So, a few days ago I watched a movie about the Jersey Devil. It was just so-so at best, but it did inspire me. When I am done revising my current story and maybe doing one or two other small things, I have decided to write a Jersey Devil story, probably dealing, in some way, with issues of shame, playing off various aspects of the Jersey Devil/Mother Leeds legend.
However, I am always rather...wary...of writing stories in modern settings and even more so in real world settings and even even more more so in specific modern real world settings, such as the New Jersey Pine Barrens. So, by all that's accurate and in an effort to avoid pitfalls, I am looking for anyone from the area, who has been to the area and/or who has researched the legends to help me in whatever way they wish and their time allows to get an idea of the ways of the locality and its people and any suggestions on interesting angles to approach the legend from or elements to include therein.
Posted by MattLeo (Member # 9331) on :
I'm not from NJ but I've heard of this. There's a club or something of people who hunt the thing. I shouldn't think that the legendary stuff would be hard to dig up.
I'd also look into wilderness survival guru Tom Brown's memoirs of growing up in the Pine Barrens for details about the place that would probably be useful if you're going for the fantastic/realistic dichotomy. One of the things I remember about it was the packs of feral dogs that roam the place.
Posted by Merlion-Emrys (Member # 7912) on :
So, I'm getting started on this more strongly now so feedback is needed. I think my protagonist is going to be camping in the Barrens so any ideas as to a good area for that, sensory impressions I should include, takes on the legend etc...all are helpful.