The Roads of Research

There's a part of me that never wants to stop attending school of some sort. I don't necessarily like the structure of school or the inflexibility, and anyone who knows me knows that I didn't always focus on the learning part of school when I was in it so much as the grade. But I like the idea of never stopping actively learning.

Writing has given me some strange knowledge that I never expected to learn. In the course of the Madison novels I've worked on, I've researched assorted animals, some real, some imaginary, some long extinct, most exotic. I've taken notes at veterinary hospitals (and, oddly, been far too prophetic about what would happen to a few animals in my life, which has made me leery about writing bad things about animals). I've learned police lingo, as well as that of World of Warcraft fans.

Most recently, I'm going to have to figure out the abilities of cell phones. Unlike 99% of the population of America, I don't have a cell phone and neither does Cody. So I don't know how to change ringtones, if it costs money, and if you can send pictures to email addresses. These are things that Madison would know, though.

I did have a weird moment yesterday when I realized I needed to do some research on knives and I thought that I would just pop on down the road to a store called Accessories and More. Only, that's the name of a store in my novel that would sell knives, and no such store really exists. Yet there was that moment when I envisioned myself walking down the store aisles and talking with the men behind the counter who are far more knowledgeable about knives than either Madison or I ever will be. It was a bit surreal for a moment. And then a bit of a let-down when I realized the research wasn't going to be that easy.

Madison Time!

Yesterday and today have been devoted to Madison, and I've loved it. After the incredibly busy June month in which I worked on Madison a whopping two times, I've really enjoyed these days of focusing on my passion! I'm still editing book one, but today I reached a part where I've got to write a couple of new scenes—scenes that I've been looking forward to since I realized they were missing. I'll most likely write those tomorrow. I thought I'd get to them today, but I've been editing by hand (mainly so I can leave the house—I don't have a laptop, so computer mobility is out of the question), and I haven't wanted to pause to implement anything. Now it seems important to do before I continue on writing, mainly because I think it'll save a boatload of confusion (and time) later on.

I got in about three hours of work today in between all those other things that were also put on the back burner (like cleaning the bathrooms). I'm looking forward to getting more done tomorrow. I thought I might get another chapter entered into the computer tonight, but after my afternoon exercise and then scrubbing the tub for a half hour, I'm done for the day.

No Question, Only a Comment

Normally I'd answer the question posed at Number One Novels today, but there's no question, and for a very good reason. Today, debut author Kandy Shepherd will be frequenting the blog to answer questions posed to her. It's the best day of the week to drop by and enter the contest.

I don't think Shepherd will have free time the rest of this week to come back, considering her book launches on Tuesday, so grab the chance while you can!

Restless Night Keepers

I just finished new-to-me author Jessica Andersen's novel Night Keepers, the first in The Final Prophecy series about a race of people whose sole purpose is to save the world from demonic destruction come December 21, 2012.

Given my strange fascination with the prophesied apocalypse, my flirtation with history, and my love of paranormal romances, this book had a lot of compelling elements to it. And I could spend a blog praising the author's devotion to hot male leads (and female, if you're into that), good solid writing, amazing depth of research, etc., but my final impression is this: it made me restless.

More accurately, I'm not sure if I was simply restless when I read this novel or if its rhythm and pace made me restless. I've got book two on my shelves, but I'm going to take a break between these two to determine if it's Andersen's writing or me.

I might have chalked it totally up to me, except for the fact that there were too many times when I was reading the novel when I was irritated by the shift in character focus. This is not a novel that focuses on the two main characters and their quest and troubles in finding love. Night Keepers bounces between a cast of characters, delving to inconsistent depths in their lives before flitting off to the next character. Obviously, as the first in a series, Andersen needed to build the world, and given the circumstances, bring together a host of characters for some pretty amazing battles. I found myself often wanting a little more depth or time with the main characters, and either a consistent less or more depth with the secondary characters.

I felt scattered at the end of this novel, but I don't feel like writing this book or this author off (as I was tempted with Benson). I think knowing a little more what I'm getting into, I'll wait on the sequel until I'm ready for a large-cast, more plot-focused novel.

Heroic Dreams

Jessica Andersen's magic- and warrior-filled novel must be wearing off on me, because I've had some spectacular dreams lately. The best was one in which I was interviewing before a panel of department heads at a local college for a position in their graduate program to write my next novel and simultaneously obtain my graduate degree in creative writing. In the dream, I argued incredibly eloquently (far more so than the two other interviewees who where there at the same time), but it was my incredible skill against the demons that really made me shine.

Yes, you read that right. Demons attacked the campus, and using some pretty spectacular magic, I burned a circle through the wall, much like you'd cut a window with a diamond blade, so that it fell away to reveal the outside world. We were on the top floor of a very tall building, now looking out over a city not unlike New York. The demons were huge, somewhat like the Transformers in non-car form, but fleshed and winged and flying. And I took each of them out while my companion interviewees ineffectually threw magical grenades that fell to the ground and hit nothing.

I totally landed that graduate position!

One Week

That's how long I lasted: one week. One week of no book purchases, and then Borders put out their first-ever 50% off coupon for the latest Charlaine Harris novel. I couldn't pass up a deal like that, could I?

Yes, yes I could. But only after letting Cody know that it wouldn't be breaking my self-imposed rule if he purchased it for me. And then forwarding him the email with the coupon. And then threatening (email) tears if he didn't buy it for me.

Which prompted Cody to ask me why I decided upon this book-buying limitation in the first place. Honestly? ... I couldn't remember! Something noble. Something about not needing any more books. Something about how I had plenty to read.

Still, a goal is a goal. So with Cody having purchased this one book (at this incredible deal—TikiBird, you were so right about being lured in by the next coupon!), I'm back on track. Cody fears that come the end of September I'm going to crack and buy so many books they'll be piled to the ceilings, taking up all the floorspace in the house except for tiny pathways that allow us to get from room to room.

One can only hope.

Sidecar Dreams Updated

Shaida recently left this link in the comments to Sidecar Muse. Following the link, I found this delightful sidecar:

The Laverda sidecar has now become my ideal sidecar, from which I could view the passing scenery, write the latest Madison novel, and be comfortable. Added plus, Cody would still get to ride a motorcycle, feel the bugs impact his helmet (I'd make him get a full-face helmet), and savor the wind against his head-to-toe leather outfit (again, if he's going to be exposed to possible road rash, he's going to be geared in the most protective clothing I can find).

Cody's seat.

My new "office."

I think that I'd write some pretty crazy stuff strapped into this vehicle! Now to convince Cody that we need it and figure out how to get one to the US.