Here's where I get demanding, so you lovely people have been warned in advance...
My current situation:
All three instalments of my crime trilogy are complete, apart from the Big Continuity Edit/Partial Rewrite Edit (in the earliest of stages) and the Big Technical Edit (I'm saving that hell for another month).
The story takes place over the 23 years between 1986-2009 in a fair few locations which needed reconnaissance:
NW England = Easy to visit locations whenever I need to.
Bavaria & Zurich = Been to each place enough times to have what I need for the limited number of sections occurring there.
The good ol' US-of-A: One mad long weekend in NYC ages ago, a week in/around Denver and three uber-roadtrips taking in 17 states (not all for book research, but most enjoyable all the same). I needed big open spaces, mountains and ravines - which we don't do well in the UK.
The majority of the US-based action takes place in/around Denver and Golden, with a little bit of Boulder thrown in and the occasional visit to Breckenridge, Winter Park, Granby, Telluride, Cortez and RMNP. I've been to all these places, some more than once. However, visiting in July/August as a tourist - albeit a not particularly touristy tourist - doesn't give the same perspectives and experiences as actually living in a place all year round.
I've been attentive. I've looked, asked, listened, smelled and tasted (too much tasting, according to my waistbands) my way around these places and carried out an inordinate amount of internet-based research.
So... what I really need now are those little snippets of Mile High authenticity I've missed by being a vacationing flatlander Limey. ANY little random-isms from the locals about Denver/Golden/Colorado in general which will fatten up my story are most welcome. Nothing is too strange!
Finally, before I shut up for a while, here's a bit of background about the main characters:
Family (1990-1993).
Move from England due to job relocation. Family lives near Golden, son goes to school in Golden, dad works in Denver, mum is a hausfrau (she's originally German).
Not related to...
Mr Good Guy (2001-2009).
Originally English, but isn't hung up about it (he even prefers coffee!). Has US citizenship (I've investigated this). Works in law enforcement. Lives in Wheat Ridge (rented apartment) and then Golden (bought small house). Likes hiking, cycling, beer. Not a skier. Bit of a perfectionist/stick up his ass at times. Belly sometimes gets homesick for English food, but not England. Meets Mrs Good Guy on a case in 2004 (she's originally from Boulder).
Family Good Guy (2004-2009).
Marry in 2005, daughter in 2006, son in 2009. Move to the outskirts of Golden. Family-oriented. Similar interests.
Massive thanks in advance!
LPH.
My current situation:
All three instalments of my crime trilogy are complete, apart from the Big Continuity Edit/Partial Rewrite Edit (in the earliest of stages) and the Big Technical Edit (I'm saving that hell for another month).
The story takes place over the 23 years between 1986-2009 in a fair few locations which needed reconnaissance:
NW England = Easy to visit locations whenever I need to.
Bavaria & Zurich = Been to each place enough times to have what I need for the limited number of sections occurring there.
The good ol' US-of-A: One mad long weekend in NYC ages ago, a week in/around Denver and three uber-roadtrips taking in 17 states (not all for book research, but most enjoyable all the same). I needed big open spaces, mountains and ravines - which we don't do well in the UK.
The majority of the US-based action takes place in/around Denver and Golden, with a little bit of Boulder thrown in and the occasional visit to Breckenridge, Winter Park, Granby, Telluride, Cortez and RMNP. I've been to all these places, some more than once. However, visiting in July/August as a tourist - albeit a not particularly touristy tourist - doesn't give the same perspectives and experiences as actually living in a place all year round.
I've been attentive. I've looked, asked, listened, smelled and tasted (too much tasting, according to my waistbands) my way around these places and carried out an inordinate amount of internet-based research.
So... what I really need now are those little snippets of Mile High authenticity I've missed by being a vacationing flatlander Limey. ANY little random-isms from the locals about Denver/Golden/Colorado in general which will fatten up my story are most welcome. Nothing is too strange!
Finally, before I shut up for a while, here's a bit of background about the main characters:
Family (1990-1993).
Move from England due to job relocation. Family lives near Golden, son goes to school in Golden, dad works in Denver, mum is a hausfrau (she's originally German).
Not related to...
Mr Good Guy (2001-2009).
Originally English, but isn't hung up about it (he even prefers coffee!). Has US citizenship (I've investigated this). Works in law enforcement. Lives in Wheat Ridge (rented apartment) and then Golden (bought small house). Likes hiking, cycling, beer. Not a skier. Bit of a perfectionist/stick up his ass at times. Belly sometimes gets homesick for English food, but not England. Meets Mrs Good Guy on a case in 2004 (she's originally from Boulder).
Family Good Guy (2004-2009).
Marry in 2005, daughter in 2006, son in 2009. Move to the outskirts of Golden. Family-oriented. Similar interests.
Massive thanks in advance!
LPH.
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