The Various Journeys of Research

Embarking on a career as a romance fiction novelist, one of the first things I learned I had to do well was research. Whether it be the time, or the place, or both, when my book takes place, what my characters do for a living, I better know my facts. Even when I'm making up my own alternate worlds or history, there have to be "facts" about whatever that world is.

Back in my early days of writing, there was no internet, so just about all of my research was dependent on paper books - libraries and bookstores were frequent haunts. I amassed quite a collection of books about the times I wrote in, the clothing and cuisine of various cultures and eras, and covering a wide array of other subjects pertinent to whatever period I found myself writing in.  I remember the days when we first moved in the house, had no kids (other than my dearly departed - and still missed - Beezer, a black cat w/six toes on her front feet who liked to sit in my lap as I wrote), and what is now my son's bedroom was my office. I had two desks - one with the word processor/computer, the other covered with a ton of books opened and flagged, highlighted and dog-eared so I could refer back to the facts as needed. Wow. Haven't thought about those days in a really long time - have to say, I think I like the little corner in the far end of the basement I have now even better. lol

The advent of the internet changed a lot of things for me. Suddenly, I could find the books I needed online and bought as many as I could, cutting down on time spent in bookstores. And libraries – I no longer had to renew a book for months on end – I now had my very own copy! I'd spend hours immersed in those books, looking for the right detail to include to propel the plot.

A few years later, the internet offered still more – papers and articles and blog posts started appearing and, suddenly, I could find just about anything I needed online. I bookmarked tons of pages, saved a million more, and even printed many of them so I could have the info on hand without having to go back out to the web while writing.

I learned how to use certain terms in my searches for info, so I could pinpoint just what I needed, and in the process, discovered some amazing sites. Sites that held me enthralled with the information they covered. And herein lay the problem –  it's fairly simple to get caught up reading about something, but on the internet, it's so much easier to get lost in the search for details. Read one article and there's usually a link to somewhere else with still more info, maybe even a link to something never seen or heard of before during all the other research sessions.And another link, and another, and yeah, you see what I mean, right?

A great many of my research hunts went (and still go) something like this:

"Did people do this then? Insert various years and cultures. There, that's the one. Click. OK, not quite what I needed, but wait, that's pretty cool, wonder how to make that fit into the WIP. What's this? Another link? Hmm, wonder what that means. Click. Oooooh, yes, that looks like just what I was looking for. Click. Never heard of THAT before, but it sure would fit perfectly into that other scene. Click. Who knew? Another factoid that will come in handy. Click. Click. Click. Etc., etc., etc. Wait, how did THREE HOURS pass by so fast?"

Yeah, it's so obvious I love the research aspect of writing, and I suspect just about every author does, no matter what they write, but dang, it takes little to no effort to get lost on a never-ending journey, and while it's a journey that teaches so much, the downside is losing writing time. There are a few things I learned from this after really being annoyed that I could have whipped out several pages to a chapter, or even more, instead of searching for minutiae about my setting.

First, whatever series I am working on, I need to figure out when and where the story takes place. Then I do a quick rundown of the sites and/or books that will provide me the most details about what I need to make each scene realistic, and read through those sites/books in the very beginning stages of the novel. One thing I learned - every two or three websites with the info I needed simply reinforced facts I'd dug up long ago in my personal hard-copy library. I'll give the internet points for being a bit faster.

The other thing I've chosen to do in many of my books is to use more detail in some scenes than in others. There are a few reasons I do this. One is that, as a reader, I actually like to fill in some of the details myself, when it comes to certain story aspects. The other is that too much detail can drown out important interactions between the characters. No doubt using details specific to the time and place make the story come alive. Lord knows I have lists (in spreadsheet form, natch! :D ) of some of the most fascinating factoids I will always be searching for a way to include in a book. Still, it's the characters who drive the book for me, and that is almost always my main focus when writing, even when there's a lot of action in various scenes.

I have to admit, finding obscure nuggets of info that I can and have turned into gems of a plot point are the most rewarding results of a research journey. For instance, when I stumbled across the official proclamations made at the execution of the Welsh prince, Dafydd, I knew I had to include it in Warrior's Possession in an attempt to make the history come alive. The execution scene is one that has always been part of the book, but now, to me, it had even more impact, giving a bit of insight into Edward I and the thoughts of many of the nobility (and even the entire population) of the time.

