Danger: Women Writing

Okay, so I normally chat about research. But, well, I recently came back from the RWA Conference, and my mind is a bit mushy still. So instead of talking books, I’m going to talk movies.

Or rather, the movies I want to see.

My son and I went to catch a show on Tuesday, and while we were there, I saw a poster for Scream 4. Yep, FOUR. Some folks may think four is too many, but when it comes to scary shows, I never have a “too many” point. That’s why I lined up early to catch Jason X, and why I was particularly giddy when the awesome Freddy vs. Jason (and, yes, that would be Freddy Kreuger–two horror movies faves fought it out) opened in theaters. I love horror films. I love it when they continue into a very long and involved series (or, well, semi-involved).

Horror movies are my guilty pleasure. On Saturday nights, I usually sit on the couch, glued to the TV as I watch Sy Fy Saturday night. What can I say? I like giant sharks that terrorize the coastline.

Do you have a guilty pleasure? It can be a type of movie, book, or even food. I’m all about sharing the guilt today!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available now from Kensington Brava
DEADLY FEAR–Available now from Grand Central Publishing (Forever)

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)

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)

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 »

For today’s research post, I thought I’d talk a bit about the FBI.

Oh, the FBI.

Monica Davenport (my heroine in DEADLY FEAR) is an FBI agent. Actually, all of my Deadly books revolve around a fictional unit in the FBI called the Serial Services Division (these agents track and apprehend serials). So, while my division might be fictional, I did want to incorporate real details about the life of an FBI agent into my stories.

Here are some things that I learned:

1. The FBI’s motto is: “Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity.”

2. At any given time, the FBI is looking for approximately “12,000 fugitives.” Yep, that’ a lot of fugitives.

3. Want to see the FBI’s ten most wanted fugitives? Here they are.

4. To become a special agent, you must be at least 23 years old.

5. Special agents undergo 20 week of “intensive training in Quantico.” Intensive!!!

6. Finally, the FBI does not actually have a job called “profiler”–but, lucky for me, I write fiction. So in my stories, they have profilers.

7. The FBI site says they have only investigated limited UFO claims. However, Fox Mulder would disagree with this statement–and so would I.

Want more FBI facts? Check out their site.

And what do you think of FBI agents in novels? Think they are depicted accurately? Think they are as awesome as Fox Mulder?

Happy 4th to those in the U.S.!!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available 06/29/10 from Kensington Brava
DEADLY FEAR–Available 07/27/10 from Grand Central Publishing (Forever)

Hi, everyone! Hope you are having a great Thursday.

Whenever I am researching one of my paranormal books, I always discover tons of interesting lore and myths. Sometimes, those stories can be downright scary. Other times, the info is fun–really.

When I was researching my upcoming release, I’LL BE SLAYING YOU (woo-hoo! Releases on 6/29 from Kensington Brava), I spent some time studying the different vampire stories that are circulating. The heroine of I’LL BE SLAYING YOU is a vampire slayer, so I wanted to be sure she could handle any vamp threat that came her way (thus my research time).

Here are some of the vamp tidbits I discovered:

1. If you spread mustard seeds on the roof of your house, this will keep vamps away. Okay, so this idea was tossed around in Europe way back when. Not real sure it is effective, but what could it hurt?

2. Vampires can’t enter a house unless you invite them in. I think most of us may have heard this belief before. It’s pretty widely circulated. Be careful who you invite into your house. Once a vamp has an invitation, he can come and go as he pleases!

3. Many folks believe that the whole idea of vampirism developed because people (way, way back in the day) were…buried alive. After all, medicine wasn’t that advances hundreds of years ago, and sometimes, there were premature burials. If the coffin was later dug up and claw marks were found on the wood, it was said the person had been a vampire (instead of an unfortunate soul who’d been buried alive and then tried to claw out for freedom).

4. On a semi-vampire note…Elizabeth Bathory bathed in the blood of young girls–she thought doing so would keep her youthful and beautiful. Some scholars out there think she may have been the world’s most prolific female serial killer. The “Blood Countess” was never actually tired or convicted for her crimes.

5. Though they are wicked strong, there are still lots of ways to kill vamps. A stake through the heart, cremation, and decapitation are three old death stand-bys for vampires. After all, no one really lives forever, not even vampires.

That’s all for my research round-up this week. Have some vampire trivia you’d like to share? Please do!

Thanks!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available 06/29/10 from Kensington Brava
DEADLY FEAR–Available 07/27/10 from Grand Central Publishing (Forever)

Hi, everyone! Hope you are having a fabulous week!

For my Thursday blog, I’m going to talk research with you. Or, rather, I’m going to share some of the weird facts that I have learned while researching my books.

Today, I’ll share facts I learned while researching DEADLY FEAR, my first romantic suspense (due out 07/27!).

So here are some um, perhaps not-so-fun facts that I discovered:

1. The FBI estimates that there are between 35 and 100 active serial killers in the U.S. at any one time.

2. The U.S. has more serial killers than any other country.

3. Taphephobia is the fear of being buried alive.  Anyone have this fear?

4. At the Evil Minds Research Museum, the FBI collects serial killer (and other violent offender) “artifacts” (like John Wayne Gacey’s paintings). The purpose is to better understand the psyche of the killers.

5. Angola prison (in Louisiana) is the largest maximum security prison in the U.S. (They also have a rodeo at the prison, something I found very interesting.)

Those are my 5 facts for today.  Though I learned lots more.  And, yes, as you can imagine, my Google searches are always fun.

Got any interesting facts to share?

Hi, everyone!  Wow–this is it.  My first post at Danger Women Writing.  It is a pleasure to be a part of this diverse group of writers.  I’m happy to be hanging out in the Danger Zone! (Yes, sorry, had to say that…I am such a Top Gun fan.)

In case you don’t know me, I’m Cynthia Eden.  I write sexy paranormal romances (with suspense) for Kensington Brava, and I also write dark romantic suspense novels for Grand Central Publishing. I’m actually in the middle of doing revisions for my first Grand Central book, DEADLY LIES.  And, a few days ago, I finished the rough draft for the next book in my Night Watch series for Kensington (the Night Watch books are my paranormal bounty hunter books).  So, um, October has been busy for me so far.

And I LOVE October.  I adore paranormals, so, of course, it stands to reason that I love Halloween.  What a great holiday. The perfect night to dress up and pretend to be someone else…just for a little while.

What are your plans for Halloween? Taking the little ones trick or treating? Heading to a party?  Let me know…and I’ll pick one commenter to win her/his choice of any Cynthia Eden title.

Thanks!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
BELONG TO THE NIGHT–Available now from Kensington Brava
HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT–mass market re-release 12/1/09