Writing and Reading

I think I need to let the fuzzy feline out of the idiomatic satchel and say simply–

I have started a new project. It’s a new novel, completely different characters, different storyline.

It’s urban fantasy again, but with erotic thriller and crime themes injected into it. Think “CSI” and “Law and Order” meets some raw, unedited Gena Showalter or Laurell K. Hamilton. More emphasis on crime, courtrooms, detective work, things like that.

I won’t say much more than that other than the working title:

VERMILION EYE.

Catchy, huh? I bring this up specifically because of the all-important research that goes into these specific genres (I’ve been reading Jordan Dane’s “No One Heard Her Scream” and have noticed the amount of research. Dear, God, Jordan).

People honestly and justifyingly get scared of research. Especially for ambitious projects such as novel writing. I understand. I love research, and I myself get intimidated with the thought of researching for certain plot elements in a 75,000-word to 90,000-word book. It’s a time-consuming project.

But let me tell you, there’s easy ways to do those kinds of research. I’ve already mentioned one (*coughs* reading Jordan Dane’s work *coughs*). How fun! That’s research. Plus I’m reading a stellar book at the same time.

Even better–I recently caught the season premiere of both “NCIS” and “Criminal Minds”, two really excellent shows that have to do with the authentic rhetoric of police work, special agents, criminal psychology, anti-terrorism, tech work, fingerprint analysis etc etc. It’s great stuff! Plus fun to watch.

You absorb and absorb, and maybe, possibly, pick up clever plot elements of your own to twist and reshape to fit your projects. There’s good writing in there. Really. At least for the shows that have good depth to them. “CSI” gets high marks, too. A lot of research goes into the storyline for these shows.

Watch ‘em. Assimilate them. That’s easy research. And that makes research FUN!

I was always such a big fan of motivational coach speeches and stuff like that, epic dialogue from war films, too. To be more specific, I have a soft heart for those defining moments that really zero in on that “yes” moment in any literary work–be it film, drama, poetry, fiction or non-fiction. Call it the “peak” of the whole purpose behind the work, if you will. It’s the cornerstone of your project. It’s shining dialogue that represents exactly the message behind the masterpiece. I love that stuff.

So here we are again with a segment of some of the most popular dialogue in certain films, certainly some of my favorite bits. A few of these will make you float–I guarantee it. One might make you bawl endless puddles. Enjoy.

“Any Given Sunday”

“American Beauty”

“Contact”

“Rudy”