This is another one of those chapters where I needed to do a great deal of research. This time, concerning the ocean and its behaviour. It was interesting learning all about wave patterns and storms. I even treated myself to writing a few pictorial scenes, which I generally try to avoid. Not because I don’t enjoy them, but it is a style I have chosen for this book. I do, however, always end up doing a lot of research when it comes to places, clothes or furniture. I am just not particularly keen on adding to all of this, descriptive sunsets or rolling hills.
Surprisingly, some of the nautical facts I knew (exact figures, no), such as how to ride a wave – this came from my short, hitch-hiked journey on a catamaran boat, or the fact that there is a point in the ocean where the body stops sinking and simply floats, gained during my brief stay in the Dominican Republic, where I took my paddy license.
Other points that jolted my memory was reading how while George was drowning his mind was flooded with memories with Evylin. His awareness of how much time he had spent with her and his belief she would return and wait for him somewhere was a revelation to him.
This romantic moment is then contrasted with a rude awakening on Level Seven, where the stink of the city, plus the swallowed saltwater, causes him to vomit for a good three minutes.
I have no real recollection as to why I chose to model Level Seven on Philadelphia. My memories of the city are nothing like those described in this chapter. I have only fond memories of the place. I think this is just part of the subconscious magic of the book. The whole of Level Seven runs freely. (Naturally, with loads of research concerning buildings and locations) but I can honestly claim that this part of the story virtually wrote itself. It’s a good feeling when the story takes over. Where I am forced to write certain things, even though I do not wish them. By this time the characters of my book are established and behave in a certain way, whether I like it or not. 😊 It is the natural development of the story.
I did have fun, also, writing the scene with the whiskey bottle; it’s the kind of thing I imagine would happen, people standing around, not interfering, enjoying the entertainment. I also enjoyed George’s shock at finding every second NPC smoked. This is a direct memory from my youth. Growing up in the seventies, it was common. It was a social event. I suppose I might have difficulties today getting actors to play these roles. LOL
