If you can’t physically visit a place you’re writing about, head on over to YouTube.
My WIP takes place in Honduras since it’s not feasible for me to book a flight to Tegus, I instead visited YouTube. I wanted to describe what it’s like to drive in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, so I searched “driving in Tegucigalpa” and voilà , I had dozens (if not more) of videos to choose from. I watched a 15-minute video someone uploaded as they rode a taxi cab from their hotel to the airport.
I got to see the roads, there were dusty, bumpy, I could feel the heat permeating the video, I got to see the architecture, people on the streets, the cars they drive, the ton of motorcycles zipping in and out of traffic, the highway signs, the chaotic driving atmosphere there. The street vendors, stores, cheap-looking motels, and the nicer parts of the city as well.
It was like a shot of B12, I felt ready to write that scene and it just poured out.
My name is Alan Petersen I write mysteries and thrillers. You can check out my Amazon page
Great tip, Alan, I’m gonna use that! I’ve been using Google Earth and other apps that let you do fly-overs. And since part of my book takes place in another place and time, I’m also finding astronomy apps to be helpful, especially ones that let you run back and forth in time and see views from other places in space. Yep, technology is a writer’s friend. Cheers! 🙂
ooh, fly-overs, good idea! Thanks for sharing that one as well. 🙂 Thanks for your feedback!
A good tip Alan. And a lot safer than visiting Tegucigalpa! I’ve never been to Tegucigalpa myself, but have visited San Pedro Sula loads of time (no safer, I understand). Waiting for your WIP to become a novel so I can see how/why you’ve woven Honduras into it.
Have only just found your website (from a Twitter link by Scrivener). Great. Now bookmarked to follow it regularly.
Best wishes,
Clive
Hi Clive, thanks for stopping by and for your comment. That is true, YouTube is the safer option! 🙂