When I first began publishing my stories I readily admitted that I didn’t do research. I was almost proud of it. I wrote about what I knew and made up the rest. You can do that in fiction. I think I associated research with school, and I hated school with a passion! Plus, back in my day any research I had to do meant spending hours in the library, and involved a thick, heavy encyclopedia. Anyone recall what those are?
Now, with easy internet access to anything I want to know about it doesn’t seem like research. I find that it’s actually fun learning something new, and wow, all of a sudden I feel…intelligent! If only it had been that easy in school. Maybe I would have liked it more.
Well, I held off doing any real research as long as I could, but I can no longer say, I don’t do it. Once again I have to eat my words. Yesterday I did research, and today I was able to write the first chapter of an erotic biker romance. It’s not just about how to ride a hog, it’s about the culture and history, and using the right language.
I’m also lucky in that one of my oldest, dearest friends used to be a biker chick. She’s enlightened me on a few things, and will be a great source of information when it comes to her personal experiences. Of course I’ll change her name to protect the innocent.
As eager as I am to continue with my new story, I need to get back to finishing up Lovers, book 5 in my Serve and Submit Series. It’s due out in July. But you know how it is when you get an idea in your head. You just have to go with it.