Your novel has been on the New York Times Bestseller List for twelve weeks now and HBO just called- they want to make your book(s) into a miniseries. It’s going to win a lot of awards. Like a lot, a lot.
You could kick back and retire to your beach house, but you are driven to write another riveting tale, one that Steven Spielberg will kiss your feet to produce. With all your money you’ve decided to take a trip to do research for you next novel (after donating a sizable chunk to the charity of your choice and paying off all your bills). So you contact Laure Martone, today’s featured blogger and travel guru, and get her advice on your dream locale.
I would take a trip to Angkor Wat. I have this story idea that’s been rattling around in my head for a year now, but I only know the ending. It might take place in Tikal (where I got the inspiration), but it might take place in Cambodia. It needs ancient ruins from a civilization we know little about- a mysterious setting to capture the essence of the story.
And it helps to have monkeys. I like monkeys.
So, I’m going to Cambodia with my new-found riches. Where are you going?
Fun one, Stephanie! Let's see…I'm Irish. My husband is Irish. I want to see Ireland. I want to find all the Irish wonder that Nora Roberts is so good at describing, to soak it all in and storee it somewhere deep inside me. I want to eat at an Irish pub and freeze my butt off in a cold rainstorm, buffeted by a strong Irish wind. Sounds fun, doesn't it?! 😉
Shannon- My maiden name is Crowley which is Irish. I've gone once, but only to Dublin- I need to get out and see the countryside. And if you've downed a couple pints of Guinness you won't even feel that rain!
Dude, I love your blog. I love that you're interested in ancient civilisations!
I really want to go to South America and check out some places there. I've always had a soft spot for Teotihuacan and also some of the sites around Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.
I also have a historical fiction story that I really want to write so i might go back to England for some research. Or back to Croatia. Croatia rocks!
Definitely Ireland. And maybe Italy so I can do some research into the history of Rome.
I always wanted to spend a month researching in San Francisco though. I've had an idea for an alternate history/historical about SF in the late 1800s that I thought was really interesting.
You've selected such exciting places Stephanie! If I had to be adventurous, Italy or Rome.
Both places I know I can drag hubby with me minus any complaints!
I almost choked on my coffee when I saw this image of Tikal pop up in my google dashboard! I used to live in Belize, on the Guatemala border, and have been to Tikal a handful of times. Such a beautiful place! Have you been?
Scandinavia–Denmark for sure, because they have a really cool Scandinavian history program that I want to get into. Then Iceland, and I would be remiss if I did not stop in France (for my book) and Italy. I have family in Italy, and it would be rude not to visit them if I'm going all that way. But my husband will kill me if we don't go to the UK for him, too.
Oh, and side note: When I saw the title of this post I started singing the "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?" theme song in my head.
Thanks Stephanie! 😛
Matt- I was humming that song as I wrote the title. I probably should have included my last name- it would flow better. Do they still make that game? I grant you the power (and money) to travel to all three. I foresee Italy, Ireland, and SF in your future!
Amalia- I've never been to Scandinavia, but I imagine it's beautiful. France and Italy are a must!
MeganRebekah- I have been to Tikal! We were there last year over Christmas and it was AWESOME! I love Guatemala- its culture is so rich and the archaeology is amazing. And they have monkeys and coatis so my daughter was thrilled.
Tamika- Italy is fabulous. It's an easy country to travel in and there's hardly a town without something fun to do. Maybe Naples, but only because it's dirty.
Jade- I love ancient civilizations! I studied to become an archaeologist, but living in Alaska kind of nixed that. So now I teach about them. I've always wanted to go to Croatia, but have never made it. It's on my list! I have a bunch of places in South America I need to get to as well, but so far I've only made it to Central America. Must get further south!
The easy answer?
Everywhere.
Quite literally. If I had the money, I'd go everywhere.
I love the name Angkor Wat 🙂 — I'd probably go to Machu Picchu first.
Oh, I would go to Ireland again, just because I loved it! Also, I would love to visit Greece or the Netherlands.
Sigh. I will continue to dream!
New Zealand -that's what I've modeled the ecology and geography of my scifi WIP after.
Very fun idea. I'd say I'm going to Jerusalem. There are a lot of concepts I could work with that would deal with Jersalem for Religious Fiction/Fantasy. I would love to tour the Holy Land (on my own terms, not part of a tour company). It's so rich in history and culture.
L.T.- My unattainable goal in life is to go everywhere too. It's a work in progress!
Voidwalker- I looked at Jerusalem from Jordan- does that count? And I'm with ya- tour companies are bad, very bad. (Says the girl who used to work for one.)
KatieGrrr- Cool! I'd love to go to New Zealand one day. Talk about unique flora and fauna!
V.S.- I finally checked Greece off my list this summer, but I want to go back!
Bane- Machu Picchu is on the top of my list. The hubby and I had plans to trek there, but now we want to wait until the monkey can tag along. I want to hike the park and I don't think a three-year-old is quite up to the challenge.
So hard, I want to go everywhere! I've only been to Greece and Thailand so far. I wanted to go to Angkor Wat but was broke by that leg of the trip 🙁 So, with my newfound riches the next place MUST be Egypt! Then Italy, England, South America…
Fun question! I've had the opportunity to travel a good bit, but there are still sooo many places I want to go. Next on my list are England, Ireland and France, and China. I really want to go back to Australia and New Zealand too!