Certain places sing to the soul, just as is true of books, music and art.  You could say these places are God’s artistic gifts, made just for me.  Or, you.  Which places do the singing depend on who is listening.

One of my places is the North Carolina outerbanks, and–I know this is gonna sound crazy–but I like the banks of a hundred years ago even better.  But, since I can’t visit them physically, I’ve decided to do it vicariously through my characters.  The banks of those days were untamed, filled with sun and sea and a hefty dose of danger.  What more could a writer want?

Well, how about a dash of steampunk, an apocolypse, seven girls marked by fate, and a pirate or two?  For those of you who follow this blog, you know what that means–I’m back to work on my Seven Seals books, and loving it!  Right now it’s mostly research.  I’ve picked up a few books on place:

• The Pirates of North Carolina
• The Outer Banks of North Carolina
• Solving the Mystery of the Lost Colony
• The Inner Islands
• The Coasts of Carolina

Plus three books on Ocracoke I’ve already read.  I’ve also got a smattering of books to help with the time period and general mood I’m going for:

• Sherlock Holmes
• The Temple and the Lodge
• Secret Societies
• Victorian Days
• Queen Victoria

Plus of course, any steampunk novels I can get my hands on!  Today I picked up Gail Carriger’s Soulless from the library.  I had to put in a hold for it and wait a couple weeks, so I’m excited for my reading feast tonight!  Clearly I’ve got enough books lined up to keep me busy for at least a day or two, but if you have any suggestions of nonfiction, period fiction or steampunk I should pick up, give me a yell in the comments!

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