Author Gail Barrett
Shares Tips & Tricks of Researching Your Next Novel, To Celebrate the
Launch of the FBI-Thiller Tough Justice
I don’t
know much about anything – at least nothing that’s useful in a book. A career as a high school Spanish teacher has
taught me a lot about learning languages, but nothing about weapons or
crimes. So to write a suspense novel
with any sort of credibility I’ve resigned myself to doing research. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned along the
way:
1.
Folk remedies don’t always work.
I never
expected to get altitude sickness when I took a research trip to Peru. I’d read about it, and even took medication
to prevent it since I was joining a medical group visiting villages at 13,000
feet. Regardless, my blood oxygen still plunged
to 71%, leaving me so exhausted I could barely stagger across the room. And while folk remedies may sound intriguing,
all the coca tea in the world didn’t stop the horrible throbbing in my head. But like any writer I put the misery to use
and used it in my book.
2. I’m
far more cowardly than my characters.
I like to
think of myself as courageous, but I’m really not. That point hit home when I did a police
ride-along in Baltimore one time. I
weathered a high speed chase, confronted junkies in a flop house, and helped
serve several ex-partes in some pretty
rough neighborhoods without losing my nerve.
But when we stopped a break-in in progress, and the officer I was with
confronted the suspects with his weapon drawn, I realized how scared I was,
even wearing a bullet-proof vest. I
might write about kick-ass characters, but I’m definitely not one of them.
3.
I’m hopeless when it comes to guns.
One of
these days I’m going to have to break down and take shooting lessons. It might be the only way I’ll ever be able to
write about firearms with any sort of credibility. As it is, it doesn’t matter how many times
someone walks me through a scene, I forget everything as soon as I’ve written
it down. Fortunately, I have a husband
and son with military backgrounds I can pester for facts.
4. There
are some amazingly nice and helpful people in the world.
And I don’t
mean only those related to me, who are obligated to help me out. I’ve met some incredibly generous people over
the years: the head of the Enoch Pratt library in Baltimore who gave me a
private tour, the Baltimore cop who not only let me ride along with him but
still answers my questions whenever I plead for help, the smokejumper in Montana
who demonstrated how flares work and let me sit on his plane, a retired DEA agent,
an expert in illuminated manuscripts, the owner of a Harley Davidson store – just
to mention a few. I’m eternally impressed
by how helpful people can be.
5.
The world is a scary place.
If you
think people are out to get you, they probably are. The problem with doing research for suspense
novels is that I’ve come across a lot of information I wish I didn’t know. Thanks to the internet, I’ve learned that what
doesn’t make the news is far more
terrifying than what does.
6. Writers
will do anything for research.
In 2008 I wrote
an article for the Romance Writers Report about what writers will do to get authentic
details for their books. And I have to
tell you, I’m a total slacker compared to most.
Other authors I spoke to have spent time with hookers, flown through a
gale in a small plane, gone down in a submarine, ridden an elephant, become an
EMT, gotten a tattoo, dodged wildfires, gone to strip clubs, and tagged along
on a mountain rescue -- all for the sake of their books. One writer tried to sneak across the border. Another tried to smother herself! One thing’s for sure -- writers are an amazingly
intrepid bunch!
7. It’s
worth it.
I can’t
guarantee that I haven’t made mistakes in my books, despite doing research. In fact, I’m sure I have. There are too many things I still don’t know. But I feel good knowing that at least I’ve tried to get it right. And in the process, I’ve had some great
experiences, traveling to different countries and expanding my limited horizons
– even if I’m still a coward at heart.
Be sure to check out part 1 of Tough Justice,
EXPOSED, available to readers for FREE!
Get part 1 of TOUGH JUSTICE for FREE:
About the author: Gail
Barrett is the award-winning author of over a dozen romantic suspense
novels. A former RITA® finalist, Gail has received countless awards,
including the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Holt Medallion, The National
Readers’ Choice Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence in romantic
suspense, and Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart. For
more information, visit her website: http://www.gailbarrett.com
Tour Schedule:
- Monday, January 11th – The Book Swarm
- Friday, January 15th – Curling Up With A Good Book
- Monday, January 18th – A Dream Within A Dream
- Wednesday, January 20th – Books and Things
- Friday, January 22nd – Read Your Writes Book Reviews
- Monday, January 25th – The Book Cellar
- Wednesday, January 27th – Live To Read ~Krystal
- Friday, January 29th – Parajunkee
- Monday, February 1st – Bewitched Bookworms
- Wednesday, Febraury 3rd – Blushing Reads
- Friday, February 5th – For The Love of Fictional Worlds
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This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
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My step sister would like these books. :)