Introduction to the class

Welcome, one and all, to the April 2008 ACFW online class. This month we are going to focus on research.

I have chosen two areas to focus on:

1. Historical Research
2. Mystery/suspense research

While I write in both genres, I get tired of listening to myself talk, so I have pulled in several authors that you will recognize to help with each genre. In historical, you’ll hear from me and the following authors:

1. Julie Lessman
2. Tricia Goyer
3. Nancy Moser
4. Stephanie Grace Whitson
5. Jamie Carie
6. Kim Sawyer and
7. DiAnn Mills

That’s quite a line up of writers who are willing to share their techniques and experience with you.

Then for suspense, you’ll hear from yours truly again, as well as:

1. Jill Nelson
2. Brandt Dodson
3. Susan May Warren
4. Colleen Coble and
5. Brandilyn Collins.

Brandilyn and Susan also have great blogs filled with writing tips. If you haven't checked them out yet, be sure to do so. I also hope we’ll learn from your experience and questions.

I'll be in and out most of the first week of April. So the class won’t officially kick off until the 7^th. Until then, I’d love to learn a little bit about each of you and what you hope to learn from the class. To get it started.

I’m Cara Putman. I’m a wife, attorney, mother, ministry leader, and author. I graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and George Mason University School of Law. History and law are my loves, which comes in pretty handy for what I write. I have one book out right now: Canteen Dreams, a World War Two historical romance published by Heartsong Presents. In May two more books release: Deadly Exposure, romantic suspense from Love Inspired Suspense, and Sandhill Dreams, another World War Two romance. Then in September, Captive Dreams will release from Heartsong Presents. I am working on a three-book series set in Ohio during World War Two, and a follow-up proposal to Deadly Exposure. I also hope to move into legal suspense at some time. You can learn more about me at my website: www.caraputman.com.

Usually, during this course, I check email multiple times a day. So feel free to fire questions and comments to the group. I’ll respond as quickly as I can.

We will start with three lessons on historical research, and then finish with three lessons on suspense/mystery research. Some of it overlaps. But you’ll find each has unique quirks.

I know not all of you write in these genres, but it’s my hope and prayer that you will still find techniques that can apply to whatever type of research you do.

Last note. I have set up a blog (http://acfwresearch.blogspot.com/) for this course. I will plan to post the lectures or examples there. Usually, I’ll post a note to the class when I do that, but it doesn’t hurt to check it periodically.

So sit back and prepare to explore how to make our novels more compelling as we add the details that suck a reader into the story and make the story come to life. I look forward to this class!