My library’s upper section. Yes, the floors are glass. Eek!

One of the things I most enjoy about writing is researching the subject matter. I love hanging out at the library, pouring over both faded tomes you can’t remove from the building and newer books or reference material. And I know I’m lucky–I love my city’s library system. (Support your local library!) If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know what I’d do. As much as I try, you just can’t Google everything!

More than once I’ve had a “Ah ha!” moment. Through research I’ve found ways the scattered pieces of my stories could come together that I had never imagined. I’ve used everything from little-known lore to characters in Old English poems to archaeological discoveries. And that’s just from one of my WIP’s! I even contacted a library system an ocean away on the off chance they had the full text of an old verse regarding a local legend. And as obscure as it was, they knew of a customer with a copy and managed to track that bad boy down for me. (Yay for librarians!)

Though I have to admit I did feel a bit awkward the other day when I stopped by the library and found myself browsing the witchcraft and occult section, but forgot I was wearing my Supernatural tee and a plaid shirt…

 I’m not researching for a hunt, I swear!

If you’re a writer, do you like the research stage as well?