Saving Sabine, a contemporary-fiction novella, is based on an experience during a family vacation in London. It is part of the European Collection, a series of stories inspired by our travels while stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Some of you wondered about the details of this story. Here’s the short of it. It can be difficult as a writer to completely separate from fiction. Circumstances, people, and places tend to include details happening around or in the author’s life. These often serve as inspiration. But when the story is based on true events, actual facts are helpful.
Read Behind The Scenes: Saving Sabine for the first part of this blog series.
Here are eight behind-the-scene details in Saving Sabine explained.
One
I often rented a furnished apartment for our family of seven. Generally outfitted with bunkbeds, a (small European) washer-dryer-combo, and fully furnished kitchen, it was both practical and comfortable. Breakfasts were eaten in our home away from home, lunches were packed for an easy picnic as touring allowed, and dinner at a convenient restaurant was “voted” on based often by our location.
On this particular trip, I packed a huge suitcase full of frozen milks, and all my toddler’s favorites. He was our pickiest eater. It was a rare occasion when Spaghettio’s were on the menu more than once a week, but pulling out a can at random was so convenient.
If mama doesn’t enjoy vacation, no one does. LOL!
Two
Fruity beers are quite popular and creative in London. Almost every combination is on the menu. And they will make your mouth pucker.
Three
We planned our purchases based on our itinerary. We carried the two youngest kids in backpack carriers, any additional items easily became burdens. We rarely bought anything early in the day.
Four
Oyster cards are plastic debit cards purchased and reloaded with pounds at the subway depots to easily pay for a ride on the Tube.
Five
I have a distinct memory of leaving a child at home. We didn’t make it out of the subdivision without noticing my mistake. But that child still remembers being left at home for forever.
Six
Rumors of lost and stolen vehicles floated around the military community throughout our time in Germany. We actually had our minivan towed from a public spot in Italy once. The experience to retrieve our vehicle was something out of an episode of I Love Lucy. Now that the fiasco is safe in our memories, we joke about it, remembering it fondly.
Seven
We always traveled with pouches stuffed full of necessities and worn around our necks. With so many passports, it was tough to fit them all in. Everywhere we went a bulging pack stuffed our shirts. But we never lost our important items. Not the ones crammed in the zipper pouch anyway.
Eight
My kids grew up with the rule if you ask for something in front of a friend the answer was no. I hated the pressure. And once they learned this, my life as a mom became easier. Apparently, I’m a people pleaser through and through.
As any great observer, I’m always looking for details to enhance a story or its characters. This novella, inspired by true events, is no different. London is one of my favorite cities. It was only natural to incorporate little things I love into it.
More questions? Drop them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer.
Cheers!
