Goat Watching

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By Beth Carpenter

One of the most interesting parts of writing is the research. The internet makes it easier; in just seconds I can check the time of sunset on August 10th in Hilo, Hawaii or see a pictures and maps of the Acropolis. But even better is going there in person, to watch, listen, and smell.


For A GIFT FOR SANTA, I visited a reindeer farm.



For SWEET HOME ALASKA, I got to see the hanger where medical emergency flights are based.



The book I’m writing now takes place on a goat farm. Why goats? No reason in particular. I just like them. When I sent the proposal to my editor, she suggested adding a goat yoga scene. It seems she’d recently attended a session and had a blast. Now I confess, up until that point I didn’t realize goat yoga was a thing. I’d seen a few pictures, but I thought they were jokes. Turns out, goat yoga is wildly popular, and someone was even offering classes here.



So last Thursday, I went to a hotel on the outskirts of downtown Anchorage to watch two dozen people and a half-dozen goats on the hotel lawn. The goats seemed to be having just as much fun as the people hopping around and interacting with everyone. Being goats, they would occasionally decide to stick their heads through the fence (because the grass is always greener) or to nibble on someone’s tee-shirt, and one of the goat wranglers would redirect them back to the yoga. I smiled, a lot. And it was all in the name of research. I love my job.









Maybe my next book should involve an Alaska cruise. Hmm. If you could travel anywhere to research a book, or just because you’re curious, where would you go?

***


Some sparks last forever. 

But once burned…

World traveler Dr. Scott Willingham is known for being calm and levelheaded—except where Volta Morgan is concerned. In the ten years since they parted, Scott still can’t forget her. Now he’s come to Alaska to find Volta and finally let her go, only to find their attraction is stronger than ever. Can Scott leave her behind one last time…or has he truly found a place to call home?


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Comments

  1. Liz FlahertyJuly 25, 2019 at 7:17 AM

    I'm enjoying Sweet Home Alaska! For research, I think I'd like to go back to Ireland or to Scotland. What I'd REALLY like to do is take a several-week road trip through the US and Canada; however, since the roommate doesn't like traveling and neither of us is up for that long of a separation, I guess I'll stay close to Google and research vicariously.

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    1. Beth CarpenterJuly 25, 2019 at 9:27 AM

      I can see why you'd choose that. There's so much history in Ireland and Scotland, and such diversity across North America. I'd love to take that train trip across Canada to see the country without worrying about driving. So glad you're enjoying the book!

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  2. BamakimJuly 25, 2019 at 9:17 AM

    We don't travel as well as we used to but when we did I always made complete albums of maps, pictures, itenaries so I could go back and relive the trip later. I'm glad I did because they're wonderful reference materials.

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    1. Beth CarpenterJuly 25, 2019 at 9:30 AM

      Wow, that's wonderful! Other than a few snapshots in an album, my trip memories are scattered in drawers and boxes. I like to collect a Christmas ornament when I travel so when I hang it up each year it reminds me of that trip.

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  3. Leigh RikerJuly 25, 2019 at 9:34 AM

    I usually write a trip log. Then, along with the pictures taken, I have a good memory jog later on when I need that information. Where would I go next to "research" an area? Maybe Ireland, like Liz, which I haven't visited, if I could find a way to put that in a book! Or, Australia--which I already did.

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    1. Beth CarpenterJuly 25, 2019 at 10:04 AM

      I think you and Liz should go to Ireland together!

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  4. Patricia BradleyJuly 25, 2019 at 6:23 PM

    I'd love to go back to Israel! Or go to Ireland. I'm setting my next series on the Mississippi Gulf. Love your goat scenes!

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    1. Beth CarpenterJuly 26, 2019 at 9:15 AM

      I'd love to see both of them as well. Mississippi Gulf sounds intriguing. Can't wait to read about it.

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  5. Rula SinaraJuly 26, 2019 at 6:43 AM

    Beth, I love those pics! I JUST DID GOAT YOGA 2 DAYS AGO!! So serendipitous that I come here and you've posted on it :). A friend of mine is a yoga instructor and she held a goat yoga session at our county fair this week. It was AMAZING! I love animals and doing yoga with baby goats (they were about 6 weeks old) was an experience I'll never forget. They were sooooo sweet! Pure love. And since yoga is about grounding, relaxation, stress release, doing it with sweet, baby goats was perfect. I can't wait to read your book!!

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    1. Beth CarpenterJuly 26, 2019 at 9:19 AM

      That's great! The goats I watched were adorable and funny. One cuddled up to a woman, and she stopped her yoga and just sat, stoking the goat and smiling. Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time.

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  6. Elizabeth MowersAugust 3, 2019 at 6:55 AM

    That is so funny that goat yoga is a thing. I know a tons of people who would love it too!

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