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This post is proudly a stop on the TEXAS TWO STEP Blog Tour. For a complete listing of all stops on this tour, please visit here. All contests are for U.S. residents only unless otherwise noted. Comments left onthis blog will be counted toward the Texas Two Step Faithful Follower Gift Certificate. To see a complete listing of Blog Tour Prizes, click here. Be sure to check out the freebies. Yours for the asking as long as they last.
Thank you to the gals of Petit Fours and Hot Tamales for having me here today. I’m thrilled you were able to work me in!
As I was reviewing the previous posts by Guest Chefs and seeing what topics seemed to be popular, I saw the most perfect title…I Swear, Honey, It’s Research by Eileen Dryer. I laughed and then stole her topic! Eileen and I don’t begin to do research alike and don’t come close to writing similar stories so I thought I’d expose you to what I consider research.
Any author worth her salt will tell you that if you want authenticity to your writing, you have to understand your subject. It’s even better if you can have some experience as part of your research. I know that as a student, I always went to class because I am a visual learner. I remember more when I see something than if I just read it.
I write contemporary cowboy romances. I have been following cowboys, ranchers and cowgirls on twitter, going rodeos, and watching the Professional Bull Riding (PBR) on television for the past three years all the while telling my husband that is was research for Texas Two Step. All the ogling of those tall, rangy cowboys in tight jeans was research…that’s all.
But as “they” say…A picture is worth a thousand words. Here’s what I learned…
Cowboys love to tip their hats…to the crowd or to that special lady.
It may only take one cowboy to rope the cow, but…
When you’re milking a wild cow at a Ranch Rodeo, it can take the entire team to hold her
Cowboys are tough enough to ride wild horses
And tough enough to wear pink for breast cancer awareness
A cowboy may be tough on the outside but on the inside a daughter can hold her cowboy daddy’s heart in the palm of her hand, no matter the size its size.
Cowboys look mighty fine coming
and going.
And Yes! I had to have a new pair of boots.
It was for research. I swear!
So what are the craziest ways you’ve done research? And don’t you agree that going to lots of rodeos would be required for my line of work?
Today’s Blog Tour Prize
Many guest bloggers can offer a copy of a backlist book to be given away as a potential prize for a blog commenter. As a debut author, I don’t have a backlist. But I do have some awesome author friends who have stepped forward and offered one of their books as a prize.
Today’s Blog Tour Author Sponsor is Indie Press author Edie Ramer. Edie will send Cattitude to one lucky person who leaves a comment. To find out more about today’s Blog Tour Sponsor, you can visit her Website, Twitter or Facebook. 
To learn more about me check out these links:
Website , Facebook. Twitter, Group Blog , and Personal Blog
And if those aren’t enough, Sign up for inside scoops and special contests by receiving the newsletter I share with my blog buddies.
Remember! Leave a comment for a chance to win Edie’s book!
Texas Two Step is available at Samhain, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble and other online outlets.
I will be forever in your debt if you would buy it!
Don’t forget to ask for your freebies!
by Tammy Schubert
28 comments
Cynthia,
Love your cover! I used to live in Folsom, CA and they had rodeos all the time in the Dan Russel Arena. Yeah, as a teenager I did some research there…but it wasn’t for future books. LOL
Thanks so much for a very entertaining read today and I wish you all the luck in the world with your debut release.
Cynthia,
I look forward to buying Texas Two Step.
I do love cowboys. IMO, my dh has a bit of cowboy, man’s man, whatever you want to call it. It works for me.
Cynthia,
n
I loved your post and your voice so I’m sure you’re new book will reflect that. I have to admit that other than the movies, I know nothing about cowboys, have not seen an actual one, but still like them. I agree you need to go to rodeos for research! I loved your pictures.
My favorite place for research was going to Bermuda to research the book I’m making final revisions on, “Under the Moon Gate,” a World War II thriller. In addition to going through Bermuda newspapers during that time period, visiting Bermuda was immensely helpful in giving the book a realistic feel. However, I have to admit I had already visited Bermuda about 10 times. It is one of my favorite places to vacation and that’s why I chose that as the setting. But there’s nothing like being there.
Researching old newspapers was the only way I could get an idea of what was happening in Bermuda during WWII. But the book also has a contemporary love story so my past visits were useful in strengthening the setting.
Thanks for guest blogging with us.
What a fun post. Thanks for being with us, Cynthia. Love those pictures. I feel like I could write a cowboy story now, LOL. I like doing research on the internet. The “image” feature in Yahoo and Google can’t be beat. I once found photos of old, abandoned warehouses that helped me describe one in my story.
Love the title TEXAS TWO STEP. Good luck with it!
I agree. Talking, texting, tweeting, watching, etc. should all be considered research. How else are you going to get your notes, thoughts, and dreams into a published book? The more research, the better. You can never have enough. Congrats on the new release. Can’t wait to read it.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Cynthia,
Great to have you hear. Is there anything better than a man in boots and a big hat! Love the pictures. Cowboy stories will always be some of my favorites. Texas Two Step sound wonderful.
HI everybody! I’m a little late this morning. Yesterday’s Texas Two Step Release Super Party was a little wilder than I had thought. Whew. I was exhausted when it was over.
Hi Sandra! I know what you mean about doing “research” even when you aren’t planning on writing a book! I might have tasted a couple of alcoholic beverages totally in the name of research.
Hi Maxine. I do hope you read Texas Two Step and let me know what you think! My dh bought himself a pair of cowboy boots after I sold Texas Two Step. He knows those drive me crazy! woo-hoo. Gotta love a man who “gets” me.
