Robert De Niro in Raging Bull, Natalie Portman in Black Swan and more recently Austin Butler, who I think might still speak like Elvis; method acting has been around for years, but what about writers like me who create characters for books on a daily basis?
Is there such thing as method writing?
Well, I don’t know that there is, but on a recent trip to London I was determined to find out by carrying out some very active research for my next novel. And reader, I have to say it worked a treat.
I’ve recently signed a shiny new book deal with publishing giants Penguin Random House and with my first book all set to be released this Christmas (incidentally called, This Christmas) it was time for me to think ahead to next year’s festive love story.
After much brainstorming, I soon got my story cracked. Two Irish people, Bea, a hotel manager and Ollie, a nurse, miss their plane home to Belfast from London on Christmas Eve.
They get chatting at the airport, their two worlds collide, and we follow them over the course of the next 12 months as fate and synchronicity kick in to see can they get together by the time Christmas comes round again.
Now, I’ve no idea where I got the name ‘Bea’ from. I don’t know anyone called Bea, but Ollie and Bea just came to me in a lightbulb moment.
I already like them both a lot.
After a bit of random online research, I quickly found the Egerton Hotel in Knightsbridge, which seemed to fit the bill as Bea’s place of work. Oozing charm, very old-worldly and a bonus as it allows dogs. Result.
But to my surprise and delight, when I approached the hotel and told them about my book research, I was instead offered the chance to stay at their flagship hotel, The Milestone Hotel and Residences, which overlooks Kensington Gardens.
Both hotels looked amazing, but when I checked out The Milestone my eyes went wide. This was the type of hotel my Bea would work in. I couldn’t get my bag packed quickly enough and when I called my cousin Maria in England to see if she’d like to join me, it was a no-brainer. We were all set.
I juggled some childcare arrangements at home, then headed off with my notebook and pen – let the research begin.
Soon, I was strolling around Kensington and the moment I approached the majestic Victorian building, The Milestone's double doors were opened by two porters as if by magic. It was love at first sight.
The entrance with its mahogany front desk and fresh red carnations is homely, welcoming and bursting with warmth. The uniformed staff are leagues above anything I’ve ever experienced – smart, smiling and so friendly I immediately felt like I’d known them forever. A special shout out to duty manager Tom who greeted me by name before I even needed to introduce myself. Very impressive.
Maria and I stayed in the Kensington Suite which was so decadent, with its small balcony overlooking the famous palace and gardens, and as red London buses raced past below and I sipped champagne, I couldn’t hide the beam on my face. This was the London life. This was exactly what Bea was surrounded by.
I could feel her coming to life by the second.
It was as if she was really in the room with me and I was already bursting with inspiration.
And if I wanted to get scribbling, I didn’t have to go far as a large walnut writing desk facing the floor to ceiling window with a palace view was right there for the taking. My idea of heaven.
Our suite was made up of two floors decorated in luxurious but cosy cream and gold. Everything from the welcome drink to the bedtime turnover was intimate and impeccable. The staff had even made me business cards with my name printed on them.
We had red velvet cake, we had cocktails and when it came to dinner, we were well and truly spoilt with the most delicious wine, plus four courses of melt-in-the-mouth dishes including the finest Dover Sole prepared by head chef Sam Saunders.
And to top off my romance research, after dinner we took a taxi to the Harold Pinter theatre where we watched Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) and Aidan Turner (Poldark) give outstanding performances in the romantic comedy, Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons. Without getting ahead of myself, wouldn’t Aidan Turner make a great Ollie in the movie version of my book? Yes, yes, I totally agree.
My trip also included a meeting with my agent, publisher and publicity team so I’d an early start the next morning to talk business.
With so much competition out there, it’s important we work at least a year ahead, so it was with both excitement and sadness I bade farewell to my wonderful London abode but before I set off, I paused as a book on display caught my eye in reception.
It featured a 1950s style black and white image of a striking lady, so I went over for a closer look, as duty manager Tom explained it was written by the owner and founder of the hotel group.
She’s in her eighties now, but still pops by to greet her guests at The Milestone Hotel.
I lifted the book and looked at her name which was printed below her photograph. My heart skipped a beat.
Bea Tollman.
Bea.
A shiver ran through me as I stared at her photo.
So, Bea is a real person at The Milestone Hotel. A name that came to me in a split second, a hotel that found me, and a place that filled my cup of inspiration more than I could have ever imagined.
Now, that’s what I call synchronicity.
Maybe method writing does work after all.
One More Day by Emma Heatherington is out now. For further information on The Milestone Hotel visit milestonehotel.com
