[originaltext] Many years ago, I read that James A. Michener, who, at 40, wo

Many years ago, I read that James A. Michener, who, at 40, won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for Tales of the South Pacific, his first novel,(4)advised young writers to do extensive research before trying to write a novel.
    I thought this was the right path to take, so I visited Spain, Australia, Japan, China and other countries which, along with my library research, resulted in my publishing many books. Such advice, however, can lead you astray—as in the research I did for a proposed book set in Hitler’s Germany.(6)I read in a book how the Nazis would put a tin bucket over a person’s head and beat on it with a stick to drive the poor person crazy.
    I wondered if this were really true. Remembering Michener’s advice, I decided to give it a try. So I went out to my backyard and glanced around to make sure no one was watching. Then I put a bucket over my head and beat on it with a broom handle. The noise was unbelievable and unbearable. I banged the bucket a few more times to make sure I could write that scene for the book.
    With my ears still ringing, I quickly pushed back the bucket and found myself looking into the astonished, fearful face of my neighbor, staring out of her apartment window, located directly above the apartment my husband and I were renting. We stared at each other for the longest time without saying a word.(7)I know she thought I was crazy. Within the week, the poor woman moved out!