I have no idea what I'm doing?! Any tips/advice?

[g.force]

I don't even know where to begin in asking a question...I think I have a great idea for a story, but I think it's probably a bit beyond my experience and so any advice I can get would be great.

When I lived in Fairbanks AK, there was a woman who up and disappeared from her home in Nov. '98 just before Thanksgiving and has not ever been seen again.  Her car also disappeared...it's a very strange story that never got solved and I want to write about it.  The problem is that I will have to do a lot of research and probably some interviews of her family and friends since there is NO information other than very short newspaper articles written back in '98 and early '99 and an occasional follow-up (on the one year and ten year anniversary of her disappearance).  Through internet research I have found a sister of the woman and amazingly my best freiend from Fbx ended up marrying a guy who knows the husband so I have an indirect source there which might help me get an interview, but how is the best way to go about doing this?  I want to make sure I am respectful of feelings since I am sure this is a very sensitive issue for all involved.  I have written to the AK State Troopers to get any info that can be released, I have talked to the husband of my friend who helped organize the search party only through Facebook, but I have his permission to continue that cvonversation via phone at any time.  I also have the address for the sister.

I guess I'm asking for advice on how to approach this.  What should my approach be considering the sensitve nature of the subject?  

I would love any thoughts on this and of course am willing to provide more details (if I have them) if needed!

Thank you thank you thank you for any help/support!

[caljones]

is this going to be fiction or non fiction? i suppose the nest way for you to go about this is to ask if it wold be okay if you asked a few questions about her for a book, or story or whatever you're doing. if not, just try to get as much info as possible and make stuff up the rest of the way.

[g.force]

I was thinking of trying to write the true story, but if I can't get enough info I may have to go the fiction route.  Thanks for your thoughts.  I am thinking along the same lines, just wanted some reassurance! 

Quoting caljones:

is this going to be fiction or non fiction? i suppose the nest way for you to go about this is to ask if it wold be okay if you asked a few questions about her for a book, or story or whatever you're doing. if not, just try to get as much info as possible and make stuff up the rest of the way.