As a reader, I figured authors traveled all over the place to do exciting and exotic research. What fun! Uh…yeah…what I didn’t know a few years ago is that the vast majority of book research happens online or via email/phone convos.
BUT…every once in a while, I do trade in my PJ bottoms for real pants and venture forth into the wild world. A few weeks ago, on my way to Nancy Naigle’s house to write The Granny Series #2 (FIT TO BE TIED), I stopped in at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina to poke around and get some ideas for a new contemporary romance series I’m writing (expect the first book mid-2015).
And what fun! The Campbell Folk School teaches everything from bookmaking (the paper kind, not the gambling kind) to making antler baskets (yeah, that’s a new one to me too!) to blacksmithing. Basically, its purpose is to help preserve traditional Appalachian crafts.
One of the many workshop buildings at the folk school. This place was adorable and amazing!
I had lunch with some of the workshop attendees and just generally nosed around in their business. Then I hit the gift shop (all in the name of research, y’all) and agonized over all the gorgeous crafts for sale. I came away with an amazing pair of earrings.
But more than that, I came away with a brain picture of how one of my settings will work in the new series. I’m so excited to share it with y’all soon. But I can tell you this…expect more Texas-set books with yummy heroes and strong heroines!
—
Today is Aviation Day. And guess what? Last week was one of my nephew’s first time on a commercial flight (and he’s 29!). He also ziplined for the first time. Yeah, I kinda push people to get out of their comfort zones!
