Research, Research, Research . . .

I love doing research, especially for novels. I'm always amazed at what I discover and how it spurs completely unexpected story ideas.

Case in point: right now I'm very close to completing a solid first draft of Pumpkins, book 1 in my new YA horror series, which I'm calling the Uncanny Icons series, with each novel based on a different icon of Halloween.

Today I took a short break and did a bit of research for book 2 in the series, Brooms, which is about, you guessed it, witches. But it's also about something else that is quintessentially Canadian: curling.

While I thought I had a good start on an idea for the story, it didn't come together until today when I was doing some research on the history of curling. All I'll say for now is that an incredible idea was spurred when I read that curling used to be called the "roaring game" back in Scotland due to the sound the rocks made as they slid down the ice. That simple term blew something wide open, and the entire story suddenly fell into place. Now I can't wait to complete Pumpkins, so I can get started on this story.

But wait! I'm having too much fun on Pumpkins for it to be over. So I think I'll savor it for a bit longer.

Meanwhile, I also have book 6 of the Milligan Creek Series to write. I can't wait to get going on this book either because it involves one of my greatest passions, movies. Plus, last night while reading a book on maverick B-movie filmmaker Roger Corman, I got a fantastic idea for that book as well.

All that to say, if you want to write fiction, especially if you're stuck on a plot point, do your research. You'll be amazed at the connection your brain makes when it's in "hunting mode."