Hi, everyone!
Today I am at the Romance Writer’s of America Annual Conference in beautiful Orlando, Florida.
And I’m getting to do one of my favorite things…up-close research, baby! Before I left for this trip, I outlined the “research” workshops that I wanted to take. There will be talk of crime scene investigations, body farms, police procedures–yes, much sexy talk. 
I love getting to question experts at events like this. When I write a book, I like to include as many real crime scene elements as possible. I’m sure I’ll come away with lots of good info!
The last time I was at a conference, I learned how to get rid of a body in five easy steps. Ah, fun.
If you want to get more info about the RWA Conference, follow me on Twitter. I’m posting as much info there as I can!
Thanks!
Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available now from Kensington Brava
DEADLY FEAR–Available now from Grand Central Publishing (Forever)
Archive for July, 2010
When I write, I like to use places that I know–in particular, I like to use southern settings in my stories. What can I say? I’m a southern girl.
A few months back, I traveled once more to New Orleans (a city I love) with some writing buddies. This was a great trip for me because (1) the company was awesome but (2) I was planning to start a new series and I wanted to base that series in New Orleans.
I believe I’ve mentioned my Fallen Angel of Death before on this blog. If I haven’t, well, I wrote a story about a Fallen Angel of Death–if he wants his wings back, he has to do one tiny thing…kill the heroine. By the way, she isn’t exactly easy to kill since she’s a vampire. I’m working on my second Fallen Angel story now–more details will come!
Ahem, but, sorry, I got off track…
Visiting the city again allowed me to really cement ideas that I had. In particular, the opening scene of my first Fallen Angel story takes place right beside the St. Louis Cathedral.
Later in the book, my characters venture into the Cathedral, and, thanks to my visit, I was able to add some good, authentic details to fill in the scene:
But, of course, no trip to New Orleans would be complete without a stop by the infamous cemeteries:
I’ll head back to New Orleans (for more research and beignets) in a few months, when it’s a bit cooler. I’m already looking forward to my trip!
Is there a city that you’d like to visit for “research” purposes?
Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available now from Kensington Brava
DEADLY FEAR–Available 07/27/10 from Grand Central Publishing (Forever)
Normally I talk about Audio books on Tuesdays but today is my birthday so I want to take a moment to say thanks to:
–All my readers who spend time with my books. I am honored.
–All my future readers– the joy of thinking of you finding me on a shelf and enjoying my books keeps me writing.
–Reviewers– even if you didn’t love my book you took the time to read it and thank you!
–To the editors I’ve worked with. I’ve had the opportunity to work with many great editors and I’ve learned from each. Thank you for allowing me to do what I love.
–Agents — I’ve had several and while they weren’t all great marriages I value what each did for my career and respect each. I was fortunate to learn and grow thanks to their talents and contributions to my career.
-Friends and family who have supported me and held my hand during to emotional rollercoaster than can be this business. For believing in me when I didn’t believe in me THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!
–For the authors I don’t know who inspire and motivate me with their greatness. many who share expertise and support. new authors. I want to be like you. I want to be someone who helps others weather the storm and find the joy of success.
–For the authors I know who support. inspire. and motivate. Words are never enough to say how much a good friend in a competitive business who sees beyond that competition and never judges based on their success or yours. is.
It’s hard to believe I went from corporate executive to writing but many of us did. When I sold my business I was offered big bucks to stay in five years.Stay in until I was in my 40′s. I walked away. Many people think I was crazy. Some think I still am. But I worked night and day in that world and always felt I was trying to reach some secret place I could never get to. And that was because that place was nowhere in that world. It was in this one. When I am old and gray I don’t want to look back and say ‘what if?’ and ‘why didn’t I?’
Today I am blessed. I have two healthy beautiful boys, a man who loves and supports me, and a job I can call my dream job.
Love to all and thank you!
Lisa
What’s a selkie you might be wondering?
Selkies are mythological creatures that are found in Icelandic, Irish, and Scottish folklore. In fact, the word selkie comes from the Scottish word for seal. The legend originated in the Orkney Islands off Northern Scotland.
According to the legend, selkies are creatures that can shed their seal skins to become human and return to seal form by placing the skin back on. If someone steals a selkie’s skin, or if the skin is destroed, they cannot go back to their seal form.
Selkies were generally thought to be gentle creatures and selkie men and women were rumored to be unbelievably beautiful in human form and satisfied many a human!
For some time I’ve wanted to write a book that featured a selkie, but the general consensus has been that readers are not interested enough in this particular legend. Do you think you would be interested in a book with a creature like the selkie?
For more on Selkies, you can click on one of these links!
http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/selkiefolk/
http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/mermaids/2.html
Books featuring Selkies:
http://members.tripod.com/the_selkie/selkietheme.html
Photo Credit: Guinnog@en.wikipedia.org
First, let me apologize for posting this blog so late. All day…I thought it was Wednesday! Gah!
