The Joys of Research

We’re writers, which makes everything our business! That’s because writing is only part of the fun. Research is a wonderful perk that goes right along with it.

So what do we research? Anything and everything that we might ever write about. Of course our focus tends to be on what we’re writing now.

For one thing, I have lots of fun with locations, when I can. I set my upcoming (sometime) Silhouette Nocturne on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, which isn’t far from some property we own in Glen Burnie. It’s a kick researching the area. Not to mention werewolves. I’m considering a sequel that could take place in Alaska, which is also a great place to visit. And then there’s L.A. I live here, and it’s a great place to write about... so I do.

With me, in case you haven’t guessed, a lot of research is about animals... or, sometimes, quasi-animals. Unless, of course, you happen to believe that shapeshifters are real. I haven’t run across a real one in my research, but I’m keeping an open mind.

I’ve been plotting the seventh Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery. Each of the stories has featured different kinds of pets--dogs and cats, of course, and also ferrets, macaws, iguanas and even ball pythons.

So what’s next? Well, I’m relatively certain it’s potbellied pigs. One has already appeared in several of the Kendra books, but I’ve got an idea of how to focus on more piggies in a unique kind of way. And that gives me latitude to conduct some fun research.

I’ve been in contact with a really delightful local lady who both owns and rescues pigs, and I got to visit her home recently. I adored her household! And so far, it appears that pigs are every bit as intelligent as I’ve read, so I think I can use them the way I’d hoped in this upcoming story.

How? Well, I know I’m being cryptic, but I don’t want to give anything away. And if I say too much, it could spoil one of the subplots of Double Dog Dare, the sixth Kendra story, which will be available in June 2008. And that means that Kendra #7--and I’m still thinking about its working title--won’t be out until sometime in 2009. So, for now, I’m just hoping to pique your curiosity with my potbellied pig references. Could things change? Sure. That’s part of the fun of creating.

Meantime, I’ll continue to have fun with my research.

Stay tuned, pig lovers!

--Linda