It’s getting "down to the wire" on the deadline for my first MONK novel, MR. MONK GOES TO THE FIRE HOUSE, which is due June 1. I’m not going to have a problem delivering the book on time, though I hope I never have to write a book in eight weeks again. (I’ve got 3 1/2 months to write my second MONK novel)
I’m up in San Francisco today, where MONK is set, though it has been shot in Toronto and, for the last season or two, in Santa Clarita, California. I figured it was time I got to know the city a little
better. Even though I am from the Bay Area (born in Oakland, raised in Walnut Creek), I am not as familiar with SF as I’d
like to be…or need to be… if I am going to create any sense of place in these
MONK books.
I haven’t had to make a conscious effort to get to know a city for a book since THE WALK, my novel about a guy who walks across L.A. after the Big One hits. The DIAGNOSIS MURDER books take place, for the most part, in L.A. Since I live in L.A. , describing the city and neighborhoods comes easily, since I know the city well. Even so, I’ve also got a bunch of L.A. architecture and history books and travel guides to use for research when necesary…and occasionally have to drive some where and take some pictures to add more texture to the writing.
Although I’ve been back to SF maybe thirty times in the last, say, ten years, the problem is I always go to the same parts of the city every time (mostly the tourist spots at that). I’m making a big effort over the next two days to visit neighborhoods I haven’t been to in years or am unfamiliar with…and to take lots of pictures. In doing so, I’m discovering a whole new San Francisco. I’m also picking up lots of books on SF while I’m here for research and to refresh my memory.
It’s fun, though I’m painfully aware that hours spent on the streets are hours not spent at the laptop writing…
Lee, Shoot me an email and i will hook you up with my dad’s old buddy (since he was at UW)Allen Goldblatt, he lives in SF and has for the last 5 years or so and is a great guy. He always entertains me when I have a free day and if it weren’t for him the only parts of SF I would have ever seen would have been China Town and fisherman’s wharf. If you want to have Monk trapped in the suburbs, I can tell you all about lovely San Jose and Milpitas… If you want to see more parts of the city that aren’t touristy, you might also try driving through the castro and up the hill and veer left, when you get to the “top” there is a funny church on the right hand side of the street (lutheran i think) with a big sign that says “God loves all Her children” or soemething to that effect. Grab a starbucks from across the street and head back down, about a block down from there there is a great place to pull off and get a different view of the city than you would get almost any other place, very pretty but in a less post-cardy kind of way.
Lee, my wife bought me a small handheld tape recorder for Father’s Day last year and it has been an amazing tool for research and location scouting. I’ve taken walks through areas I want to use in my book and describe them as I go. It’s especially great if you’re driving and can’t take notes.
Walnut Creek? Dude… I would *totally* have guessed Paris…
INTER-BLOG-A-TORY TRAVEL
CBS DISTORTS STARRS COMMENTS: CBS took a quote criticizing the current practice of Democrats,and transmogrified it into a criticism of a proposed plan of action by Republicans. Thanks….and, No Thanks: When was the last time you thanked your doctor?…
INTER-BLOG-A-TORY TRAVEL
CBS DISTORTS STARRS COMMENTS: CBS took a quote criticizing the current practice of Democrats,and transmogrified it into a criticism of a proposed plan of action by Republicans. Thanks….and, No Thanks: When was the last time you thanked your doctor?…
Lee, how exciting about the Monk novel! I love Monk, though I have to admit I miss Sharona. And I wish it weren’t on Friday nights, when I can’t watch.
I must get Tivo.
Enjoy San Francisco.
Did you get to any Fire houses while you were there? They have some fantastic turn of the century (1900’s) era stations.
Richard
Since I was born in the ‘city’ I’m partial to my little section of SF. Check out the avenues, That area really hasn’t changed since I grew up there in the 60’s.
I used to roam around the city frequently when I lived in Santa Rosa in the ’80s. It’s a good hiking town.
Found this site by way of a mention at the Monk fans livejournal community. Very excited to hear there will be upcoming Monk novels!
Were you around for Bay to Breakers? I smile just to think what poor Monk’s reaction would be to some of the more, uh… colorful participants.
If you’re taking photos: best view of the city is from Treasure Island.