Joyce Moyer Hostetter, friend and fellow children’s author, is currently writing a novel taking place in communist-era East Germany. She recently spent time researching on location. I asked her to share with us a little about her process and about how her research shaped her trip.
Thank you, Emily, for inviting me to chat about how research affected my visit to Germany. My goal was to learn as much as I could about the history of the Berlin Wall and about life in eastern Germany during the communist era. As you can imagine, this narrowed my options a bit. I love visiting castles, cathedrals, and museums but, if they weren’t directly related to my work-in-progress, I pretty much ignored those things in favor of museums and historical landmarks that were important to my character.
There is the Brandenburg Door, of course! It definitely figures into my story!
And also the remnants of Anhalter Station which I didn’t even know existed until we passed it on the way to our hotel. I knew immedediately that this place would have significance for my character. I can’t wait to find out how it plays into the story.
At museums that tied into my story, I had to keep my focus. I couldn’t soak up every little thing – just those items that related to my subject. Time was of the essence so my camera became my note taker. I snapped pictures of everything! Information signs, artifacts, and primary documents.
I visited specific spots where my characters spent time.
Of course the landscape has changed tremendously in the decades since my story takes place but still it was important to me to walk the cobblestone streets, see certain landscapes at sunset or midday,
and take in the details of buildings, and the environment in general.
Knowing which trees are native to my setting and seeing them in bloom is important to me. I’m fairly certain my character would take note of such things.
So maybe you, or one of your readers, can tell me what this tree is.
And is it the same as this one with white blossoms?
I chose not to go to some places (big heartbreak). I wanted to visit the oldest carousel in the world near Frankfurt am Main since it is (or
How fascinating! A master historical novelist giving an inside look at her research process! So much you have collected, so many tidbits and images and memories for your characters, I am sure it doesn’t even matter whether all of it ends up in your story, or not. All I can tell is, this is going to be one amazing story, which I cannot wait to read!
Katia Raina
What a great piece by Joyce! Thanks for sharing this, Emily. I’m a writer friend of Joyce’s who is aware of her work-in-progress. This makes me all the more eager for the completed book in my hands! I also have a pastor friend who served in Halle; he’ll be excited about this, too.
Thanks Katia for the vote of confidence! Great to have you stop in here.
Hello, I am one of Peggy Reiff Miller’s pastors here in Goshen IN. I believe that the picture you have of the tree is that of a “horse chestnut tree”. I also recognized the Weavers that were in your picture of people you met in Halle. They were part of our church planting team. What memories this brings back. If you have other questions, my wife and I would love to chat, per email, phone etc.
Peggy, so great to have you drop by! And ST, I imagine that I will have questions along the way. (I hope you speak German!) Thanks for the tree name. Very helpful.
The Weavers hosted us at Soli Deo and we made some great friends there. We loved Halle and miss it so much. Feel free to email me @ moyergirl at charter dot net so that I can have your email address.
Wonderful! This is how I felt in Chicago, although I didn’t travel nearly as far as you for that trip! But that feeling of so much to see, so little time, and knowing that a return trip would be needed. Oh, darn, right?!
Yes, Becky – oh darn – gotta go back! Saving those pennies.
Here’s hoping you get that return trip to the Windy City and your story’s roots. Soon!
Emily, thanks for hosting Joyce on your blog and allowing us to hear about her research trip. I always find it exciting to hear and learn about other cultures and their customs.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Nice to “meet” you Peggy, and thanks for dropping by. Yes, it will be exciting to see the finished piece!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. I find it fascinating too. I’ve never written historical stuff, and so far my research has been minimal, so I loved getting a window into Joyce’s world.
Thanks for stopping by. A friend here confirms the tree name. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it! I did, too. What a fun window into Joyce’s world.