Aphrodisia Authors :: Blog

So, one of my upcoming characters is going to be a travel journalist. Someone who travels the world and writes interesting and entertaining stories about where he or she has been. Sometimes this is about something the Average Joe or Jane could try and sometimes it’s something no one would ever want to try if they had a choice in the matter.

To get ready to tackle this hero, I interviewed a couple of travel writers: Tim Cahill and Rolf Potts (both pictured above). I met Rolf at one of my scholarly conferences in 2009, and ended up helping him with a story he was writing, and then I hit him up when I needed help writing this character. He suggested I talk to Tim, who happened to be doing an event in my town just then, and poof! A second interview with a second travel writer. I’m having a great time comparing and contrasting their answers to my questions. Even when there are differences, there are similarities, so I’m getting a great feel for the kind of personality that would be a life-long vagabond.

This is going to a be a reeeeeeally interesting character. I’m loving it! Note that this character is actually a shape-shifting panther and Latino, with dark hair, eyes, and skin, so he doesn’t look a thing like either of my travel real-life travel writers, but that’s probably for the best since I want an even mix of both Rolf and Tim in the hero. (If you haven’t guessed yet, this hero is going to be in ON THE PROWL II)

Also, I’ve totally gotten hooked on reading travel writing stories. I’ve blown through Rolf and Tim’s books (and loved them!), moved on to Bill Bryson and Pico Iyer, and…well…I see a few exotic settings coming up in my future books. This is just too much fun!

And by “classics” I’m not talking about Dickens or Hemingway. Not that there’s anything wrong with Dickens or Hemingway, but I’m going for classics in my genre. Romance classics. Even more specifically, I’m not even talking about classic bodice rippers or Old Skool Romance. I’m talking about the romance novels that made me love romance like a fat kid loves cake (note: as a fat kid, I can vouch for the fact that this is a whole lot of love.)

I mentioned last month that I took a much-needed break from writing. In that time I dug out all my old favorites and tried to rejuvenate my writing-love by reminding myself of the books that made me want to write in the first place. I do this occasionally, but not usually for a month solid. I haven’t jumped around the map much this time, I ended up veggies out on all my Linda Howards.

Man, can she write an alpha male. Sometimes a little too alpha for my taste, but always deliciously alpha.

She also writes a pretty wicked suspense, which is good because my next book is both suspense and has an alpha hero, so hey, bonus. Research/inspiration and rejuvenation.

Can’t complain about that.

My current work in progress for Aphrodisia is a lovely little piece with alien shape-shifters who come to Earth and are very, very naughty. As well as a bit haughty, but love makes even the most high an mighty tip off their little pedestal, so never fear!

To get in the mood, I’ve been watching a ton of sci-fi movies and I thought I’d share some of the ones I’ve gone through recently. Note that these are not necessarily my favorites of all time, just the ones from this week or two.

Oh, yeah, I went and watch the new Star Trek. I’m a Next Generation girl myself, but I’ve seen all the movies, regardless of which cast they were using. I liked it! Chris Pine’s redo of Kirk was very interesting; plus, eye candy! Hello!

Another remake. Not sure if I liked it better or worse than the original. I do love Charlton Heston, but the updated special effects and costumes were pretty awesome.

Fave. Oh, yeah. This one is on the list because I watch it for more than just sci-fi inspiration. I love Firefly and the spin off movie Serenity. More the show than the movie, to be honest, but I own them both on DVD and love, love, loooove them.

Battlestar Galatica. I loved it, I hated it. Or parts of it. They went places I thought they wouldn’t or shouldn’t go, and yet I still liked it. Who knew?

Crystal Jordan
http://www.crystaljordan.com

“Naughty or Nice” in UNDER THE COVERS- Sept 09
UNTAMED – Nov 09

Upfront I’ll confess, My name is Megan Kerans and I’m a research nerd. I love discovering new knowledge almost as much as figuring out how to use the information to make my stories better and more realistic.

Almost all authors I know usually do research for their stories. For contemporary writers it might be a city or career field. Those who pen historicals might look up the dress of a specific time period or how a knight’s armor was created.

I love it all. Give me a stack of books on an interesting subject and I’m as happy as a clam reading away. But there are some things, no matter how much you read, you simply have to do to understand. One of those is swordplay. Errol Flynn & Basil Rathbone’s famous duel in Captain Blood.

Growing up watching Errol Flynn’s Adventures of Robin Hood, Star Wars, and having ancestors who were actual Musketeers I’ve always had a fascination with fencing. So much so, I took a class in college. I didn’t have a very good teacher (really poor to be honest), but I did love it.

Ten years later I found myself a writer who had more and more sword scenes in her stories. They’re always great fun to watch, but the problem was, how to take something so inherently visual and put it into words to create a picture that excited a reader.

It’s tough. Over six months I read books on the subject, searched the Internet, and repeatedly mentioned I wanted to take up fencing again. I, of major back problems, wasn’t certain I could do it with my lengthy, lengthy list sports I had to give up or only consider ever doing if I became a masochist.

Over Memorial Weekend, on a whim, I decided to check our local school district’s summer adult education courses. For the first I can remember fencing was listed, an eight week class. I jumped up from the computer, grabbed my Visa and signed up. (Strictly to improve my understanding of the movements for writing. At least, that’s what I told my husband.)

Early 20th century French postcard.

Six months, dozen of hours of practice and three swords later, fencing has become I love of mine for itself. What other sport contains elegant violence that requires as much brains and physical skill?

Fencing also just happens to come with multiple benefits Not only do I great workout (muscles you never knew you had,) I’m able to write fight scenes much clearer and quicker. It’s also led me to new avenues of research, such as duels of honor, which even inspired me to put together a workshop on the topic and how writers can use craft techniques & elements to improve the edged weapon scenes in their stories.

So my question is:

Authors, what is the most bizarre or unique subject you’ve ever researched for a story?

Readers, is there a topic you’ve ever been sparked to investigate after reading a book and what was it?