But I must be careful when exploring - I suspect a good portion of authors can attest to greeting the sun when it rises after spending hours seeking out tidbits that enhance and propel their story. The allure of discovering the fascinating trivia of a time or place that contributes to our world-building is as alluring as putting that world into words.

Knowing I'm not the most disciplined person in the world has led me to put some self-imposed requirements on my research. For instance, there's now a set time-limit for jaunts, especially if they happen to coincide with writing time. Honestly, sometimes, you just have to go find some logical item/factoid to keep the scene going. I either cut myself off after a set time (usually 10 minutes max), or limit myself to when I find that one detail needed at that specific moment (if it happens to be found before the time limit max). And even if there is no logical reason to include those other details, they will come in handy someday. You know I have notes to go back and dig deeper through for even more stories. ;) 

On another note, Warrior's Possession is available through most online distributors - now including NOOK at Barnes & Noble! Here's where you can get your hand on this scorching erotic romance that's so hot, it just might fry your Kindle  (or Nook)!

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warriors-possession-gianna-simone/1122431121

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Warriors-Possession-Gianna-Simone-ebook/dp/B00ZS51HJ0 

All Romance ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-warrior039spossession-1840827-354.html

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/558296

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/warriors-possession/id1024730697?mt=11

Also available in print: http://www.pinkflamingo.com/products/Warrior%27s-Possession.html

 

 

How Music Motivates Me

Settle in and have your drink of choice at hand – this is going to be a long one. 

Way back in my very early days on Twitter, I was known to tweet lots of song lyrics, particularly on Fridays. Long story made short, I hope – Friday has always been my "unwind" night, at least for the last almost 30 years. My routine, so to speak, and it always involved cranking up my music – however it was being played. Part of the reason my kids are such sound sleepers is that they learned very early on how to tune out Mommy's music. Anyway, I moved out of my parents' house right around the time CD's became the popular choice for playing music, and landing a job at Sony helped me get my hands on a gorgeous rack system stereo. Which for the time, was top of the line, and even with my windows closed, the entire neighborhood could hear my music as if they were standing inside with me.

I've always been a music lover and I have a wide range of favorites, from the early days of rock to a lot of the music being put out today. I have my favorite types that I prefer to listen to more than others – classic rock, southern rock, punk/new wave, and yes, the dreaded Disco. Sorry, my formative years spanned the 70's and the 80's. Say what you will, every era had their crap and their classic gems.

One of the biggest effects my love of music has had is to inspire me to strive to capture the emotion in a way that often has less than 200 words. I've always been amazed at songwriters who can convey a whole array of emotions in such a few words, or drive home an extreme feeling with only a line or two.

Bruce Springsteen, to me, is THE one for me who tugs at my heart with just a simple turn of phrase. I can't even begin to think of how many emotions that man has stirred in me as I listen to his songs. Of course, the classics – Thunder Road, Jungleland, EVERYTHING on Darkness, Point Blank, No Surrender, Tunnel of Love, Human Touch – okay, you get the point, and I could go on for hours listing all the songs that hit all the sweet spots in my musical nirvana. Don't get me started on his newer stuff – I wish I could inject it! lol

Anyway, as I was starting to say before, many many songs I love give me the inspiration for my books. Or at least the emotional impact I strive to hit between the characters. Sometimes it's passion, sometimes it's anger, sometimes it's hurt. Sometimes it's a just-let-it-go feeling. I don't have a specific playlist I listen to when I write – I keep the ipod (long way from those "cutting edge" CDs!) on shuffle and just let it flow. I'm doing it now. And wouldn't you know, Bruce is on – I'm on Fire, in case you're wondering.

In lots of cases, the song I'm listening to has absolutely nothing to do with my WIP, the characters or the scene. They're just songs that hit my inner happy place and keep my creative juices flowing. For instance, Bruce just changed to Johnny Nash's I Can See Clearly Now. ;)

Anyway, I digress and ramble, as always. If you've done any reading of this blog, you're surely familiar with that by now! lol What I wanted to do is share a few lines that hit my gut in various ways every time I hear them. Check them out – do any get to you in a visceral way like they do me? After you read through, share your own favorite songs/lyrics that touch you in ways you simply can't explain, or maybe you can. I have a free copy of Warrior's Possession for a random commenter, so don't be shy!

