I've mentioned here before that the hero of my WIP is a chef.  He's recently purchased a restaurant and put everything he has into making it a success.  The irony of me writing a book about a chef is that I don't really cook.  I mean, I make things like baked chicken, spaghetti, and several things that come out of a box, but I don't think that really counts as cooking.  Spices are a mystery to me and though I know I like flavor, I don't know how to incorporate it into my meals.

 

So why would I be stupid enough to write about a chef?  Well, first off, he showed up in my head that way.  My characters show up pretty much with names and occupations intact and I don't have much say in the matter.  Secondly, I think chefs are hot.  Who needs a third reason when you have reason two?

 

I've read books and watched movies set in restaurants and I'm an avid Top Chef watcher.  But I know that isn't going to be enough to really write a busy restaurant kitchen scene and make it come to life.  My goal was to find some restaurant that would allow me to hover in a back corner out of the way and just observe.  And by some miracle, I'm actually going to meet that goal and then some.

 

Turns out, a friend of mine who also happens to be a writer (I know, big shocker!) has a nephew that owns a restaurant in Richmond.  She's willing to take me up there, introduce me to her nephew (who is about my age, single, and supposedly looks like Tom Cruise), and get me a seat in the corner of the kitchen.  Also by some miracle, this restaurant serves the exact kind of food I've already written into the story.  I mean, come on, this is too good to be true!

 

Have you ever created a situation in a book then realized you didn't know a thing about it?  How far have you gone for research?  How far would you go?  If you're a reader, what book took you to a place or taught you about an occupation or hobby and made you feel like you were right there doing everything with the characters?

 



 
 



Today is all about fun, relaxation, and girl time. Well almost…

I’m not so sure watching greyhounds race down a dirt track is the epitome of fun, but I’m not at work, and I have a drink in my hand.

By now, you are all probably wondering how this is related to writing- brace yourselves for the big reveal.

Today is not only a girl’s day out, but also research for my WIP. I’m planning a gambling scene in Picture This (tentative title). Today I am a sponge, all pertinent action, such as placing a bet, reaction of winners, and dirty little jokes told throughout the day will be filed away for future reference.

It doesn’t matter where you are during your free time, everything around you can be resourceful. I always carry a mini notebook and a pen at all times. I have recorded scenes at ballgames, church picnics, shopping malls, and even the grocery store. I think like a writer no matter what role I am currently playing in my life. Some of the funniest dialogue, and situations come from places you least expect.

Saturday night our family is attending the WWE Wrestlemania. It’s an early birthday present for my eight-year-old son. I am not a fan of wrestling, but have you ever suffered through anything for the sake of your child’s pleasure? I’m not planning a wrestling scene in my WIP, but part of the story takes place in redneck territory so I’m going armed with pen and notebook. I may get a lot of curious looks, and harassment from my son, but if life gives you a ring of wrestlers, wield a pen and record the action.

I won’t be around to comment today but I’ll catch up by late afternoon.

Cheers!

Have you ever planned a scene in your WIP around something you’ve witnessed at a social event? Have you ever used dialogue you’ve exchanged with a friend in your WIP?

Do you carry a notebook and pen wherever you go?

 

 

 

 

 

Pirates, please help me in welcoming Colleen Gleason to the ship! *hearty cheers*

Colleen, as if you didn't know, is a fellow pirate who traverses the salty seas, writing about vampires, if you can believe it. *superstitious routine done by crew members where they cross themselves in protection against vampires*

Captain Colleen has published three books in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles, and her newest release, The Bleeding Dusk, hits the shelves today! (She even has a rave review from J.R. Ward!): "Sophisticated, sexy, surprising. With its Regency graces and vampire lore, this book grabs you and holds you tight until the very last page!"



I love writing paranormal historicals.

One reason I like the historical setting is that it gives the heroine (and other characters) a different set of restrictions than they have in today’s world. It makes it more challenging for them—and for me.

Such as? Well, obviously, no cell phones, no texting, no Internet and email. Makes communication that much more difficult, and it makes it easier for things like swapping or taking on new identities. It also allows me to build in more tension because, again, it’s harder to get places, to contact people, to find out things.


And then there’s the whole fashion aspect. While, I admit, there are times when I wish I could put my Victoria Gardella Grantworth into some serious CFM boots, or a glittery cocktail dress, or Max into a leather duster, or Sebastian into some tight suede jeans…I also get to use the styles of dress at that time to my advantage.

It’s a lot harder for a young woman attending a Society ball to find a place to hide her stake than it was for Buffy, who just slipped it up her sleeve. I’ve had to get creative with my heroine and find ways for her to secret weapons on her person, and even to have to change in the carriage and need help from someone to unlace her corset! Fun, fun, fun.

Another reason I love writing historical paranormals is because I get to play with history. I get to take events that actually happened and give them a paranormal twist or otherworldly explanation.

For example, when I was researching the second book in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles, Rises the Night, I learned that John Polidori, the author of The Vampyre, died a somewhat mysterious death. There were differing explanations as to why/how he’d died. Well, heck, I thought...I’m certain it had to do with his exposing vampire secrets in his book The Vampyre, and they came after him for revenge.

And voila! I had a plot twist that I was able to build upon.

I also learned that secret societies like the Carbonari were very common in Italy at the time, and so I figured there had to be a secret society of vampire protectors that also existed—and thus I created The Tutela, which is just that: a society that protects and serves the undead, and appear in my books.

For my third Gardella book, I wanted to base part of the plot around something in Rome. I kept Googling things like “Rome 19th century legend” “Rome 18th century secret” “Rome myth” “Rome legend.” And while I got a lot of things about Remus and Romulus, I also found out about The Door of Alchemy (La Porta Alchemica), which is a real door that still exists today, and is described in my book The Bleeding Dusk.

In fact, because it was so fascinating, I used that door as the main focal point of the suspense plot in the book. And to think I found it quite by accident! That’s the beauty of writing paranormal historicals, and the fun stuff that research can uncover.

One more, then I’ll stop and take questions….when I was working on the fourth Gardella Vampire Chronicles book, When Twilight Burns (coming in August), I found out that during the time the book was set the former Prince Regent of England was crowned king, and that the coronation was a huge, elaborate, expensive affair…and that he refused to let his estranged wife, Queen Caroline, enter Westminster Abbey for the coronation.

I had to use that tidbit in my book, and I knew just how to build that paranormal aspect around it!

I want to thank Fran for having me and for dressing up the place so nicely—that Writer’s Angel is extremely inspiring.  I’d love to borrow him.

I’d love to take questions from anyone about the books, the series, the research process, etc.—so lay’em on me! Oh, and ARGH!!!

Hellion, again: Colleen is not only a kick-ass pirate, but she's a kick-ass pirate with booty! One lucky commenter will win one of Colleen's books--winner's choice. (Can't get any better booty than that.) So please stop and ask your most pressing questions about research, the series--and most importantly: is Sebastian a sort of Professor Snape character? And when do we get to see more of him?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve found people, men in particular, to be fascinating. While the love of the written word has been in my blood for as long as I can remember, the very nature of human nature never ceases to amaze me. And as a writer, I find my male characters, both hero and secondary, enthralling. And I wonder to myself – Just what are they thinking?