I’m currently outlining Book 2 in the series, BETRAYED. I hunkered down in the library with some research materials and a notebook. After a few hours, I needed to stretch my legs, so I headed down the hallway.
The Friends of the Library bookstore was open, and I thought, “Hm, I wonder if they have any coffee table books on Versailles.” BETRAYED takes place, in part, at Versailles, and although I’ve visited a handful of times, I thought some visuals would help. A giant coffee table book with color images of the Hameau, Marie Antoinettte’s bedroom, the Galerie des Glaces: all of these things might trigger something helpful for my outline.
It became clear upon entering, though, that the bookstore was very loosely organized, and that a search for that book would take hours. A staff member happened to come by and so I hopefully asked, “Do you have any books on Versailles?” As she launched into an explanation of how the books are not catalogued and are simply put on the shelves when people donate them, I looked past her shoulder and pointed.
A large book with the word “Versailles” on its black spine.
“There it is!” I said.
She looked amazed and asked, “Can I touch you?” I laughed and told her to buy a lottery ticket. I love coincidences.
So I excitedly purchased the book and headed back to the table in the library where I’d spread out my materials. And guess what? Coincidence #2.
The book I’d just purchased without really looking at it was the exact same as the library book on Versailles that was sitting there with my notebook. It just had a different dustjacket.
So apparently there’s something in that book I need to know. And I’ll need to have that book even after the library version of it is due!
I’m reading it fervently, trying to figure out what that something is….
I’ll keep you posted.
Lynn Carthage is the pseudonym of an acclaimed fiction writer who has been a Yaddo fellow and teaches novel writing. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
