Sometimes I get asked…What’s the coolest thing about being a writer? You’d think the answer would be getting published or seeing your name on the cover of a book.
Not going to lie, that some pretty cool stuff.
But what really gets me going is RESEARCH. You learn the most fascinating things that you never knew you wanted to know. Writing is like that – the need to seek out those little bites of intel that give your stories authenticity.
Like today, for example. I’m currently writing book 4 in my Jewel Intrigue series. The hero in BLACK SAPPHIRE is a marine biologist. Naturally, he’s got to find a body in the waters off the Florida Keys. For the record – I’ve been a certified diver and I’m familiar with the underwater world. But what exactly does one do in this situation? I race off to the internet to find out and stumble across this.
The life of an Underwater Crime Scene Investigator.
Wow. I had no idea! The incredible things you learn in order to write a paragraph or two of realistic action! I seriously lost track of time and got swept up in the possibilities. There’s a ton of info out there and I spent a couple of hours exploring that fascinating world.
But the coolest thing of all? I get to add another piece of intriguing trivia to my well of knowledge. One that I hope I never need to use!
Except in writing, of course.
Monica McCabe 