• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
Women's Fiction Writers Banner
  • Home
  • About Amy Sue Nathan
  • About WFW
  • Amy’s Books
    • The Glass Wives
    • The Good Neighbor
    • Left To Chance
  • Amy the Writing Coach & Editor
You are here: Home / THE LAST BATHING BEAUTY / The Story Behind the Story #3

The Story Behind the Story #3

March 18, 2019 6 Comments

Hi there!

I see my stories in my head while I write. (Do you? But I do not see faces, go figure.) It only goes to reason that my novels would be inspired by images, right? Actually, The Last Bathing Beauty is the first of my four books to be inspired by a photograph and an article. I’d learned about South Haven and started digging around. I not only found out about the Historical Society of South Haven, a place (and person) I’d get to know well, but when I saw this article and photo, I knew the story I needed to write.

I wondered who she was — and what about her made her simply the Zipperstein granddaughter? What was that summer like for her? What did she do after that? I didn’t dig or delve or research — I IMAGINED. And Betty was born! (When I enlarge the article it’s all blurry, and love ya, but not retyping it. You’ll have to wait and read MY VERSION in the novel. THAT was fun.)

Here’s a look at the contestants. Times have changed!

 

Here’s a close up of Miss South Haven and another girl, and as you can see, their sashes were embroidered with the name of the resort they represented. I guess it was like having a sponsor, but I do imagine that the win was as much for the resort as the young lady. I know that was the case for Betty!

 

As you’ll read in the novel, Betty causes quite a stir at the contest! No photos from that day are quite this serene!

It was fun to have this kind of inspiration, and that of an entire era in South Haven as my inspiration. It was the first time I was staying true to a time period and place I had not lived in. It reminded me how much I love the research process, and how easy it is to spend hours poring over books and articles and photos. It’s now my preferred writing companion — and I already have a magazine from 1962 that has sparked my idea for book #5.

I guess I could’ve gone anywhere with an idea taken from these pictures and words. I hope you’ll enjoy the path I followed to write this book!

Amy xo

PS In April I’m posting one bit of writing advice every day for 30 days, then in May I’ll be back with weekly updates and The Story Behind The Story. (But I’ll be around with updates until then)

 

 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Filed Under: THE LAST BATHING BEAUTY

Previous Post: « Going Green on WFW
Next Post: Not. Good. News. (with a bright side) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Barbara Pacific says

    March 18, 2019 at 12:14 pm

    When does this book come out???

    Reply
    • Amy Sue Nathan says

      March 18, 2019 at 12:54 pm

      Next year, Barbara, thanks for asking!

      Reply
  2. Liz Swanson says

    March 18, 2019 at 3:21 pm

    What a great idea! I love the way you got your inspiration. Helps me think more broadly too. 🙂
    Liz

    Reply
    • Amy Sue Nathan says

      March 18, 2019 at 8:13 pm

      That makes me smile, Liz. Thanks!

      Reply
  3. Lori Nelson Spielman says

    March 19, 2019 at 6:44 am

    Such a great way to find inspiration, Amy. I’m so excited to read this book!

    Reply
    • Amy Sue Nathan says

      March 19, 2019 at 7:23 am

      Thanks, Lori. I’m eager for you to read it — as my friend and as a Michigander!

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Get Updates by Email

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email.

Award-winning 2015-2018

Search for a post

Posts by Topic

Secondary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

My Novels





Copyright © 2021 · Women's Fiction Writers Blog

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.