Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Research Day

What a wonderful and interesting day I've had. A good family friend came by for lunch and helped me work through some detail/research issues on my ms Harlequin Senior Editor Wanda Ottewell has (a partial) on her desk. We've known Richard for several years and he's a complete cutie-patootie. He's also our local District Attorney for two counties and full of interesting details. My secondary character in Kiss Me Cowboy is Nick Mallet and based loosely on our friend. Here's a pic so my crit partners can place a face to the character. Yes...I have to redeem his naughty behavior in my current WIP. Richard insists.



He has a little more grey now, but I can understand with the type of cases he's had the last couple of years. The dimples are to die for. It also helps that my hubby likes him. But Richard was a HUGE help today and helped me resolve some issues I faced in reconstructing my ch6 & 7 that I lost in the infamous laptop crash. It also means I'll have to make some changes down the line but...WOW. He also wants to take me out on a real drug raid so I can see and feel the adrenaline rush. I was kinda scared at first as we talked about it, but he'll be with me and said they'll put me in a bullet-proof jacket and keep me in the van while storming the residence until it's secured. He was telling me about the first raid he went on and how heavy the jacket was...kept him in his seat while the agents stormed the house. LOL.

I can't pass up the opportunity...but I'm a "what if" kind of person. I have two kids and a hubby in Iraq. Well hell. If hubby can go to Iraq and work in a war zone...

What would you do for research?

6 comments:

Chicki Brown said...

I am so impressed. Going out on an actual raid sounds incredible!

Wish I had a friend like him...

Jennifer Shirk said...

Do it!!

What a great source of facts and inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, wow! It's great that you have such a great source! I hate the idea of interviewing total strangers to get facts to use for my writing. It's really nice to have friends that do interesting things and inviting you to join in!

Go for it!

Chelle Sandell said...

I've been wanting to call the sheriff's dept and/or police and get contacts for info I might need but was too scared. Richard said he'll hook me up at the end of my law research too. I couldn't quit grinning when he left and everything we talked about kept running scenes thru my brain. I had a hard time getting up this morning cause my mind worked overtime last night!

Chicki Brown said...

I just realized I didn't answer your question. Most of my research is done on the Internet. Over the past five years I've learned where to dig up obscure information, and I LOVE doing it. Every now and then I'll call someone, but I've discovered that just about anything I need is on the Web somewhere.

PatriciaW said...

Nothing like firsthand experience. You are putting yourself in a bit of danger--let's face it, it's true--but I'm sure he'll do everything within his power to keep you safe.

And your story will be so much better for having done it.