ON-SITE RESEARCH: Author/Dolphin Encounters? Oh, Yeah!

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By Kathleen Pickering  http://www.kathleenpickering.com

My job rocks!

My dear friend, Heather Graham, won this amazing Dream Date with Dolphins from a fund raiser at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon Florida. Guess who she invited? 

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Yes, indeed. Yours truly. (This photo is dubbed: The Board Meeting)

Heather and I spent the entire day with trainer, Linda, and DRC director, Mandy, who took us through their daily routine with the the dolphins. OMG! You just know that an amazing experience such as this, as well as watching Heather transform into the proverbial Mermaid while swimming with these charming creatures, could turn into nothing less than on-site research.

You see, Heather has invited me to join her, and authors Beth Ciotta and Deborah LeBlanc to write a Christmas anthology slated for 2013. The characters will be in line with her Keepers series. That said, my search for a “Keeper” character who will transform from animal to human was easily found at the Dolphin Research Center.

005_5Between the dolphins, sea lions, peacocks, exotic birds and other aquatic life surrounding the compound, you know that I discovered my character for the Keepers anthology.048_48

But, I’m not telling. Not yet, anyway.

I really don’t have a question to ask you folks today, but would welcome your comments. If you’d like to talk about how lucky I am at my job, well, feel free. I heard Steve Job’s Stanford University speech back when he originally made it in 2009. When I heard him thumbnail[3]

then, I punched the air saying, “You’re so right, Steve!”  Up until around 2005, I had been sidetracked, and letting “stuff” get in the way of my dreams. But no longer. It’s amazing how, when you decide to live true, you world unfolds in ways you’d never expect. Hence, a dream date with a dear friend at the DRC, and what do I get? The character for my next book. Not too shabby, eh?

So, let me leave you with this last link to a day made in heaven. If you have ten minutes, you may enjoy viewing Heather’s and my first ten minutes of our dream date morning at DRC.  Click Here:

http://kathleenpickering.com/Dolphin_Videos.html

Yeah, we’re hooked.

Oh, and if you’d like to read an in-depth discussion of our fun day, visit Heather’s blog: http://thelipstickchronicles.typepad.com/the_lipstick_chronicles/2011/10/dream-date.html

Happy writing, one and all!

19 thoughts on “ON-SITE RESEARCH: Author/Dolphin Encounters? Oh, Yeah!”

  1. I, like you, am livin’ the dream, Kathleen! So thrilled to be on the Keepers Anthology with you, Heather, and Deborah. Dying to know about the ‘character’ you discovered via your DRC Dream Date. So enjoyed your post. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Wow! What an amazing opportunity to hang with Heather AND write an anthology with her.

    I am so thrilled for you. This post is absolutely charming. I’m already starting to imagine what human would be hidden inside a dolphin. Can’t wait to read this book.

    Thanks for sharing your amazing research trip.

  3. The dolphin center is pretty amazing, and Im so glad you found a character, too! You and Heather (and the dolphins) look like you are having the time of your life!

  5. Hey, Jordan–I highly recommend the experience!

    Yes, I am blessed in my friends. It’s humbling, to say the least.

    Not telling who/what my character is yet. Time will tell . . . 🙂

  7. I very nearly did that dolphin thing with my kids when I was in Florida last spring … till I saw the price tag. An extra grand meant I would continue to imagine what it would be like swimming with Flipper when I go fishing and watch the porpoises pass the boat.

    Still, one of these days.

  8. Wow girl! You look like you had the time of your life.
    As far as your success, I look at it this way. Good things come to good people my friend. And you are a good people!
    And it’s only just begun!!
    Good luck and a big hug!

  9. Wow girl! You look like you had the time of your life.
    As far as your success, I look at it this way. Good things come to good people my friend. And you are a good people!
    And it’s only just begun!!
    Good luck and a big hug!

  10. Basil—you might inquire at the DRC in Marathon, if that’s not where you went. The price is surprisingly reasonable. Sounds to me like you went to the Seaquarium in Miami.

    Thanks for stopping by!

  12. How amazing the dolphins were, and to think you gained a character (or two) in the process.

    Sounds like a dream! Oh, how I would love to experience what you did.

  16. Sandra–The DRC is there, just waiting for you. You’d be surprised at how reasonably priced it is at DRC to get up close and personal with the dolphins. It’s life changing!

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