I was talking to someone the other day (a small press publisher) about my mss. She wanted to know what the complete was about, and what the one I’m working on is about. It was just a general getting-to-know-you talk, not business related at all (at least on the surface). The conversation went something like this:
Me: The first one’s tagline is ‘Money may not be able to buy love, but enough of it can buy a new heart.’ It’s about the black market for organ and tissue needs.
Pub: Interesting. And the other one?
Me: This one’s tagline is ‘Sometimes the dead shouldn’t stay buried.’ I’m writing about Human Remains Detection dogs (PC for Cadaver Dogs), and how a dead serial killer unwittingly helped to expose a current maniac.
Pub: Do you have to do much research?
Me: (I took a quick moment, but should have taken two). . . . No. I rely on personal experience.
I’m sorry, but I thought that was funny at the time. Still do.
At some point in all of our lives, we’re told to write what we know. Can I just say . . . BORING? I say, write what you want to know more about. Yes, you can write what you have a passion for, but usually, that involves a soapbox, and soapboxes don’t translate to fiction very well. Write what you’re curious about, and do the research to make it work.
That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
What’s yours?
CR: The Pure in Heart by Susan Hill.
It’s all better with friends.