Hi —

Most people probably wouldn’t want the FBI checking out their search history just because it would be an invasion of privacy, but for most authors it could be cause for an investigation. LOL. In preparation for writing my current work-in-progress which is a contemporary fairy tale called Driven Snow, i’ve searched “poisons that can kill people”and then followed on with the actions and reactions of aconite. I’ve checked out the heart problems that can cause shortness of breath. Then i searched the piece de resistance, how to get out of a car that falls into a river  — complete with demonstration videos.  Finally, i’m searching anaphylactic shock and how to recover from it. And this is all for one book!

As you can imagine if you read my books, i’ve done a fair amount of research into automatic weaponry, fencing, and karate. Oh, i almost forgot polo. I’ve looked extensively into advanced mathematic equations, quantum physics, and currently am investigating all aspects of chess. I’ve had to become a near expert in American football. I’ve lived with the plays of a quarterback and a center, and a tight end will be up next. I’ve also delved deeply into construction and had to learn the sample questions for the contractor’s license.

It’s funny. When people read books, they usually don’t notice the details of a story — unless they’re wrong! That’s why writers have to work so hard searching and researching the minutia of every subject we write about. It may only occupy a half a page in the story, but the authenticity of our books depends on the work we do in our searches! Just a simple conversation could require research into street dialect or the current slang of teenagers.

What searches in your history would surprise an outside observer?