Fact-finding

Research. Do you remember being a kid in grade school, "doomed" to write a report or complete a project? One that required--dare I say it aloud?--research? Oh, the horror! The humiliation! The agony of it all!

Research? Arrghh...while the other kids were outside playing?

I hated those dratted assignments, hated poking around for facts, figures, clues and clauses. I always wanted to be outside playing, too.

Thankfully, times have changed. Now I relish research, love digging beneath the surface and learning new things. Before I begin a book I usually have a--delightful!--chunk of hours devoted to research. They are a true pleasure now, an indulgence I relish. So different from hammering away at the keyboard, the research hours are almost like a mental beach stroll. I pick up, and examine, various seashells or bits of driftwood. Some I keep, thinking I'll use them somehow, somewhere, for something. Others, I toss. Who knows? Maybe someone else will see something in those bits I don't see.

Yes, research for a new book is like a bracing seaside stroll. When I'm done walking I'm ready to sit down and get to work. Now the research is the play; writing is the work. Yes, things really do change.

Today I'll begin researching a location for a new book. I've got most of the story plotted but it's taken a while to decide where to set it. Finally, I think I've got it. So, now...research. Between us, I'm looking forward to my hours poking about, learning new things and making them fit into the new story line.

Oh? Where will the story take place? Well, I'd been thinking of keeping it mum but since we're all good friends here I'll share.

Acapulco. I think my characters will have some fun in the sun.

Or maybe Bora Bora.

Or...well, who knows where my research will take us.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, wherever it leads you!