well, i finally got the nerve

[sparticle]

This book I am working on, a fiction novel about a firefighter, requires more research than just a quick reading of books.

So Wednesday, I got up my nerve and went to an actual firehouse and asked if they would help me with the technical stuff, answering questions and so forth.

They did better than that. They got permission for me from the City of Cleveland Assistant Fire Chief to talk to anybody at any house in the city. The only rules are, no names and no direct quotes, and don't say anything bad about the Mayor (long story, but the firefighters and I are of the same opinion, off the record).

Tomorrow I am taking my notebook and a supply of freshly baked cookies and going to spend a few hours asking all kinds of crazy questions at a local firehouse.

Wish me luck. I don't know why or how I got the nerve finally to do this. It's going to be fun. Even if I can't sell the book, I will learn so much. And if I do sell the book, I am going to donate a percentage to the firefighters' Families Fund for widows and kids of firefighters illed on the job.

This is exciting.