Today we have a huge treat! Author Gina Conroy is giving us an exclusive peek at some of the research she did for her newly released mystery, Digging Up Death, AND is giving away an ebook copy of the novel to one commenter! Take it away, Gina!

When Research Becomes a Little Too Real

“I grab some cookies to snack on while I read, & next thing I know, there’s an autopsy happening. Well played, Ms Conroy. Well played. ;)”

This Tweet from Brandy while she was reading my autopsy scene in Digging Up Death got me thinking… do readers really know what authors go through to bring life to their scenes? In my latest mystery, Digging Up Death, which by the way is more symbolic than actually digging up dead people, there is one autopsy scene, a sort of turning point for my character’s growth and self discovery. In writing the scene, I wanted to evoke several visceral responses, but the problem was I never attended an autopsy and didn’t ever plan on it since I’m quite squeamish at the sight of blood let alone scalpels piercing skin! {SHIVER} But I knew in order to create a visceral response in my readers, I would first have to experience it myself.

So where does an author go or research without attending a live (dead?) autopsy? Why Youtube, of course! And to my surprise there were several autopsy videos to choose from. Yeah, creeping me out just thinking about it. Did I actually want to view an autopsy on the YouTube, nope, but for the sake of art, I did. And let me tell you the TV autopsy we watch on CSI and every other crime drama, nope, doesn’t cut it! Pun intended.

Like Mari Duggins in Digging Up Death, I was already disconnected from the autopsy via a second hand experience, but I knew how squeamish I’d be and more than taking notes on what I was seeing, I wanted to take notes on what I was feeling!

So I took a deep breath and pressed play. The naked body on the table was surreal at first as I took in the scene. So far so good… then the M.E. raised the scalpel and I raised my hand to my face peeking through my fingers like people do while watching a horror movie. As the knife pierced the skin, I noted the incision, then I noticed my emotions.

And they surprised me.

But I’m not going to reveal what I actually felt here. That would spoil YOUR visceral response when you read the autopsy scene in Digging Up Death. What I am going to do is offer one commenter a chance to win an ebook copy of the book so you can read and experience it yourself.

Writers strive to bring realism to our stories. Sometimes we can pull from our emotions, other times we have to step out of our comfort zone and pull from Youtube. But in the end, if readers are pulled into the story and the emotion of the moment comes through, then it was worth it, even watching an autopsy through spread fingers.

From the Back Cover of Digging Up Death

To unearth a killer, you have to get your fingernails dirty.

Archaeology Professor Mari Duggins is adjusting to life as a single mom, but she’s caught between the pull of her former flame and her ex-husband. When her colleague is murdered and her ex is accused of stealing an Egyptian artifact, Mari interferes in the FBI investigation, compelled to prove the innocence of her children’s father.

Soon she is buried deep in suspects. Her old flame, her student and tenant, the office secretary. No one is who they appear to be, and she begins to wonder where her loyalty and true affections lie.

Mari Duggins’ life caves in as she tries to excavate the truth, but realizes only God can dig her out of the hole she’s created. Will Mari sort through her muddled feelings and put her trust in someone else? Or will the truth bury her alive?

Digging Up Death is available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and coming soon to Kobo and iTunes!

About the Author

Gina Conroy used to think she knew where her life was headed; now she’s leaning on the Lord to show her the way.  She is the founder of Writer…Interrupted  where she mentors busy writers and tries to keep things in perspective, knowing God’s timing is perfect, even if she doesn’t agree with it!  She is represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary, and her first novella, Buried Deception, in the Cherry Blossom Capers Collection, released from Barbour Publishing in January 2012. Digging Up Death is her first full length mystery. On her blog Defying Gravity she chronicles her triumphs and trials as she pursues her dreams while encouraging her family and others to chase after their own passions. Gina loves to connect with readers, and when she isn’t writing, teaching, or driving kids around, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter or on the ballroom dance floor!