At least half my writing time is spent researching. So for every hour I'm actually clicking on the keyboard, I'm spending another hour trying to figure out some tiny detail I need answered.
"But I don't want to be a vampire drone." Sophronia winced. "They'll suck my blood and make me wear only the very latest fashions." Petunia nodded in an I-know-more-than-you manner that was highly aggravating. "Yes. Yes, they will."
When all else fails, dress beautifully and throw your food.
I like to spoof the original Gothic classics, so there is also good dose of comedy in the 'Parasol Protectorate' - giggling readers are good.
As a field archeologist, one usually has to specialize in a particular part of the world or specific culture, whereas if one is a materials specialist, one can jump around to different areas. So I've had experience on excavations all over the place.
I consider science fiction and fantasy my genre. And I've noticed over the years that there doesn't tend to be a lot of lighthearted, comedic stuff.