When it comes to research, I like the hand’s on work the best. When I researched fire-fighting, I was able to visit a fire house. I got to talk with firefighters, see the actual environment of the house, and even use the equipment. There are just certain details that I was able to get from this visit that I never would have gotten just from my Internet and book research.
Being in the setting made a huge difference for me.
Whenever I have the chance to do hand’s on research, I’m excited. I try to record every detail of the experience. And, if I’m talking with experts, I bug them with dozens of questions.
I like to make sure my information is accurate.
For my next big research adventure, I’d love to tour an FBI office. Or maybe go to a firing range. I think I’d be pretty dangerous with a gun.
Got any particular areas you think I should research?
If there is one author I know I can pick up and never be disappointed in, its Lisa Kleypas. Her writing is so vivid and sensual, and it pulls you in immediately.
From the moment I picked up Mine Till Midnight, the first in the Hathaway series, I was hooked. Seduce me at Sunrise only helped to whet my appetite for Tempt me at Twilight.
I couldn’t wait for Poppy’s story. With her quirky family, I found it charming that Poppy wanted “normalcy”. She certainly doesn’t get it when she meets Harry Rutledge. The passion between them ignites the pages, and Harry’s dangerous and hidden past only fueled my need to know more of him. He wants Poppy and will do anything to get her. And I do mean anything.
At times, I thought he might have done too much and it would push her away. And at times, it nearly did. Yet, Poppy is drawn to Harry in ways she doesn’t understand. When her reputation is compromised, she shocks her family by accepting Harry’s proposal. Poppy believes she’ll have the union her two sisters have.
Harry, on the other hand, has no problem giving Poppy passion – just not his heart or his trust. Their wills clash, and though they battle each other, an enemy lurks waiting to strike.
The culmination is perfect, and the dark, dangerous Harry Rutledge cannot hold out against Poppy and the love that has grown.
I’ve got the next two books in the Hathaway series, Married by Morning and Love in the Afternoon that I’m just dying to dive into. If you’re looking for a wonderful historical series to jump into – this is the one! Lisa Kleypas never disappoints!
hugs,
D
Froggy is my winner. Froggy I’ll email you your ebooks and send you me your address for your copy of HOT TARGET:)
So — if you don’t know SPIKE — James Marsters– is the voice of HARRY DRESDEN for the entire audio book series. The link to the books
I loved this show! It was canceled far too soon and the actor who played HARRY was just perfect. James is a great SPIKE but he does breath a lot on the audio. I have done this series in paperback and enjoyed it. DH is doing it on audio and he says you get use to the breathing and he likes James Marsters reading it. At first, the breathing is a problem. I’ve noticed in the audio reviews a lot of people comment on the breathing. But that said, once a voice is the voice of a character that voice BECOMES the character. James IS Harry as surely as he was SPIKE.
If you haven’t tried Harry, he is a character who is quirky and fun, and the stories are inventive, the writing sharp. It’s a great series that appeals to both male and female readers/listeners.
You won’t be sorry. Oh and DH has watched the entire television series all over again because the books got him so excited again. So sad it was canceled!
The origin of the word demon goes back to the Greek word “daimon” but to the Greeks the word did not have a negative connotation. Instead, a Greek daimon was a benevolent being. The idea that demons were malevolent was one that apparently came about as Christianity spread.
In Scripture and Catholic theology the term demon came to be associated the devil, evil spirits and the fallen angels.
Fallen angels were angels who had been banished from heaven for disobeying or rebelling against God. The most well-known of the fallen angels is Lucifer and is generally thought of as Satan, but in reality, the concept of Lucifer comes from the book of Isaiah. Lucifer, which means “light-bearer” in Latin, is actually a reference to the powerful King of Babylon.
As demons go, Lucifer in his guise as Satan brings fear to many and has been the source of many a bone-chilling fright in novels and movies like the Exorcist. Milton’s PARADISE LOST cemented Lucifer’s identification as Satan and as the leader of the fallen angels. Satan remains a persona banished to hell for his actions and determined to punish the God who exiled him.
Sometimes, to get the best research experience, you have to leave the books and the Internet behind, and you have to go out and get your hands dirty (so to speak).
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of heading out on a ghost hunt. Yes, I said pleasure because I thought it was fun! I write paranormals, how could I not think it was an awesome time?
So I met my writer buddy Jillian Chantal Read the rest of this entry
Well, I don’t have a review this week. With it being a holiday, a death in the family, and deadlines, I wasn’t able to finish the book I’m reading. And I just hate to talk about a book until I’m done with it. I know, I know, bad Donna. I’ll do better next week. 
So, today, instead of *me* doing a review, I wanted to see what book(s) *you’d* like to talk about.
What book or books have you read recently that you can’t stop talking about or can’t stop thinking about. You know those characters, the ones that latch onto your soul, and years later, you still think about them?
Have you found a new series or new author that you’ve fallen in love with?
I’m dying to know! I like to add to my list of “must buys” when I go to B&N. So please share.
hugs,
D
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