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Instagram Pic by Julia King

When I was eighteen, I traveled by chartered bus with a group for three weeks across country and back again. During that time, I hit up seventeen U.S. states. Supercool. And way fun! I enjoyed the entire trip, however, there was one city that stuck out to me the most: Boston, Massachusetts.

The strange thing is that I spent all of maybe four hours there. But, the essence of the New England state penetrated my soul in a way that has drawn my heart back there ever since. Yes, for twelve years, I've been itching to get back there but have yet to make my pilgrimage back. I'd love to live there. The thing is I'm too practical to up and move without securing a job. I'm a planner, you see. I've got to make sure I can survive. :D But the adventure is so desirable to me. And, of course, scary too!

Anyway, because of this intense pull to this beautiful area of the United States, I set my second book, BOUND, in a city near Boston called Wrentham. There is a scene that takes place in Boston, and the beginning and end takes place outside of Dublin, Ireland. Intrigued yet? You better be!

Although I spent a brief period of time in Boston, I didn't know anything about it other than I know it's gorgeous. I spent a a fare amount of time researching Wrentham and Boston. I don't know what I'd do without the internet. Sheesh, I'd be lost. Luckily, I've been to Dublin, Ireland, so I didn't have much of a problem there. Plus, the scenes set in Ireland are supernatural by nature, so I used my creative license to build the setting/world there.

Anyway, have you ever set a book in a city you've never been to? Or one in which you've only spent a short period of time there? How do you go about researching your setting? Internet? Library? Actually going there?

Writing. Jewels.

PS: Happy Wednesday!

The Outernet vs The Internet

I saw this the other day and thought it was hilarious.

Source

Those were the good old days when we had to use all of those "outernet" sources to complete tasks that take us minutes to do on the internet. I remember them... Yes, I remember researching for a paper at the library. Does that mean I'm old? haha

Anyway, I couldn't help but think about social networking as I laughed at this picture. I have met soooooo many great people while using Twitter and my blog. I swear, I wouldn't be where I'm at right now in in my writing journey if it weren't for social networking. The support I've found here is mind-boggling. I've found critique partners and betas on the internet. And I've actually only met one of them. Props to Morgan Shamy. I can't tell you how grateful I am for social networking. It has pulled me from having no idea what I'm doing to, uh well, knowing what I'm doing writing-wise.

If you've been following me long enough, you'll know I'm an advocate for using social networking during the writing process. It. Is. Priceless. How will people know you from the girl next door if you don't get your name out there? And the best part of social networking is you make amazing friendships along the way.

Back before the internet, I wonder how people actually got published. It is AMAZING to me. I bow in their glory. Seriously.

Anyway, did you laugh up a storm when you saw the Outernet picture? Have you found a lot of support from social networking? Have you found your CP's and betas from it? What are your thoughts on social networking? 

Writing. Jewels.