So I know this is not Saturday, so this isn’t really a post about writing. Well, it is, SORT OF. I’m on a marathon to finish my novella, which should have been finished months ago. It’s not late–I’m ahead on my deadline, but I had about 15K written of a 20K novella that wasn’t working for me, so I decided to chuck it all and start over.
I love my new story. It has the same characters (somewhat…the hero is no longer a cop, but now a yacht designer) and I tossed half of the premise. I reset the whole thing and since, have been writing fairly madly. The trouble came up with my decision to make my hero a sailor. Because ladies, despite the fact that I grew up in Florida, lived on a lake for the majority of my life and have three brothers who have mastered just about every water sport known to human kind, I hate boats.
Okay, I don’t hate boats. I think boats are beautiful and I like looking at them. I even went sailing when I was much younger and enjoyed it (just me and my likewise twelve year old friend sailing in her tiny little dingy in the Gulf of Mexico without any supervision…although we stayed VERY close to the shoreline). I drove the ski boat for my brothers and was quite good at it.
But I don’t like boats. I don’t like cruise ships or sailing ships, both of which I have been on. I don’t like big boats, little boats, medium sized boats. I don’t like catamarans or yachts–and yes, I’ve been on both. I don’t like the movement of the boat. I like it in THEORY, but not in reality.
As a result, I know next to nothing about boats, particularly the type of cruising yacht the hero of this story not only owns, but designed. And every time I am in his point of view, I get tied up because I don’t know the proper names for things! So instead of writing, I’m researching. Lots and lots of research. Internet. Books. Even bugging my friend Diana Peterfreund’s husband, Sailorboy, so that he is answering my questions rather than racking up those billable hours.
I also found a father of one of my daughter’s friends who sails. He doesn’t know it yet, but his wife has given me his email so I can barrage him with questions. I have a list. And it’s getting very long.
My favorite way of researching is the Internet for the sheer speed of it. I’m a Google master and I can usually find just about anything. But sometimes, you really need to talk to someone who is an expert.
So here’s my question–if a writer needed to talk to you regarding research, what would your topic be?
My topic would be Florida. You know, except anything to do with boats.
BTW, I’m blogging today over at Blazeauthors.com, too! Stop by and visit!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold nearly thirty books to three publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, spoiled dachshund, enormous guinea pig and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
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Great topic Julie, for me I would be good for anyone researching a hairstylist, I also would be good on a childhood of moving I lived in at least 12 diffrent homes growing up and went to 5 diffrent grade schools. I’ve lived in Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Florida.
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I honestly don’t know what I would be an “expert” at. I love football and can tell you almost everything about the game, just not stats. After all I am a girl. LOL
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about the only thing im really good at, is being an army wife of a deployed soldier… thats getting to be too familiar of a topic..
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I could start a company advising people on the most efficient means of moving. I have gotten very good at it. Throwing things out is another story.
Doggie Day Car. My step-daughter and I have actually discussed going into the business end of it. I have been doing it out of my house long enough, a space dedicated to it would have to be so much easier. And hiring someone else to clean up puppy poop.
ps. when we got married, hubby had a 24′boat. I have no idea why, I had to show him how to put it in the water- FIRST, make sure the plug is in. Yeah, he didn’t.
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My area of expertise would be in raising a special needs child and things concerning Colorado. I also grew up in the South so I have knowledge about that. I play the harp. I also know how to drive and operate a back hoe. And I have a degree in Art. I have owned Dachshunds for the last 20 years so I know a lot about the breed.
Julie, I’m not a boat person either. I’ve never understood the fascination. My M-I-L sent my husband and I on a cruise for our second honeymoon about three years ago. Both of us couldn’t wait to get off that ship.
Cher
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My subject would be Juvenile Diabetes (Called Type 1) and Kidney transplant survival ( I had a transplant 13 1/2 years ago, sister was my donor) Some of the details of transplant have changed but NOT all that much.. I could definitely tell them what to avoid food wise afterwards so they don’t do like I did and gain A LOT of weight. They kept telling me don’t worry about it it will all come off when you are off the steroids (No it didn’t) They tell them different now but not back then.
I have had Type 1 Diabetes since I was 13 and I am now almost 42. It unlike Type 2, is an auto-immune disease. Where the white cells turn on the pancreas and destroy the insulin making cells (Islets).
Other then that and spending lots of time at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, because my daughter has lots of orthopedic birth defects (Scoliosis, Springles Deformity, Trigger Thumb and an artificial hip), yeah I know WAAAAY too much of the medical crap that surrounds kids and what they deal with after surgery, I don’t know what I could help anyone with.
Yall have a great day!
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Being a Mom of a special needs child (particularly autism)…how not to lose your mind, keep a positive attitude and not let it take over your life. I understand a lot of parents who let it take over their lives (I get it, this is a hard thing to deal with). But, your child needs a parent who is that, a parent (and yes, I do everything for my child). Also, how to deal with teachers, therapists, etc and get your way. Seriously, a lot of parents think yelling at them works.
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Mine would be disasters (natural and man-made–tornadoes and bombings to be specific), crime scene investigation, and firefighting, Oh, and Oklahoma history/Native American history.
I love boats, Julie, but they are WAY too much work to be enjoyable. LOL.
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Wow! Look at all the experts here! This is very good to know and trust me, all the Plotmonkeys will be bookmarking this page for future reference!
There’s a lot of stuff I’m probably insightful about–raising a gifted child, for one, many things regarding cooking, teaching, and anything having to do with the first three Star Wars movies.
Oh, and Harry Potter. I’m pretty much an expert on all six books, but not so much the movies. I’ve seen them all, but I have not memorized them. 
BTW, I hit 50 classes at Jazzercise today! I started back in February…not sure of the date, but I average 6 classes a week now. I’m still loving it!
