Researching the Dingle Peninsula
The new book I’m working on, Slave to Her Desires, is set in the Dingle Peninsula of Ireland. We drove through the peninsula last August, and the scenery was just stunning. The mountains were literally purple with heather, and the roads barely wide enough for a single car to pass (one tour bus coming from the opposite direction nearly gave us heart failure). On one stop, we saw prehistoric stone dwellings that you could go inside. I left my husband and father-in-law to go take pictures of the coast while I wandered through the dwellings. They weren’t much wider than ten feet in diameter, but I was amazed to see structures that were literally thousands of years old.
I’m setting this new story near Castlegregory, where we stayed. The beaches were so beautiful, and the towns were a great deal of fun. I had to switch to a regular camera, and I think something went off with the film, but in a way, I think this photograph of the view outside our B&B is rather interesting. Can you sense the mystery?
So for me, this was the perfect setting to bring a broken hero to redeem a life of tragedy. I made him a slave, and he has a long way to go in this story. This is also my woodworker hero, but although he is amazingly skilled with his hands (wicked grin), he has a mysterious past. I am also going to bring in one of the later Viking invasions. Did you know that the Vikings had settlements all over Ireland? Dublin was the biggest settlement, but there was also a Viking presence in Waterford, Cork, and some other minor cities. Their ships did arrive in County Kerry, and there is a documented Viking landing on the Dingle Peninsula. I’ll be taking a few fictional liberties, but I think it will work for what I want. Truthfully, I’d love to spend a week in Dingle, getting more specific details. But I doubt they’d let me on the plane in my current condition! 
I’m about 81 pages into the book right now and I’m participating in the 70 Days of Sweat challenge where you write 4 or more pages a day. I did 7 pages yesterday and I’ve done 5 so far today. Last summer I managed to work my way up to 10-12 pages a day, but I think it’s like training for a marathon. You can’t go flying out of the gate right away–building up to it works better.
Only six more days until The Warrior’s Touch, book #2 in the MacEgan Brothers series, goes on sale at eHarlequin! Can’t wait. 
Have you ever been to the Dingle Peninsula before?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 8:23 pm | Viewed 4132 times
heidi dahlquist Says:
I havent been there but next Oct/Nov were spending a week two weeks in Ireland and I’m headed there. We are also going to see my family’s cottage(if it is still there) in County Down. I have a huge list of places we missed this past October. In summer of 09 were going to Scotland for two weeks. I cant wait to do all the research. Your pictures are beautiful Michelle! Good luck with the writing!
Lexi Connor Says:
Yes, I’ve been there and you’re making me want to go back right now!
beth Says:
Yay for book 2 - can’t wait!
As for Dingle, we loved it.
We wandered around Dingle (the town) for the better part of an afternoon and stumbled across an amazing little local craft co-op shop with works from all kinds of artists. We bought a sheep (it’s handcarved with real wool) and a little raku pot that was made using ancient Irish wood firing traditions (so probably not *technically* raku, cause that’s…Japanese?) And I’ve been kicking myself for 3 years now that I didn’t buy the other pot that I really wanted. That’s the worst kind of buyers remorse. 
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Those pictures are gorgeous!!!
Suzanne Says:
I love the Slave to Her Desires title!!!
Kelly Says:
“..a broken hero to redeem a life of tragedy.”
Now that’s a purchase! And I didn’t realize Book 2 was coming out so soon! I’ll keep a watch out at the bookstore. Congrats!!
Michelle Willingham Says:
Kelly–it won’t be in stores until September 1st, but eHarlequin sells the titles a month early.
I’m still excited about it!
Suzanne–I was worried the title was a little cheesy. But then, I never keep my titles, so I’ll let the editors worry about it.
Beth–when we returned on this last trip, I told my husband that I was definitely buying a sweater in the Aran Islands, and that was that. What he didn’t know was that I intended to buy him one, too!
Heidi–I’m so jealous! I would love to go back.
Tori Lennox Says:
Love the pictures!!!