Several years ago when I struck up an interest in amateur astronomy, my passion for that soon became mirrored in some of my books. In the beginning, I took a basic “backyard astronomy” class at a local community college and used my dad’s old binoculars, which weren’t too bad, in terms of their clarity. (I even identified a few of the closer galaxies in them—a thrill for a beginner!) Soon my basic education wasn’t enough to satisfy me, and I joined the Rose City Astronomers here in Portland, Oregon. I purchased“giant” binoculars, specifically intended for stargazing—the kind sold in catalogues for telescopes. And I chose the binoculars instead of a telescope because I loved the flexibility in being able to sweep the skies, as opposed to staying “stuck” in one part of it. 

 

I also bought astronomy manuals, star charts, and the red-lighted flashlights for reading the charts.  (White light interferes with one’s night vision.) In time, I earned the Messier Binocular Deep Sky award for having identified 100 deep sky objects.  What a thrill! For several years, every summer, my husband and I attended the Star Parties in the high desert of Central Oregon, miles away from the closest town. The night skies there were breathtaking, especially the Milky Way with its myriad of glittering star clusters.The event, attended by several hundred other astronomy enthusiasts, also gave me the opportunity to schmooze with others who shared my passion. 

 

Well, I could go on, but the point is: I wanted to share my love for astronomy in my books as well, hopefully give my readers a taste of what it’s all about. And so in Her Sister’s Keeper, my most recent book with Books We Love, I’ve created a romantic scene where my heroine Logan R.N. and the sexy pediatrician whom she works with, are camped out together on a mountain hillside while they watch a breathtaking meteor shower. There, far away from city lights—plus the other campers--they ooh and aah at the trails of fiery light streaking through the dark skies. They also share kisses every bit as breathtaking.

 

After Her Sister’s Keeper, additional books with astronomy scenes followed, plus articles published in national magazines .  And I will continue to portray the splendor of the night skies in my writing—a celestial treasure trove, really—whenever the project seems right for that. 

 

So, if you’re planning on a writing venture in the near future, take stock of your passions and “write what you know”—even better, write what you love. Your readers will be glad you did—and so will you!

 

http://www.amazon.com/Her-Sisters-Keeper-ebook/dp/B007ULHBXQ/ref=la_B001JRZ0DU_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340391749&sr=1-1