Victor writes…

Dear Michelle. I have just started Dark Matter. Very enjoyable so far and looking forward to completing. I do not often read fiction. When you travelled around the setting of the book. I assume that you took lots of pictures. Have you thought about showing some of the pictures on your website? Thanks Vic

Michelle Replies…

Dear Victor, I’m so glad that you’re enjoying Dark Matter; and you raise an interesting question.  As you’ll know from the Author’s Note, I went to Spitsbergen (ie Svalbard) twice: once in the summer, before I had the idea for the story, and again in winter, when I’d finished the first draft and was deep in the writing.  I took a few pictures on the summer trip, but none on the winter one, as it was mostly dark.  However my pictures were rather dull (that’s why I’ve never posted them on the website), and I didn’t use them when I was writing.  I generally don’t, as I’ve found that pictures don’t help me.  So even if I do take a few snaps on my research trips (at the request of my agent, for publicity!), I don’t use them when I’m working up or writing a story.  What I do use are the notes I scribble down while I’m out “in the field”, about topography, smells, sounds, feelings, impressions; a character’s emotions; ideas for episodes or incidents.  My winter trip to Spitsbergen gave me a wealth of insights into how Jack’s feelings and reactions.  For instance, on a solitary walk on the outskirts of Longyearbyen in the winter, I was powerfully struck by how often I checked the sky to see whether clouds were covering the moon: not surprisingly, as it was my one source of light, and my protection from the dark.  And the sound of my snowshoes created an odd echo on the crunchy snowcrust, as if someone were walking behind me.  Both found their way into the story.  And it’s why I rely on notes rather than photos!   Thanks for getting in touch, and I do hope that you enjoy the rest of the book. With best wishes, Michele