So, here's my first list – and I guarantee, I can come up with at least five or six more! ;)

I give you everything I own, mind, body and soul

Skin and Bones

The Hazies

It's kind of an obscure song, but this is what I strive to make every one of my main pairings feel for each other, no matter what their ulterior and possibly nefarious motives might be when they first encounter each other. And chances are, they don't recognize that feeling for quite some time, even if it bites them on the ass in the moments after the first meet.

This love is killing me but you're the only one

It's Not Over

Daughtry

This is a tough one to explain. This affects both hero and heroine. Chances are the heroes have un-heroic motives toward the heroine, at least at first, and when this realization kicks in, it's driven by guilt for those un-heroic actions. Kills him that he claimed her the way he did, but he still won't have done it any other way, as long as he gets to keep her.

As for the heroine, she's sharp enough to realize her hero has reasons for being a dick, but she sees the hero in him, and knows he's the only one who can share this passion with her, even if she thinks a future for them is impossible because he's a stubborn idiot! lol

So tonight I'll ask the stars above:
How did I ever win your love?
What did I do; What did I say
To turn your angel eyes my way?

Angel Eyes

Jeff Beck

Many of my heroes ask this type of question of themselves several times. Chances are, they didn't treat their heroine very well to start off, yet somehow, she recognizes the man he truly is. Takes a few hits upside the head (so to speak) with the cast-iron frying pan to make him get it. :D

Just for this moment

As long as you're mine

Come be who you want to be and see how bright we shine

As Long as You're Mine

Wicked Soundtrack

I can't really explain exactly how this one fits, other than it draws on many emotions during the sexual encounters between my characters. Just for that moment, nothing else matters except the connection being made on both a physical and emotional level. They'll deal with the fallout when they have to, they just need to share their connection in the deepest of ways at that particular moment.

Here's some more:

And giving yourself to me can never be wrong if the love is true

Let's Get It On

Marvin Gaye

This is one of my all-time favorite songs ever, for a ton of reasons. The way Marvin used his voice to convey need and desire sends shivers along my spine.

Honey, I need a lovin' tender touch
Just move your body close to mine
Make everything alright

Runnin' Through the Fire

Beaver Brown Band otherwise known as Eddie and the Cruisers

That is just a seriously hot set of lyrics. ;) And since I picture Michael Pare as Eddie whenever I hear it is a cherry on top!

Breathe out, so I can breathe you in

Hold you in

Everlong

Foo Fighters

Another seriously hot song – and it hits so many notes on my scale of true love and passion, not sure I can explain it. Then again, maybe it needs no explanation.

Nobody ever gonna love you the way that I love you
And I never want to see you doin' without

No Alibis

Eric Clapton

One of the greatest guitarists of all time. DH and I often debate who comes close to being on his level. This line is again tied to my heroes – chances are he is going to explain his actions in such a pathetically poor way, it will take until the end of the book before the heroine will understand. But he does it only because he loves her. Bottom line, The End.

Oh, you've got to love her, tease her
But most of all you've gotta please her

Treat Her Like a Lady

Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose

These lines set off sparks for me because they speak to the physical relationship between my characters. If you've read any of my books, you know just how my heroes like to tease their heroines before ultimately pleasing them. Which they do in spades! ;)

I feel my temperature rising
Help me, I'm flaming
I must be a hundred and nine
Burning, burning, burning
And nothing can cool me

Burnin' Love

Elvis Presley

Yeah, say what you will about the hunka hunka lyrics and the man himself (yeah, he was messed up, but damn he was smoking hot, even in his last days), these lyrics are what every one of my heroes is feeling as he's making love to his heroine.

Okay, I'm wrapping it up now, I promise, and if you've made it this far into my ramble, I give you a lot of credit! lol Seriously, though, tell me what songs/lyrics touch you – no matter how and you could win yourself a copy of Warrior's Possession!