier* team, or a experienced team, or whatever. Its the background to me that informs the story.
So, back to my house in Chicago, and when I say MY HOUSE, what I mean is, the house I found to stand in for Cole's place. I wanted something super-unassuming from the road, but that hid much more beyond the simple frontage.
This was how I imagined Cole as well, and I wanted the house to be a reflection of his character. On the outside he's the bad guy, a suspected murderer, and Sanctuary wants him. But, behind that facade, what else was there?
I found this house.
It looks like nothing from the outside. Well cared for lawn, shrubs, some trees, and a geometrical shape that gives nothing away.
And then you go inside...
This the kitchen where Cole takes Elliot's gun away from him
and pokes it in a draw. How beautiful is that!
and pokes it in a draw. How beautiful is that!
The back view of the house, *built into the hill*
At night...
A distance view, showing the house on the hill
and the terraces leading to the Lake
and the terraces leading to the Lake
This is the patio area, and the view that Cole had of the lake when
he is sitting out with his coffee. Remember the scene where
Elliot stands in the cold just outside the warmth of the patio heater?
Imagine you are standing in front of that and looking at the lake
he is sitting out with his coffee. Remember the scene where
Elliot stands in the cold just outside the warmth of the patio heater?
Imagine you are standing in front of that and looking at the lake
Cole's bedroom ;)
So, do you have a spare 5.9 million to spend? If you do, then please invite me over. If you don't then, it's nice to dream.
And some random photos!
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