As the gif above suggests, I’m stuck in jury duty this week (or at least for today if I’m lucky enough to be dismissed early). I scheduled this blog post early, so you have something to enjoy while I’m suffering in the sheer boredom of sitting in a room with a bunch of strangers. In any case, I thought I’d share a few things I learned while writing Freddie & Taine’s love story — The Caretaker.

1. Welsh cursing is as creative as it is bizarre.  For example, Coc y gath (one of Freddie’s favourites) translates to The Cat’s Willy.
2. Welsh cheesecake contains no cheese. 
3. Sharpies can be used in fascinatingly naughty ways.
4. Maori folklore is both vibrantly rich and fascinating.
5. Nurses deal with heart breaking situations on a daily basis.

I think I learn something new with every story I write even if it’s accidental. I find myself falling into the trap of research. You know, you google something, and that leads you to about seven other things that have nothing to do with what you were trying to find in the first place.

Do you often find yourself learning new things while reading (or writing)?