Sometimes a picture can be worth more than words, or at least serve as a great accompaniment. For research in particular, photos can serve as reminders of places you’ve been or as your eyes to places you can’t go. If you are on-site, try to take photos not only of your target, but of the surroundings, so you can bring the setting to life for the reader. Usually I take notes as well, so I can describe the feel of the air on my skin, the smells, sounds, and other sensory impressions.

Then when I’m home, I have my notes and the photos to stir my memory. The second book in my proposed new mystery series will be centered around a fictional community theater. I’m modeling this loosely on the Winter Garden theater built originally in 1935. Should this book find a home, I’ll have to do more extensive research and go behind the scenes, preferably to one of our local theaters in the Fort Lauderdale area. Meanwhile, here are some of the photos I took during my trip there. I took shots from all four sides, so I could have a clear view of the loading bays and stage entrance for purposes of my story. And again, when you are onsite, remember to note if grass grows between the sidewalk cracks, if the parking lot is paved or gravel, and other minute details that will allow you to visualize the scene in your head.

 WINTER GARDEN THEATER

CLOSE UP OF OLD TICKET BOOTH

THEATER BUILDING; SIDE VIEW

SEWER COVER; IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS!

  RAILROAD MUSEUM SIGN

WINTER GARDEN RAILROAD MUSEUM