Wanderings (aka Author Research) – Kelsey Browning

Wanderings (aka Author Research)

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.

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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!

 

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