Hi Marilyn. I have always wanted to visited Bermuda. I am envious of your research trip. I’m glad you enjoyed my pictures. Let me say that dh (who obviously gets me!) bought me a new camera for Christmas so my rodeo pictures would be better!
Hi Lindsey. I took a class with Lani Diane Rich on story plotting. That’s where I learned about the google image feature. I use it ALL the time too. Invaluable tool when trying to envision something. I’ve used it a lot for writing my next book.
Hi Susan. I love contemporary cowboy stories too! But I’m reading a historical cowboy book right now, so I’m thinking I just like cowboys. LOL Thanks for leaving a comment.
Cyndi, I’ve never been to a rodeo, which is weird, because I’ve wanted to for a long time. One of these days… And my dh has cowboy boots, too.
I recently drove 40 minutes to a town with a similar population as my fictional town in order to get an idea of the physical layout. It was very helpful.
Hi Edie! Thank you SO MUCH for letting me give Cattitude away. It is such a cute book.
I took my hubby to rodeo last year. It wasn’t until we were there that I discovered it was his first rodeo ever! And he’s no spring chicken. LOL
Thanks for coming by and leaving a message
Hi Joanne! Somehow I missed your comment. EEK. So you’re saying life is research. I love it. Now to figure out how to put that on a tax return. LOL Thanks for coming by
Hey Cynthia!!! LOVE the post. I’m originally from Wyoming so I have a few of those cowboy pictures tucked away.
I don’t think people realize just how physical those Ranch Rodeos are. Lots and lots of bruises, but lots and lots of fun to be had by all.
So far the craziest research I’ve done is skydiving. Of course, I was instantly hooked and now can’t wait to do it again.
I’ve also gotten up at 1 am my whole Thanksgiving vacation to go to work with my SIL to learn about the bakery business for my book, Drool Worthy. Was definitely worth it (and I’m not just talking about those fabulous muffins she makes).
Major congrats on the new release. The book looks awesome and I can’t wait to read it.
Oh and how do I get some of those trading cards? I’m a huge trading card fan and even have my own photo book for my romance trading card collection.
Best of luck on your tour!!! I know you will do great. How could you go wrong with that cover…
Tami
Hi Tami! First, I enjoyed working with you during my time as PRO Liaison. You were an awesome asset.
I want to read Drool Worthy. I’d love to own a bakery. I love to bake. When does that come out?
As far as the Romance Trading Card, send me an email with your mailing address. I’ll get it in the mail pronto. Did you pick up one of the boot-shaped bottle openers at RWA National last summer?
And my cover! OMG! Isn’t is excellent!
Cyndi -
Okay – I have to get out there and get my copy of Texas Two-Step. Where would you prefer I buy it??
The funniest thing about my research is when I lived overseas, some of the strangest sites would be blocked for “Inappropriate Content” – LOL. I could never access the Passionate Ink website either
.
Hugs,
Kelsey
I’m not surprised about the “inappropriate content” response.
Where to buy…right now cheapest at Samhain Store. $3.85 and you can get it in any format. Transferring to your ereader involves a cable link to your reader.
However, if you read via Kindle or Nook, be easier to get on your reader directly from that bookstore.
Thanks for coming by. Let me know what you thought about TTS!
Hi, Cynthia!
Love the cover, love the premise. Texas Two Step sounds awesome. I wish you much success and many, many sales.
I attended a rodeo when I lived in Texas. I believe it was in Mesquite. Fun time!
Was this rodeo you attended here in Arkansas or elsewhere?
Hi Carol/Annie
These pictures are from a ranch rodeo in Oklahoma and a PBR in Florida.
Thanks for loving my cover. It’s so AWESOME! Since I didn’t design it I figure I can brag on it.
I haven’t been to a rodeo since I moved away from Oklahoma after college. I love those boots! I’m glad you had fun.
Hi Stacie. Those boots are RESEARCH. I swear. That’s the only reason I bought them. You believe me, right?
Hey, PF&HT girls!
Had to stop by and say howdy to Cynthia….
Cynthia – LOVE the boots! Took me a while to see them because I had to stop a few times on the page to…umm…do some research….
But definitely LOVE the boots!
Hi Barbara! Yeah, sometimes research can be fun, huh?
And with what you write, my pictures were good for your research too, huh?
Cynthia – yes, lots of fun!
And you’re right–those pictures were just perfect for my research. Thanks a bunch!
I thought I recognized and Oklahoma rodeo… I have loved cowboys since Roy Rogers..darn that Dale Evans… Ree Drummond has some awesome rodeo photos.. her hubby in chaps is a sight to behold..
Hi Cate. And h*ll yeah on MM in chaps. (wipes drool off chin) Have you been to the Oklahoma ranch rodeo? Quite an experience!
Thanks for coming by and leaving a message
Cowboys are just yummy in my humble opinion. I am not a writer so I don’t really have an answer to the research question. I do however agree that you need to do plenty of research and I am volunteering to keep you company so you don’t have to do it alone. Since the cowboys stick together so should we…lol
musicalfrog at comcast.net
That’s quite the cover you have there! Reckon if I decide to write a book about cowboys, I can get a pair of new boots, too?
Hi Sally. I’m pretty sure that there must be a requirement SOMEWHERE that says an author must be wearing a pair of cowboy boots when writing cowboy romance.
At least that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!
thanks for coming by and leaving a message
Hi Patti. I ALWAYS drag my girls along on these rodeo outings. For some unknown reason, my hubby doesn’t appreciate the beauty of a cowboy butt in jeans! Go figure.
Thanks for coming by and leaving a message
comments on this blog are closed for the Faithful Follower Contest.
The book winner is PATTI P
Congrats