Inspired by Kristen Lamb
+ Leigh K. Hunt
Researching
The Tattooist
So I have seen a few posts on various blogs, facebook statuses and twitter where writers give the world a glimpse into their google searches. I was mostly inspired by the post by Leigh. K. Hunt.
As a writer I tend to do a lot of research. I do it the old fashioned way by taking out library books. Believe me I have lived down my fair share of raised eyebrows by blue-rinsed-haired little old ladies at the check out counter. Sometimes I am tempted to ask them what they are thinking as they stamp my books of nefarious themes.
But I probably do about 60% of research with the help of Google. Google is my friend. Although sometimes that friend takes me to places I may not want to go. Did I mention I Love to research. When I get started with a new W.I.P (Work in Progress) it becomes both an obsession and an addiction to research. Let me preface this by saying, for those who don’t know me, I don’t write romance. I write about serial killers, unsolved murders and the paranormal.
Unlike actors who like to use The Method school of acting, it is unadvisable for a thriller writer to try this method to better get into their character’s minds. Unadvisable because it would mean breaking quite a few laws, committing crimes, having to evade the law by obtaining a false identity and skipping the country to some tropical island where nobody speaks your language (preferred), where cocktails are the preferred beverage (goes without saying) and where there is no internet (less likely to be caught by the law).
Although in the interests of being open and honest, I have placed my body in weird death positions to see if it is physically feasible to lie in that way. As I reread what I just wrote I realise how ridiculous my logic is because after all if you’re dead it does not matter if it is “physically feasible” to be in your death position.
I have been a thriller and crime reader since I can remember. For me the thriller especially gives the deepest insight into what makes the Homo sapiens tick and more importantly what makes the ticking manic enough to give into a darker nature. I follow true life crime stories too because of this same fascination. So naturally it was natural that I fell into writing about the darker side of human nature.
Of course by now we are all aware that every little thing we do online is seen somewhere by someone, usually a worker drone at some international alphabet lettered company. If you’re online, you’re not private. I have often wondered what people would think about my google history.
So first let me repeat that I AM A PARANORMAL THRILLER AUTHOR.
It is vital that in the interests of authenticity, I must know about what I write. Which is where Google comes in. Just like the saying: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”; Don’t judge this writer by her google search history nor by the books she chooses to write.
Let me ensure you:
I am sane.
I do not have mental issues.
I do not want to nor have I murdered anyone.
I do not keep a list of people who annoy me.
I do not own a weapon of any sort.
I do know how to take an intruder or person with bad intent down.
I do know how to take a weapon off someone.
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My Google Search History
Tattoos
History of Tattoos
Mythology of Tattoos
Tattooists
Serial Killers
Understanding Serial Killers
Serial Killers, Motives, Crimes
Profiling
Psychopaths
Sociopaths
Psychopaths vs Sociopaths
Narcissists
The Nature of Evil
Unsolved Murders
Buried bones
Homicide Investigations
CSI and Forensic Investigations
Autopsies
Psychics
Psychic connections
Psychic links
Paranormal
Future Foretelling
Clairvoyance
Twin Connections
Telepathy
Telekinesis
Buried Memories
Schizophrenia
Multiple Personality Disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Nurture vs Nature
Adopted Children
Being Adopted
Orphanages
Foster Homes
New Orleans
Crime in New Orleans
Old New Orleans
The History of New Orleans
New Orleans Mardi Gras
New Orleans Jazz
French Quarter, New Orleans
Convents
Catholicism
Streets of New Orleans
Famous sites in New Orleans
Food in New Orleans
Crime in New Orleans
Crime Investigation in New Orleans
Bayou
VooDoo
So what’s in your Google Search History?
Do you make the cut for any Big Brother Suspects list?
What is the weirdest thing you have searched for on Google?
Posts of Interest
Ink & Blood
A Tendency to Obsess
Kick-Ass Heroes. No! – Make that Kick-Ass Heroines
The Haunted, Voodoo & The Haunting Magic Cocktails
Books that I recommend to hide those weird search subjects from Big Brother:
I just recently found the books below and now I swear by them. I have not given up Google yet but these books answer so many questions about forensics in fiction, many I had not even thought of. Both books are in question/answer format. The questions come from fiction authors and the answers come from experts in the forensics/medical/criminal investigation/legal fields.
Highly Recommend adding these two books to your book shelf. Even if you are not an author the books are intriguing enough to keep anyone interested.
Forensics and Fiction by D.P.Lyle
More Forensics and Fiction by D.P.Lyle
Related Posts as suggested by my good friend: Google
Be Careful What You Google
Writing is weird and so are my Google searches
In Which I examine my Google Search History
One day my Google search history will get me arrested
It’s ok I’m a Writer
Kim Koning 
Love it! I know sometimes when I’m researching some topics via Google I from time to time will look at the door occasionally expecting the FBI to storm in and whisk me away. Between searches for the different stages of death (most recently approx. the length of time before rigor mortis sets in), various unsavory diseases, the amount of heat to produce certain types of burns and some other specific searches about different types of death (drownings, etc.), I’m sure I would trigger concerns about my sanity. I am for sure not a kind author to my characters, and have a very twisted mind, playing Alison Krauss’s rendition of “Baby Mine” while one of my main characters was getting beat — it just worked >_<. But definitely a much appreciated posting!
Loved the post, and the inside perspective to your search terms, and thoughts. I got thinking about the term weapon though… A weapon, may not seem to be a weapon until made use of in such a way that it temporarily redefines, or defines the items purpose, its potential to be, or not to be. Kim, you just may own many potential weapons, but between their history, and each ones future, none can be certain as to their outcome in such dilemmas, and thought. People have been killed for just brandishing a fork, and other such ordinary everyday object, it’s how they’re used that defines what a weapon maybe, although some items, objects, it is their direct intent through their design to be as such.
I appreciate this post SO much! As both a writer and a student who finds strange tangents whenever I’m researching a paper, strange google searches are a normal part of my life … I actually had to come back to read this a second time 🙂
Great post, Kim!!
Thanks Christy! 🙂
Excellent post, Kim. Thank you for sharing. I’ve often wondered about Google search history. How safe are we? I’ll check out the link ‘Be Careful What You Google’. I would add to your Google search history ‘False Memory’.
Glad to know you’re a safe person to deal with. 🙂 And I’m most impressed that you know how to take a weapon off someone.
Hi Irina. 🙂
Funny you mentioned False Memory. That was one I forgot to add into my post.
LOVE your post – and so glad I inspired you to write it! Those books are definitely something I would like to get my hands on.
Hope you are well, dear one! xxx
Thank YOU for the inspiration!
Those books are writer-must-haves.
I am very well. 2014 is a a Great Year.
Lotsa hugs xx
Big hugs to you too sweetie! Yes, 2014 is gonna be an awesome year!
Awesome post, Kim! Really enjoyed that 🙂
Hi Cass 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it!
What’s on your google search history? I am sure it would be a hodge-podge of Interesting. 😉
lol most of mine at the moment is home schooling stuff! I’ve been doing a lot of editing, and not a lot of new writing, so the need to research is a little less