I’ve recently written an article for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators on this very debate!

Drawing on the experiences of UK SCBWI members, Sarah Mussi and Jon Mayhew, I explore whether full immersion in the setting-of-interest affects the result, or whether a shed at the bottom of the garden, Philip-Pullman-style, does just as well!

Sarah Mussi: “One day, stuck in (London) traffic, I wondered why this place was called New Cross… and what exactly a ‘new cross’ would be.”

The article appears in the January/February 2013 edition of the SCBWI international Bulletin magazine. You have to be a member to view it, but all writers and illustrators, whether unpublished or published are welcome to join.

For more info, see www.scbwi.org.

 

Meanwhile, the debate rages on. To add your thoughts, comment below!

You don’t have to be there to write about it, but it helps?