Embedded Files
Behind the Pages of Waterlogged
Waterlogged was such a fun mystery to write. Mostly because the setting was just begging for a twisty mystery. The Turtle Flambeau Flowage is a real location in Iron County, Wisconsin. My wife and I spent a couple of days in the area and the roads are every bit as narrow as I describe them in the book. The majority of the area surrounding the flowage is owned by the state and protected from development, making it an incredible natural habitat. The islands scattered about are real and most campsites accessible only by boat. SO MUCH FUN!!
So, here's some behind the pages insight into the where and why of Waterlogged! I hope you enjoy seeing what inspired me.
Below is a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources map of the Turtle Flambeau Flowage, along with the various campsites that Jordan searched and the boat launches discussed in the book. If you zoom in, toward the bottom of the big water area, you'll see site R-9 where Zoey was camping. It gives you an idea of how many campsites Jordan searched, and how few she had left to search.
To see the map more upclose... https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/lands/turtleflambeau/recreation/camping
Next to the map are photos of the loons and the snapping turtles. The area really is known as the Loon capital. The bar, the cabins, and the diner were all my imagination but set in a real area on the river toward the top of the map.
Next, you'll see photos I took while visiting the area. These are the photos that kept me inspired as I wrote the story and described each scene.
Again... the setting really set the stage for this action packed mystery!
PS... I tried to generate an image of Jordan and Hanna, but nothing came close to what I saw in my mind. I think our imaginations do a far better job imagining these characters than AI could ever do. So, I'll leave the characters to you and your mind's eye. <3
Imagine Jordan and Hanna walking back to the cabins on this single lane road after finding the wrecked car.
The roads around the flowage are narrow. More than once we had to pull off into the ferns to let on coming cars go by.
Natural shorelines.
There are very few houses / businesses on the shoreline of the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. The natural landscape made it perfect for a mystery.
Imagine a boat chase through this channel and Zoey hiding in the reeds...
You can just see Jordan in her boat, chasing the suspect through the tight turns around the islands!
If you look closely... you can see the loons
We did get to see loons while we were up there. I can't tell you how amazing their calls are!!!
One of the islands large enough to camp on...
The camping islands were so much fun to see and imagine Jordan searching each one.
The Turtle River
This is the turtle river - where Jordan and Hanna walked to the clearing that was like the bee scene in Fried Green Tomatoes.
Turtle-Flambeau Flowage
The building Hanna parked behind when she joined Jordan on the search.
Docks at the Fisherman's Landing Boat Launch
Here's where the search party started!!
All about "THE HAND"
Fun fact... I took the photo for the cover. My wife was a great sport and put up with standing in the water at our shoreline while I draped her hand with seaweed for the perfect shot... Here's the original with her healthy pink skin. ;-)
Bold Strokes Books cover designer, Tammy, did an AMAZING job!!
Nothing like camping on an island!
While we didn't camp on an island... I have a strong desire to head up there with the kayaks and do so!!
Every book I write gets an epic playlist!! Here's the one I listened to while writing Waterlogged. Notice the cover by Shakira of "Back in Black" is included, so is Sophie B. Hawkins - "Damn, I wish I was your lover" and so many more that kept me in the moment of the story.
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