So, I was shopping the other day and ran into an old friend who asked me how the “book business” was going. I said, “Same as usual. Sporadic sales. Well wishes from friends.” And then she asked me what I was working on, if anything. (A big clue she wasn’t following my blog!!#!). Well, in her defense, she needed a lesson in how to even find it. (I can understand that . . . I’m relatively computer illiterate). But then she asked how I know so much. Huh? Me? (She had read all of my books–Yay!–and was continually amazed at how much info is in them). Well, I said I don’t really know much at all. I do my homework. Research. Research. Research. For instance, John Victor’s current adventure takes place in the region where my brother (the real JV) heard there was lost treasure. The Tucson area. BINGO! I googled Tucson. Learned where the name came from. Learned about some of the mining and treasure hunting there. For instance the copper mine in Bisbee. And the desert! A plethora of info there! The flora, the fauna, the history of a region. Every little tidbit can become one of the building blocks of the story.
And then there’s Melvin. I wanted him to “grow” as a human being. As you know from “The SEED” he has a long way to go. Ha. So, I decided to have him become interested in self improvement. Threw in Tony Robbins’ name. Created a “Zen spot”. Hey, I didn’t know until this research that Zen is a Buddhist sect from the 12th century . . . read on if you like:
Melvin flung his arm out the car window, loving the hot summer sun that warmed his flesh. I’m free! he thought. Free for the whole day! Melvin was on his way to his most favorite spot in the whole wide world. He called it his ‘Zen Spot.’ He had named it after hearing a lecture at his Uncle Todd’s health spa about the importance of Zen, the Buddhist sect that advocated self-contemplation in the 12th century. Melvin had been mesmerized. . . . . . . .
Thanks for checking in. Thanks for the extra hit! Did you come from my website? If not, go to www.annrichduncan.com. I need the hits. Tens of thousands of them!!!