Research is one of the most fascinating parts of writing to me. Oh, the details that turn up that give wings to my imagination. Last week, Max and I threw our suitcases in the SUV and took off. We had a destination in mind, and I’d printed off a few of the places I wanted to visit, but mostly we were free-wheeling as Max set the GPS for Louisville, Kentucky.
I like to walk the earth where I set my stories, breathe the air my characters might have breathed, and absorb the language and culture of my settings. My goal is, of course, authenticity, but often I find that the pleasure of the hunt is far greater than the actual details that find their way into my novels.
For a series I’m currently working on, I wanted to step back in time to the Roaring Twenties and the glory years of the Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs was at the top of my list. They have a marvelous museum and an even more wonderful staff there who provided me with insider information. One of the guides had, in fact, written a book of his own and told me that his grandfather was the Louisville equivalent of Al Capone during the twenties – a real live gangster. I could have listened to his stories all day, and of course, it gave new possibilities to the story I have planned. He recommended we have lunch at Wagner’s Pharmacy which has been around since 1922 and is packed every day with horse owners, trainers, and jockeys. I had a heart warming homemade beef stew (Max had a burger) while perched on a counter stool where we watched the cooks dish up probably a hundred orders in the short time we were there.
Lunch at Wagner’s Pharmacy
Another of the guides copied information about the blanket of roses bestowed upon each year’s Derby winner and answered a slew of questions.
Run for the Roses Blanket bestowed on each year’s Kentucky Derby Winner
We toured all of the Downs, including the back lot where stables for as many as 1200 thoroughbreds make up a small city by itself. And by coincidence (really? I’m not so sure it was coincidence) the fall racing season started the week we were there. Since I’d never attended a horse race in my life, I’d not even considered that my research would include watching a live race – eight of them in fact.
“. . . through his mane and tail the high wind sings, Fanning the hairs, who wave like feather’d wings.”
~ William Shakespeare
And because I wanted an authentic feel, Max and I partook of the Mint Juleps made famous at the Kentucky Derby. (Note: Once in a lifetime is enough for me!) And I picked a winning horse!
the famous Mint Julep
Over the course of 4 1/2 days, we visited historic Old Louisville with its Victorian homes, had lunch overlooking the Ohio River, and toured a Saddlebred training operation with an historic home restored with antique furnishings, Keeneland Racecourse (a course with a 75-year history where much of the movie Secretariat was filmed), a large thoroughbred farm where we visited their stud barn and breeding arena, and the Kentucky Horse Park. We saw tobacco barns, early morning fog rolling through a valley, miles and miles of board fences, lush green paddocks, amazing homes (mansions!), and beautiful horses.
The highlight of the trip, though, was spending Saturday afternoon and evening with my dear friend, Thirza Peevey. Thirza and I met at the Guideposts Writers Workshop in Rye, NY, ten years ago. We’ve kept in touch, and from the moment she opened the door on our arrival, it was non-stop talking. Meeting her husband and daughter was such fun which is where the “two hens” comes in. After our initial warm-up chatter, Thirza’s nine-year-old daughter said with a twinkle in her eyes, “You want to see my hens?” They’re her pride and joy and live in a backyard coop. This one is a fine-looking hen, don’t you think?
One of the two pet hens.
Both Thirza and her husband, Tom, have a million stories about working on horse farms and horse racing in general (Tom’s uncle was a champion jockey in England). It was hard to leave after such a delightful day, but we had to say good-bye after our dinner in Lexington.
Now I have 900+ photos, a stack of brochures, and a raft of notes to decipher for the novel I’m writing. I’m excited and ready. Last time I told you about participating in NaNo this month. The work has begun, but the sweet Kentucky memories linger. And I’m as curious as you are about what details will end up in the final draft!
Anyone have a favorite horse story or research advice? I’m listening.