In December, I had the privilege to go to Scotland (my mom’s homeland) to celebrate my cousin’s wedding. It was a traditional Scottish wedding, including haggis, kilts, bagpipes, whiskey, and rain. I worked on TANABATA WISH a little bit during the trip, but mostly I was a sponge. One of the themes in TANABATA WISH, which is set in Japan, is trying to find normal when you are the odd woman out. I’ve been to Japan over 20 times in my life. I can’t say I’m exactly comfortable, but I know enough to get around. Going to Scotland was a great way for me to tap back into my main character’s thoughts and feelings about being faaaaaar outside of her comfort zone. Getting from Point A to Point B was a daily challenge. And I can even read the signs easily in Scotland! Edinburgh supposedly has a great public transportation system. I just couldn’t figure it out. Then again, I'm not known for my sense of direction. I felt like my hearing/speech was on delay because it took a few days to retune my ear to a Scottish accent. A bunch of the slang went completely over my head. That said, when I “ring off” with my Mom now, I like to say, “Cheery bye, Mum!” in a Scottish accent just to be goofy. Procuring food when you are on the road is always an adventure, especially when you are on a budget. I didn’t have my kids with me, so I enjoyed cheese and chocolate biscuits (cookies) for dinner on more than one occasion. I did splurge on an authentic pub meal though I passed on “Toad in a Hole." I don’t know exactly what that is, but I don’t think it involves amphibians.

One of my favorite parts of my visit to Scotland was this:


  

J.K. Rowling wrote a good chunk of her Harry Potter series at The Elephant House in Edinburgh, so you know that I had to go. I needed to spend some quality time in this International Satellite Office absorbing the awesomeness. 

I enjoyed talking shop with J.K. She nipped off to the loo during this picture, but she thinks my book is “bloody brilliant.”
[DISCLAIMER: Okay, I made that up. I do write fiction after all. It’s my friend Jill’s hat.]

An interesting fact, like many bathrooms, the loo walls in The Elephant House are covered with graffiti. Take the time to read them. They are all Harry Potter-themed! 

There is a great video on The Elephant House’s website with J.K. Rowling, which she made very early in her career. She had just sold Book #2, was working on #3, and Hollywood was debating about taking a chance on a movie about a boy wizard. Rowling still wasn't sure if she could even make a living as a children’s writer. Um, that would be a resounding YES!

My travel-inspired writing challenge for you this month:

To learn more about yourself and add an authentic depth to your characters, do something where you are the odd (wo)man out. Write about what you learned about yourself and how it made you feel. Be completely honest. This is for your eyes only.  For example:

Take this awareness training and apply it to the next time you travel, especially out of the country. I guarantee you’ll find out more about yourself and, in return, be able to apply that authenticity to your characters.

Okay, NOW get back to your writing. Happy 2012!

Sara 

P.S. Is it any surprise what my Book of the Month is?

P.P.S. I'm attending the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Winter Conference in New York City at the end of this month. Tweet me or shoot me an email if you are coming too.