Research
The Joys of Research: The Tarpon Springs Epiphany Celebration
I know how lucky I am to make up stories for a living. Of course life for novelists isn’t staring into space with a cup of tea. Tearing out our hair, questioning our sanity, and wishing we had a job that didn’t hover over us during every waking hour–and many hours while we’re sleeping, too–is…
Read MoreA Perfect Day for Research in Tarpon Springs
Two weeks ago I told you about some of the research I did for my upcoming novel, A Family of Strangers. Last week Proman and I had the pleasure of doing some on-site research for my next book. I thought it would be fun to share some photos. The last time I was in Tarpon…
Read MoreThe Pleasures and Pitfalls of Research
Can novelists know too much about their subject, as well as too little? Last week I shared the three stages of research that I go through as I write my novels. Stage one: Broad research to determine whether an idea is workable. Stage two: Collection of facts needed to anchor my story in reality. Stage three:…
Read MoreNew Orleans At My Fingertips
I’m finishing my latest book, Night Magic, which will be my first original independently published novel. Those of you who read along with me know that I got the idea for writing Night Magic in the midst of readying my backlist novels, Lady of the Night, and Bayou Midnight, for distribution as ebooks. While editing…
Read MoreDo Readers Want Facts Or a Fabulous Story?
Before I explain today’s title, I’ll remind you that the subject of research has been on my mind in a big way this month, and in last week’s blog I addressed how and when I do it. I’ve been immersed in the final rounds of research for The Swallow’s Nest, and thinking a lot about…
Read MoreResearching a Novel: Accurate But Vague
I’ve spent the past week diligently researching a novel. Not just any novel, but The Swallow’s Nest, my work in progress which is now entering the home stretch. It may seem odd to you that in the home stretch of my novel, I’m still doing research. You might ask yourself why, um. . . is she finally getting around to it now?…
Read MoreThe Top 25 Weirdest Laws in the U.S.
Source: Top-Criminal-Justice-Schools.net I first saw this infographic on Lee Lofland’s The Graveyard Shift, a terrific blog for anyone interested in police work or in writing about it. I met Lee at a Writer’s Police Academy event in Ohio some years ago when I was working on my Ministry is Murder series. Since that time he’s moved the…
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