Writing What You Don’t Know
There’s always an interesting crossroads between what you’re inspired to write and what you end up including in a story. Research is essential. I tend to be meticulous, often going overboard in my attemps to soak up as much data as I can for my story. Writers may not be expert authorities in a subject, but we should be learned in many subjects. In the case of Picked at the Peak, I had to do some research the particular disability Aislin had. Peripheral neuropathy has some physical details I wanted to nail. The need to walk with a device and living with daily pain was something I knew, so I felt confident I’d be able to draw an accurate picture of Aislin’s personality.
Aislin has a lot going for him too. He has a good life and a lot of people who care about him. And he’s having a baby! Being a parent, I could remember all the tests and doctor’s appointments, the nervousness of not knowing if something was wrong.
We can’t forget Aislin’s successful business as owner of a vineyard and brewery. This is where inspiration skidded to a sudden screeching halt. I don’t drink beer. I don’t drink wine. I’ve never been to a winery. I have taken a tour of a brewery, once, way back in my pre-kid past when I got to do fun things on weekends, lol. Now, I let my characters have the fun for me.
In the day and age of the internet, research can be pretty easy. Googling any subject can bring millions of results. That doesn’t preclude the use of a time honored hall of research: the library. I managed quite a few hours to pouring over books by experts in microbrewing, wine-making and marketing strategies in the industry.
Research made Aislin’s world come alive around him. I was able to add in details to enrich the setting to make it believable. Probably the best part of writing for me is the many interesting things I’ve learned. Pacu have flat teeth, ancient Dacians believed children born with a caul were magical, veins look blue due to the way our skin blocks light… and so much more. Plus, if the world ends, at least I’ll still know how to make liquor!
PICKED AT THE PEAK
Blurb:
Aislin was surrounded by his extensive, but close-knit, family his whole life. He was the younger brother or the cousin they needed to protect and the kid’s favorite uncle, but he was never just Aislin. His overbearing family rarely listened to him, so sure they knew best. His adult years had all been about proving that the accident that damaged his leg as a teenager didn’t limit him.
He started a microbrewery business, bought a winery and decided to have… a baby.
The news shocked his family and friends, but he was determined to be a single parent. Not that Aislin wouldn’t love to have a partner, but dating never really worked out for him. It didn’t matter if he was gay, or single, or had a handicap. He was more than prepared.
He was not expecting the drastic change the next nine months would wreak on his life.
Buy Links:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alicia Nordwell is one of those not so rare creatures, a reader turned writer. Striving to find something interesting to read one day, she decided to write what she wanted instead. Then the voices started … Yep, not only does she talk about herself in the third person for bios, she has voices in her head constantly clamoring to get out.
Fortunately for readers, with the encouragement of her family and friends, she decided for her own sanity to keep writing. Now you can find her stories both free and e-published! Oh yeah, she’s a wife, mom of two, and lives in the dreary, yet ideal for her redhead complexion, Pacific Northwest. Except for when she disappears into one of the many worlds in her head, of course!
She can also be found quite often at her blog, where she has a lot of free fiction for readers to enjoy or working hard, or maybe hardly working, as an admin on GayAuthors.org under her online nickname, Cia.
Blog: Cia’s Stories
Facebook: Cia’s Stories
Twitter: @AliciaNordwell
GIVEAWAY
Alicia Nordwell is giving away a free ecopy of “Picked at the Peak” to one lucky winner! All you need to do is leave a comment under this post, telling us why you are interested in reading this book. Don’t forget to leave an email ID through which we could get in touch with you, in case you win!!
CONTEST ENDS 11TH NOVEMBER,2013 @ 23:59 PACIFIC TIME
From what I read of the excerpt it seems the story is very interesting bibbiesparks@yahoo.com.
Some family friends have dealt with neuropathy, and I don’t know much about it. Besides, the general plot sounds sweet!
I live with neuropathy and it’s hell. Mine gets more severe as time passes. It now effects both feet and legs and it’s difficult to maintain my balance. I’d love to read this book to possibly gain a little more understanding. All my doctors’ will say is that they don’t know why I have it and there is no surgery or anything else that will do any good. I don’t expect a cure from your book but it would be nice to read about someone else who has it.
Also, I’ve never read this author’s work and would appreciate the opportunity.
I’m interested to find out what you discovered with your research of the wine industry,
and I’d love to read about the drastic changes in Aislin’s life. This book sounds sooo
good. 🙂
I imagine youa re not always free to write what you want. Good luck
I’m interested in the family dynamics,and I’d enjoy reading about the strength Aislin has to do so much even when others think he can’t or should.
caroaz [at] ymail [dot] com
I’m interested in the family dynamics,and I’d enjoy reading about the strength Aislin has to do so much even when others think he can’t or should.
caroaz [at] ymail [dot] com
I’ve had my eye on this book and I would love a chance to win. Thank you for the giveaway =)
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
I want to read this because Alicia wrote a story for my prompt on GR and I loved it. I want to read another story by her 🙂
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
I want to read this books because it sounds great and I love Alicia’s books/stories.
sstrode at scrtc dot com
I like to read stories where characters succeed despite personal disabilities, and I do love a drop of wine so a winery setting would be great!
Littlesuze at hotmail dot com
It’s always quite fascinating to see how much an author puts into research. I think it’s really cool. LOL… and you all learn things you’d never thought you’d actually learn about or like… you learn about things you never once gave a second thought to before. it’s really pretty awesome. xD
thank you for the contest. 🙂
Judi P
arella3173_loveless@yahoo(dot)com
Thank you to everyone who commented and entered to win a copy of my eBook! I would have commented sooner but was felled last week by a cold to end all colds. Fortunately today the sun is shining, and I am on the mend! I can’t wait to see who wins, so good luck!