Researching a Kary Turnell Mystery: By Author Mark Okrant
Author Mark Okrant works hard, plays hard, and does his homework! Researching his new novel "Surfside Slaying" in Rincon Puerto Rico is no easy task. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it!
- January 3, 2012 -- Hello from Rincon, Puerto Rico. Having gotten a round of golf and a couple days at the beach out of the way, I've begun work on my fifth Kary Turnell Mystery, Surfside Slaying. Had lunch with Steve Lantz, president of the Rincon Tourism Association (pictured). He's provided lots of local insight and terrific contacts. I'll be following up throughout the next 9 weeks. Meeting cool people in exotic settings is one of the best parts of writing.
- January 5, 2012 -- With 3 Kings Day pending, interviews are on hold until early next week. However, golf (played poorly, but so what?) and walks on the beach with my own Nya Turnell have kept my creative juices flowing.
- January 8, 2012 -- Here is the setting for the opening of my newest Kary Turnell Mystery, "Surfside Slaying." The story opens with a body found lying on the Horned Dorset Primavera's beach (shown here). I'll tell you more in my blog, A Day in the Life of an Author.
- January 10, 2012 -- The day started strangely, when a crab attempted to attach himself (couldn't be herself) to my left heel. Fortunately, I was able to shake the bugger off. I headed to the historic Villa Cofresi, Rincon, to meet with its delightful owner/GM, Sandra Caro (see pic). The Cofresi is going to be a key setting in Surfside Slaying.
- January 13, 2012 -- I'm conducting a contest. Look at the picture shown below. The first person to correctly identify what it is will receive a free, signed copy of my next book, when it's released in late Spring.
- January 17, 2012 -- I learned a valuable lesson about tropical time today. I had two scheduled appointments: one person forgot; the other said he was too busy. Something tells me I'm not in New England anymore.
- January 22, 2012 -- Tomorrow, I have two interesting interviews scheduled: one with a long time snowbird from Ohio; the other with the owner/operator of a gorgeous inn with direct access to the area's world renown surf. Won't be surprised if one or both end up in Surfside Slaying.
- January 23, 2012 -- Another terrific interview today. Met with professor Bob Treichler and his wife Nancy. They provided insight about being long term guests at the Villa Cofresi, the centerpiece in my next Kary Turnell Mystery. Another interview tomorrow.
- January 25, 2012 -- Writing a novel is like the detective work Kary Turnell does. Since I've been down here, I've been following leads. One interview leads to two more. Yesterday, I interviewed Wendi R from the gorgeous Casa Islena, a beautiful inn (check out backdrop in pic below). Wendi introduced me to 4-5 other people whose backgrounds fit my needs. I'll be following leads for weeks.
- January 26, 2012 -- Interviewed a cool couple from Maryland today. Rod and Beth (pic) told me lots about tourism development issues that definitely will play a significant role in Surfside Slaying.
- January 31, 2012 -- Today, I had a fascinating conversation with Susan C, a very knowledgeable realtor who helped me with a mystery. Since the late '80s, sand on Rincon's beaches has been disappearing. One possible cause: the canal pictured here. Other ideas? Let me know.
- February 1, 2012 -- Some days we writers have success when we least expect it. Today I heard from someone representing the community's anti-development faction and a couple who are long-time surfers. Both will be key elements of Surfside Slaying.
- February 3, 2012 -- I found this tile on the beach. It gave me a great idea for Surfside Slaying.
- February 6, 2012 -- Visited with Larry S today, a man who stood in the way of illegal, ill-advised condo development in Rincon. It didn't hurt that his house overlooks the Caribbean, has a gorgeous terrace, wading pool, and 12 foot ceilings.
- February 8, 2012 -- Visited with Dennis and Carol R, expats who came to Rincon to surf, then opened Pool Bar, the best little surfer hangout around. Question for today: what role have surfers played in the illegal immigration issue?
- February 9, 2012 -- Met with Leon L. (pic), a major player in the Surfrider Foundation. This guy has literally been chased by a machete-wielding workman and a bulldozer operator, all to save the reefs and beaches of Rincon. Met with Annette B., from the Rincon Cultural Center. She has insight about the local cultural dynamic. She told me where skeletons are buried.
- February 10, 2012 -- Along with a scheduled interview with the captain of police, I bumped into one of Puerto Rico's best woman surfers. She consented to an interview.
- February 13, 2012 -- Met with Jim B, proprietor of the famous Lazy Parrot (pic). The man is filled with insight about life in this neck of the woods. He'll definitely be a character in the new book.
- February 18, 2012 -- Testing your powers of observation: what is taking place in this picture?
- February 20, 2012 -- Met with Elizabeth R, proprietor of PR Island Real Estate, today. Learned a lot about local cultural traditions, and attitudes toward spirituality plus statehood. The entire time we talked, ashes from a pica pica fire rained down on us.
- February 22, 2012 -- No visit to Rincon, nor novel set there, is complete without a delicious evening at the Shipwreck Bar and Grill.
- February 23, 2012 -- Tres Palmas Marine Reserve contains one of the world's healthiest coral reefs. It's also home to some of the world's best surfing locales, including the aptly named Steps Beach (pic). If a surfer--or a big shot land developer--wasn't careful, the next step could be his last.
- February 27, 2012 -- Met today with Iris and Amark I., mother and son. Learned what it's like to grow up in Rincon. Iris also taught me how to read tattoos. For example, what does a tear drop in the corner of one's eye signify?
- March 2, 2012 -- A good writer goes where the news is, as this meeting with Fernando "Papo" R, retired U of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez IT faculty, shows (pic).
- March 3, 2012 -- Had a delightful meeting with Rhea M, publisher of the excellent El Coqui of Rincon. Learned much about living in these parts. This delightful woman can teach us much about how to go with life's flow.
- March 4, 2012 -- Interviewed Jorge F, a private detective. He told me how Kary--or I--could get a private detective's license in Puerto Rico.
- March 7, 2012 -- Research for new novel has been going so smoothly, thanks to the wonderful people of Rincon. At last a roadblock: contacts with the PR Institute of Forensic Sciences have provided nothing but promises--so far. I'm nothing, if not persistent.
- March 9, 2012 -- For those of you who wondered what kind of people visit those "love motels"...
No comments:
Post a Comment