If you're not already using Google Alerts to let you know whenever your name shows up on the Internet, now would be a good time to start. I get kind of a kick out of it, and set up an alert for my husband's name as well. Unfortunately, there's another guy out there who shares his name, and I need to weed things out from time to time.
Recently, I learned some other good uses for Google Alerts and wanted to share them with you.
Although the town in my manuscript is fictional, it's very near Aspen, Colorado. As a native, I've been to Aspen a number of times, but I don't live there. Setting up an alert to receive links whenever Aspen is mentioned helps keep me on top of current community issues I wouldn't otherwise know about.
A major element in my story involves black market organ procurement, so I have an alert set up to send me anything related to organ donation. I can use this information to make sure I have current angles woven into my story, as well as developing news sources to refer to in my query.
In addition to Google Alerts, I follow associated agencies on Twitter.
As a suspense novelist, research is imperative and my ability to be accurate about important issues is almost as important as telling a good story.
CR: Deception by Randy Alcorn.
It's all better with friends.
