One of the Fun Parts of Writing
When you’ve lived with yourself for five decades, there are certain things you come to accept:
1) I don’t like cooked vegetables—I don’t have sensitive taste buds and eating is a texture thing for me … cooked veggies are really mushy.
2) I’m a terrible driver—I wouldn’t admit this in front of my kids and especially not to Mr. Nina, but it’s a fact and I’m learning to live with it (and avoid really busy roads).
3) Spontaneity went the way of my bikini. I plan or don’t bother.
4) I’m a risk taker—Though years ago this meant sky diving, snorkeling with barracudas and shooting rapids in an inner tube. But the most risky thing I do these days is not take my calcium and vitamin D and drive my electric wheelchair in high gear after two glasses of wine. Regardless, risk taking is still a part of who I am.
5) I’m a scientist—in every cell of my being, down to the last nucleus, there is a geeky scientist intent on doing research and learning everything she can about the world around her.
And it’s the last part that’s carrying me through this crazy world of writing novels. You see, when I was in high school and college, I was the kid everyone hated. When a research paper was assigned, I jumped in with both feet, happily spending hours at the library with periodicals and encyclopedias. (Remember those days?) I had my little index cards all color coded with quotes and factoids. I wrote until my hand was numb and usually turned that 5 page term paper assignment into a dozen pages of amazing prose.
Yeeeeeah, I screwed up the bell curve, but I couldn’t have been happier.
I know some of you are wondering what this has to do with novels and the answer is EVERYTHING. There isn’t a book I’ve written that didn’t require some kind of research on my part. Once it was to discover the chemical process of cat leukemia, which I based a deathly poison on. Then there was the time I went to the fire station to talk with the fire chief about all their equipment so I could write a vampire-firefighter. I’ve researched werewolf legends and faeries, even delved into the world of BDSM for a couple of my books. I love learning new things. Though I will confess sometimes research for one or two lines in a book can take me hooours.
My SHIFTING BONDS series from Ellora’s Cave is a paranormal erotic romance series with shifters that takes place in Montana. "Mating Bonds" is available FREE if you'd like to get a taste of these sexy wolf and cougar shifters. (Also available FREE through All Romance Ebooks.)
BLURB:
Danger threatens at every turn in Lonesome Forks. Just for one night Jayda, Zane and Cole want to put the politics of warring shifters aside and enjoy the carnal pleasures of their mated triad.
Tempted into shifting and lured deep into the Montana forest by pride leader, Zane Brodan, polymorphic shifter, Jayda Kynslan can’t resist her cougar mate’s primal seduction. And when wolf pack leader, Cole Takoda shows up to join the fun, what’s a gal to do, but give herself over to her animal urges and enjoy the sublime adventures and lustful temptations offered by both her mates.
Unfortunately, there are many who aren’t so receptive to their bonding.
EXCERPT:
Not this time, buddy.
Black eyes stared right through her as the hands around her throat tightened their hold. Jayda Kynslan refused to let fear cloud her instincts. Dropping to a low crouch and twisting her torso to the left in one fluid motion, she managed to weaken her attacker’s chokehold. Precious gulps of air whistled through her clenched teeth before he regained his grip around her neck, once again stealing her air. Bile rose in her throat and blackness crept along the edges of her vision.
No way in hell was she going down without a fight.
Adrenaline shot through her veins, heating her blood and stoking her fury. Instinct and training took over. Lifting her right arm, she brought it back down across the man’s forearm, catching him by surprise and ripping away his grip on her windpipe. A hard knuckle punch to his temple, followed by a ruthless knee to his groin and her attacker went down for the count.
The women sitting on the mat behind her erupted in thunderous applause.
Jayda turned and smiled in satisfaction, amusing them with a sweeping bow.
“And that, ladies, is how you stop a frontal assault.” The man behind her jumped to his feet, removing the protective gear around his head and hips. “Jayda executed the defensive moves perfectly.” Cole Takoda’s arm wrapped protectively around her shoulder, hugging her close. Lonesome Forks’ chief of police was a woman’s hottest fantasy come to life. His Native American heritage had given him chiseled facial features and the silken black ponytail, but it was Cole’s fitness regime that had sculpted the broad shoulders and lean muscle currently pressed against her side.
“Show off,” he whispered in Jayda’s ear before releasing her and turning those liquid blue eyes and killer smile back to the group. “Okay, now break into pairs and practice the sequence. Switch off being the attacker, and be careful not to hurt each other.”
She watched the strong lines of his back ripple and bunch beneath the snug black t-shirt as he grouped the women around the gym mat. The sweat pants hanging from his narrow hips moved like liquid night around his powerful thighs and the taut curve of his ass. Her heart beat a rapid tattoo against her ribs when she thought of those hard planes hot and naked on top of her, and those strong hands skimming over her flesh, making her writhe in ecstasy—not fear.
“Remember, drop, twist, elbow, punch, knee. Keep repeating the mantra as you practice the moves.” Cole turned back to her and she flushed that he’d caught her staring at his ass. Wiping a forearm across her brow, she hoped he would attribute her red cheeks to the workout and not her licentious thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~
So, what’s the most fascinating thing you’ve done, either in the name of research or just in general?
It was interesting to read about your research which is so important for your writing. I haven’t done anything fascinating for myself nor for reaearch. Exploring and travel is fascinating whether it is international or domestic, I enjoy it greatly.
I'm enjoying all these random facts about you. I like all kinds of vegetables especially broccoli, though I know many people who don't. As for the life of a writer I imagine research can make for some fun times. In school I liked color-coding and getting really organized with my notes as well =)
Anne – I LOVE traveling. I haven't been overseas, but it's definitely on my bucket list and I have no doubt the trip will be the impetus for a new story.
Na – LOL! I used to color code my notes too. (I didn't dare admit that <i>too</i> for fear of looking too much like a geek. Guess it's too late to worry about that now.