Research and Musing

I ordered a new book to use for research today, and I thought I’d ask the other Muses- What do you find most helpful when researching?

I’m one of those “write what you know” people, but “what I know” isn’t necessarily what I have lived. Many times a bit of knowledge from a class I took, or a book I read will be lodged in my brain and will present itself while I am writing.

I don’t usually say, Okay I want to write about X and then go purchase ten books on X, because what if I don’t like X after all? If I need a word or need technical knowledge of something, then I dig for information on it.

I had three majors and a minor in college, so I, needless to say, am a reader in many subjects (and languages!). I always thought I’d do well on Jeopardy, since I am filled with tons of useless knowledge that way!

My current research is still in the form of books that I read for joy or curiosity. If the information proves useful later, great- if not, I gained insight into a topic I was curious about.

I love history books, police research books, forensics texts, and the Worst Case Scenario series. My shelf is also filled with dictionaries: English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Polish, cowboy (yes, cowboy), and slang dictionaries from various periods.

Sometimes just the right word is the trick.

And I do love words.

Howdy!

Hello everyone! Between being sick and on vacation, and struggling with a deadline, I haven't been able to post much. I'm so sorry I missed RT, but it sounds like such a blast! I wish I'd been there...sigh.

Anyway, my news: I had a e-book release this week! WOO HOO! It's my scorching hot contemporary Hawaii story, 10 Days in Paradise. It's gotten some great reviews, including 4 stars and an "O" rating from Just Erotic Romance Reviews. Mahaira said,
"Their love scenes have the passionate quality of an erupting volcano that can singe fingertips and set the computer screen ablaze." and "The issues between the lead pair and their resolution turn 10 Days in Paradise into a wonderful but deep read with the backdrop of the beautiful and romantic island. You go, Ms. Halliday!" Isn't that cool?

Now I need to go off and try to get over this cold...and try to think of some other stories. Oh...and I am SO going to get to RT in Orlando next year!

One last thing--I'm holding a contest over on my website. Come enter and you could win a $10 gift certificate for Samhain and a copy of my first print book, the Sins of Summer anthology.

http://www.dawnhalliday.com

SOLD!

I'm so excited! My romantic suspense novel, ROMANCING THE STONES, just sold to Samhain Publishing!

This book was inspired by a legendary black dog that roams the streets of Richmond, Virginia. No one can catch him, and no one knows where he came from or where he goes. He just...is.

The black dog in my novel appears when the heroine, Charlie Blair, most needs him, or when paranormal events are at hand.
You see, she has found a golden...er... rod on an archeological dig in Peru, but the find has disappeared. Instead she's left with a handful of Ica Stones that it seems someone is willing to kill to possess, and a police detective on the trail of a serial killer.

Oh, and did I mention that she's naked, in the shower, and holding a Glock on him when they first meet?

The novel should be out this fall, and I can't wait for you to read it!