Write about what you know by immersing yourself.

Hunter S. Thompson did it. Ernest Hemingway did it. A thousand other writers did it. They dove headfirst into the life they wanted to write about and immersed themselves. They had their names for this process. Hunter called it Gonzo Journalism. I call it immersive writing.

Is there any other way?

I spent some time in Scotland earlier this year, and the idea came to me that I wanted to spend the summer working in a distillery. I'll sweep floors, carry heavy things, greet tourists, and give tours—whatever help they need.

Then, at night, I'll write. I'll write about the people I meet, the distillery, its history, the town, the countryside, the flavors and food, and the life of a real-world distillery. I want to tell the story in ways no ad campaign can, and after a couple of months, I'll have a book.

The Still Life Stories.

Now I'm looking for that distillery. It might be in a small town, on an island, in the middle of a bustling city... I'm open to whatever kismet brings my way. I've got three months to work hard, write and create.

Will it be your distillery? Let's talk.