All in the name of RESEARCH
Authors are a very dedicated, passionate bunch when it comes to our craft. Sure we’re an observant group, but sometimes it takes more and we’ll do what-ever-it-takes in the name of research. I know I have. Sometimes craziness dedication pays off. Two things come to mind that I’ve done in order to get the information I needed.
First, when I got an idea for a cowboy series, I traveled to another city to meet with a stock contractor for a rodeo. He didn’t know I was coming and I didn’t know if he would talk to me, but I figured if I was going to portray a stock contractor as a main character, then who better to interview than someone who did this job for a living. Luckily the man was very nice and took the time to sit down with me and discuss his work. Second, I would say the farthest I’ve traveled in the name of research was to Ireland. Granted, I’ve wanted to go to Ireland for years, but hey, I had this Irish vampire main character in my third vampire book who needed some definitive roots and well, I had to sacrifice myself for the role of researcher in order to create the most realistic character I could. 
What I love the most about my ‘research’ trips is that these were things I never would’ve done just because. Hey, my ’story’ made me do it. 
What is the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of research? How far have you gone? Did you find your efforts worth it?
