GRACE VANDERWAAL - I Don’t Know My Name
I do sprinkle in a few writing tips in my own journey. Sometimes I take creative breaks where I work on a doodle or a project of some kind to decompress from the pressure of creating a story worth telling.
Research is a huge part of it, too.
For a long time, I have been planning to re-watch the TV show, Nikita. It’s a black ops spy series. I’m writing a spy novel. I want to take notes on all the terms they use, the equipment, the training, the weapons.
I tried to do regular spy research on the internet. It doesn’t come up with much, unfortunately. A lot of online “spy equipment” sites, which is filled with silly things like “infidelity detectors” and home security cameras and whatnot. Not too helpful.
But I can learn a lot from Nikita. Once I’m done with Nikita, I’ll probably start researching James Bond, because how can you call myself a spy writer if I don’t include James Bond in my research. It is THE spy franchise.
Should I read the books? Probably. But I’m trying to finish this novel and hopefully get it out into the world. I do not have time to read anything. I just want to focus on this. I have to focus on this.
My uncle was obsessed with James Bond when I was a kid. Every time I went to his house to spend the night with my cousin, James Bond movies were always on. They bored the crap out of me so I didn’t really pay any attention. So, to this day, I have not seen a full James Bond movie. But, like I said, I’d be foolish not to scour it for juicy details to add to my world.
FUN FACT: The character of James Bond was created by Ian Fleming, who also wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. One of my favorite musicals of all time, helmed by Dick Van Dyke, who was my first older man crush, and even though The Child Catcher can still give me nightmares.
SUB FUN FACT: Ian Fleming wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang while recovering from a heart attack. One of his friends suggested that he write down the bedtime story he used to tell his son before bed. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was the result.
Research can be tedious but can also come with fun things to know.
Anyway, back to Nikita.
Thanks for reading.
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