Sunday, January 23, 2011

DESTINATION: Fiction

How many people get to lie for a living? Criminals, probably. Writers, most definitely. (I love that about my job!) But what you may not know is that there are little bits of truth sprinkled throughout the pages of THE BODY FINDER and DESIRES OF THE DEAD.

No, that does not mean I can find dead bodies. And as far as I know Jay Heaton is a fictional character (sorry, ladies!).

But what I didn't make up are some of the places Violet and Jay visit, so I thought I would give you a tour of the REAL PLACES OF THE BODY FINDER

Enjoy!

White River High School:



This all-too-real high school in Buckley, Washington is renowned for its award-winning architecture and is set against a lush wooded backdrop (the perfect place for creepy, serial killer types to watch from the woods).

The part I made up: The real White River High School doesn’t have lockers. I know, right? That award-winning design I mentioned…no lockers! But I really wanted Violet’s school to have them, so when I asked my editor if I could “make them up” she answered: “It’s fiction, you can do whatever you want.”

So, my White River totally has lockers!


Mount Rainier:



This gorgeous, dormant volcano is the highest point in Washington State.

Fun Fact: This mountain isn’t always “out”.

In the Northwest, we use the phrase: “the mountain is out” when clouds aren’t obscuring it from view. But when I used that phrase in the manuscript for THE BODY FINDER, my editor (who lives in New York City) had no idea what I was talking about. I was asked to “clarify.”


Lake Tapps:



There’s no better place to be on a lazy summer day…

And no, the lake is not, in fact, a dumping site for serial killers. (At least to the best of my knowledge.)


What are some of your favorite fiction destinations???

8 comments:

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

The mountain is out is not a common phrase here, but we would know what you mean in CO. ;)

Probably my fave is when an author travels around the state of CO and I know where they are. That is my fave. :)

Brenda Hyde said...

I hadn't heard the phrase either, but I think I would have understood it anyways. Beautiful pictures:) NO lockers? That's weird. I would have added them too.

I just finished a YA book set in India and loved reading about their food, lore etc. It was very cool. I always love books set in Ireland and Scotland too.

Sharon S. said...

favorite fictional destination? Bones' bedroom? I'm just saying...someone had to go there .

Terri Garey said...

Ha!! :)

Merrie Destefano said...

Kimberly,
I loved seeing the photos of the places from The Body Finder! You know what's weird? The lake looks exactly like I imagined it. In fact, when I first looked at the photo, I thought, well, yeah, that's the lake--it was in the book. Then I remembered there weren't any photos in the book. Great job describing all these locations!
=)

Kimberly Derting said...

Brenda - That was my thought too...a school NEEDS lockers.

Sharon - LMAO! So glad you went there!!!

nymfaux said...

I love being able to connect reality and fiction!!! This is so cool to see a little bit of what's in your head (I mean book)!!!

Anonymous said...

I go to White River High School! i had no idea anyone ever based a book off of the area! and yea.. i hate carrying my books to every class! i wish we had lockers </3