So what does writer's research look like anyway?

On a road trip researching my next novel (a follow up to Surf City Acid Drop). Now, I am sure everyone does this differently, but I wanted to give a window into what my researching looks like. Mostly, I am just trying to get a feel, or vibe, from the area. I've been down here (Upper Peninsula of Michigan, or the U.P.), but I wanted to refresh my memory.

There are scenes in this novel that take place in bars and diners (no surprise), so whenever I am in one of these, I bring along a small notebook, and scribble down somethings in between bites of sandwich, or sips of beer/coffee/soda.

Here are a few notes from yesterday's visit to Ben's - a small, but seemingly popular diner, where I doubt the decor has changed since they opened in the 50's. Though, as you will see they might have reupholstered a chair or two.

A long u-shaped counter that waitresses dip into, serving the cowboy and baseball hat wearing clientele. Big metal grill and dome, half-dome lamps dangle off the ceiling attached with cheap chains. The booths are standard diner issue, the Formica is freshly scrubbed, the booths have a newish coat of periwinkle blue paint. A row of hooks down a skinny hallway for the regulars to hang their coats.

A dozen chrome and black vinyl stools - looking quite new - wrap around the counter.

The place is not pretentious retro-chic - they are just keeping up the place, neat, tidy, cared for. The laminated menus have a third of the items stroked out in heavy marker (no longer available I guess) They blew the budget on the stools, no money left for new menus.

The word "Gourmet" next to burgers look out of place. A square Fanta machine with 4 different choices stands next to huge metal milk dispenser that wouldn't look out of place in a factory cafeteria. A TV hangs soundless over the grill showing games shows.

Mixed with the half-domes are a trio of chandeliers, 6 fat bulbs pretend to be candles, one of the three fixtures is burnt out.

A lone "45" record dangles on a string from a chandelier, and swings in the breeze when someone opens the door. The record is not a look they are going for - it's just the one record (maybe the cook's favorite?) Was it a look that they tried, and gave up on, just never taking the single down?

The atmosphere is friendly, a slower pace, most people know each other, the diner part of their daily routine. A candy machine contains a last layer of rainbow coloured disks - the last time someone bought candy, the 45 was probably still playable.

When I write this, I am never sure if I will use any of it - but I am looking for that interesting detail that brings something fresh. For me it was that lone record dangling from a string.

Off to walk along Lake Michigan... bringing my notebook.

Oh, and I did manage to sneak a shot of that record... for the record.