Book Research
Remember back in school when the teacher announced that a research paper would be due in two weeks? I can still hear the moans and groans pouring across the room. Maybe we were looking at it wrong. Research does not need to be boring. It has everything to do with the subject, interest level and how the research is approached.
As a writer, I need to do research to make sure events, laws, and processes are as accurate as possible in my books. Sometimes research involves calling knowledgeable people or better yet, experiencing an event for yourself. That’s what I’ve been doing.
There are plans in the near future to write a cozy mystery which involves shooting a gun. As a child, I had learned to shoot a 22 rifle, but never a hand gun. So, I learned. There are gun safety classes and shooting ranges that give a wide array of learning. This is fun research. Now I know the difference between a 38 Special, 357 magnum, 45, and 9 mm. I know how it feels when the gun goes off, the noises and smells. There’s a burst of flame emitted from the gun (hence the name: firearm) that is spectacular during night tactical practice.
Gail Gaymer Martin mentioned this year in a class that she plans to take a hot air balloon ride to experience the event before having her heroine climb aboard. I find this fascinating….although you won’t find me climbing into one of those contraptions.
Research can be fun. Try it sometime. 
Hugs,
Beth