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Silver, I think it’s common for boat owners to call a boat a “hole in the water you pour your money into.”
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Expert, hmm? Expert: noun–someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing … (joke learned during law school years, and yes, it only applies to the other guy’s experts).
Wine. If I don’t know the answer, I guarantee you I know someone who does (also other spirits, seeing that I work for a wine/spirits retailer here in Florida).
Witchy stuff and all things faery related. Paranormal.
Writing love scenes
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Congrats on 50 classes Julie, that’s so exciting!
I know Coronado, CA pretty well. I’ve read all kinds of books on the history on top of living there for most of my life and exploring everything it has to offer. (the restaurants turn over frequently though) I’ve also lived in 8 houses before I moved to college (5 of which were in Coronado…). I could tell you a lot about an amicable divorce from a kid’s perspective…and pretty much living out of a suitcase.
I know almost everything about Cal State Monterey Bay and living in the dorms on an old Army Base. We actually had to sign something when we moved in that said we wouldn’t sue the school if we got cancer while living on campus. (The water is that bad)
other topics: poetry, some portuguese traditions, mascot for a weekend, glass mosaics, conch (ear) and tongue piercings, & really really beginner pole dancing…
<3 J
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Am I an expert on anything? Not to sure about that. I’ve lived in northern California for a little over 40 years which means I know quite a bit about this area. I am also a native Oregonian a wonderful state. Both places have awesome natural beauty which I love. There is the wisdom that comes from living on this planet for many years. I can recommend that anyone appreciate your family, your friends and to live well which doesn’t mean spending lots of money or trying to keep up with everyone else.
This is an interesting subject Julie. Thanks for making us think about what we know well.
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Yay on the 50 classes, Julie!
Let’s see, I’d say I know everything there is to know about tennis since I’ve played it since I was a child and was ranked as a junior. I’ve lived in Southern California my whole life so know a lot about the area. And I know a lot about party planning – I’ve written about party themes for virtually every holiday and special occasion.
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P.S. Congratulations on 50 Jazzercise classes. Keep up the good work.
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Way to go on the 50 classes!!!
Hubby and I had been living together about 6 months when he decided he wanted a sailboat. One that could be restored. After much searching he found a wreck of a boat that had been abandoned (basically). He found the owner in SC, called him up and bought the boat. We had to pump 80 gallons of water out of it before we could even untie it from the dock.
Then we spent 5 1/2 months reconditioning it. The only screws that didn’t come out of that thing were the ones that held the toerail to the hull. Every night and every weekend that he was off. Prior to that I had never been sailing.
The first day we took it out, it was a wild, blustery day. I HATED IT!!! I hate everything about sailing. I hate how slow it is. I hate healing over. I HATE tacking when the boom swings around. Oh, did I mention I get motion sick? We kept it long enough to have to deal with it through 3 hurricanes and then finally sold it. Hubby would love to have another one. And he can. Just don’t expect me to step foot on it.
There’s a book called “This Old Boat” and it has a wealth of information in it. Maybe you could find a cheap, used one to have as a handy reference.
I don’t think I’m expert at anything but I worked in advertising for 12 years. I worked for an entertainment company that did haunted houses. I’m married to a funeral director who’s willing to share information. Oh, and I know tons about NASCAR.
I’m a huge redneck and that’s probably where I’m most knowledgeable.
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Hi everybody, I hope that everyone is having a wonderful day…it is pretty rainy here in NE Connecticut, but it is not so cold…
Jules, I popped over to Blaze authors…I really enjoyed your blog over there…thanks for the history lesson too…
If a writer needed to talk to me, I feel like I could be a good font of information on anything except the sexy stuff you guys write…not that comfortable talking about that stuff…I could be a great resource on basketball, learning languages, Jamaica, NYC, being a soldier, being a good reader, etc…
Good luck finding info on boating…I am with you on the whole boat thing…I don’t hate them, but I fear them…I think a lot of this fear is grounded in my inability to swim very well and almost drowning when I was too young…I have been on a cruise, but my heart was palpitating so hard every time I went on deck, especially for the drills…the funny thing is that I used to love going on boats…I love the way they rock with the motion of the waves and just the feeling of freedom it gives…I still fear them though…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Anything you need to know about retail I’m your girl. Been in the biz longer then I care to say but am glad to be gainfully employed.
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I am definitely saving a link to this post and SO plan to hit all of you guys up if I ever need to pick your brains.
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You know, Paula, I think you’re on to something. I also almost drowned when I was four (my father noticed immediately and went in after me) and as a result, didn’t learn to swim until I was nearly ten. I’ve never been a really strong swimmer, either. We didn’t have a pool until I was 13 and then, it was always filled with my brother’s friends, so I didn’t go in much myself.
I also think I did drown in another life, but that’s another story.
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Hi! Congrats Julie!!!
I am not sure what I am an “expert” on. Umm…..disfunctional families, disfunctional marriages…
My kids said “being the best mommy in the world”! Isn’t he a sweetheart.
I would say lace, ribbon, crafts. I have quite a bit of experience there. Also, I pick up things quickly.
Have a Wonderful Wednesday and Happy Administrative Assistants Day.
Work really spoiled me today.
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Bermuda and crochet.
I grew up in Bda, and I taught myself how to crochet.
For all you authors writing island pieces, please know, hibiscus does not have a scent. It’s big, showy, ornamental, and puts its pistil and stamen right out there for anyone to see. As far as bees are concerned, hibiscus don’t need a scent.
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A writer could ask me just about anything and chances are I would know a little about it. I’m interested in everything and have researched or tried a lot. However, I am an expert in absolutely nothing. I guess my answers and opinions would be worth a little and lead to more research – for both of us.