Coffee, espresso, and the rabbit holes of research

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I have been deep in the throes of research this week, but this is one of the best parts of the process for me. Even better? This particular research has heavily involved coffee. More on that in a minute, but first…

I might as well meld my coffee break into my thoughts this week, because we’re taking a deep dive into research about coffee. But, I will say that I finally tried matcha today—also in the name of research!—and I liked it, I think? I bought that concentrate that comes in a box, so it was a little sweet for my tastes, but I see why people order it. I also really like the color of it when it’s mixed with milk. Which is maybe a weird thing to say, but if you follow me on Instagram, you know I have a thing for greens.

I am currently about 2/3 of the way through writing a book about coffee. Well, it’s about a coffee shop owner, but you can’t do that and not talk about coffee. I decided, at the suggestion of my editor (THANK YOU, MEGAN, for kicking me into these never-ending rabbit holes, and if you get this manuscript on time, it’s going to be a damn miracle) to make my male main character the descendent of immigrants. I picked Croatian immigrants because… well, I honestly don’t know why. It felt right at the time. This is such a tiny part of the plot, but it is a vital part of my character. He owns the shop now, and it’s failing because of the big-box-store-that-shall-not-be-named that recently opened up down the street. But his shop is part of his life. His first formative memory is running his hands through coffee beans. It’s in his veins. He can’t close it now. (The stakes!)

But, if you didn’t know (and I was only vaguely aware!) Croatia has a pretty intense coffee culture. Granted, this wouldn’t have been around at the time my character’s grandfather would have immigrated here, as most of Europe was destroyed in WWII and there wasn’t much in the way of coffee or other treats. But I’m finding ways to accurately work it in anyway, because this is the stuff I love—falling down rabbit holes of research and coming out the other side with a rich history and character backstory. (So, UGH, thank you for real, Megan. *eye roll emoji*)

I have pages upon pages of notes about Croatia, Croatian coffee culture, espresso, the history of espresso machines, and how my character’s grandfather likely made the first coffee he served in the shop, not only from these secondary sources (and more), but from a very dear friend of mine from middle school who is Croatian. I don’t know if she reads this thing (though she does read my books, so I am really praying I get all of this right), but I owe her a very huge, very real thank you, as well.

I’ve been joking around that I’ve done all of this just to decide my hero’s eyes are brown (not green), he has a much more distinctive Croatian surname than he did before, and the Faema E61 espresso machine his grandfather likely saved up to buy in the early 1960s is still in service at the shop. (They truly don’t make ‘em like they used to.) But knowing your character on a level this deep is, actually, something that comes across on the page. We all listen to or read author interviews where they talk about their characters and what they imagine for them off the page. If you’ve ever wondered if they make that stuff up, well, yeah they do. The characters themselves are made up. But it’s probably not done on the spot. Some of these tidbits come from deleted scenes, outlines, or research that didn’t make the final cut. And I often think what wasn’t printed is some of the most interesting stuff about the books I read.

So, in the name of research, I am about to be the proud owner of a Turkish coffee pot. I’m not even kidding. Kiss half-caf goodbye; I’m about to figure out how to perfect the art of brewing Turkish coffee at home.

Why would I do this? Because my dear friend has, in the process of this research, informed me that my coffee sucks, and now I want to try what she assures me is a far superior brew. I joked via text message that my husband and I use a French press, so we’re not total heathens, and I imagined her giving me the biggest side-eye of all time as she explained the art—and the point—of good coffee.

The point, dear readers, is not to guzzle a gallon and go. It is to sit, sip, and savor with friends. To find common grounds, if you will. I’ve always thought this was the point of coffee, which is why I incorporate it into every story I write. But, apparently, this all started with espresso. Or maybe it’s better with espresso? Unclear, but of course I have to try.

So, it was either Turkish coffee or a whole-ass espresso machine. I went for the Turkish coffee. Strictly for research, of course. (Just like the pictures of hot, Croatian men my friend and I traded back and forth were strictly for research.) In all seriousness, I need to accurately describe this coffee and how to make it. It’s the way my hero’s grandfather would have brewed it when he first came to America. It’s the way my main character still brews his at home when he has time, because that connection to his family and his past isn’t one he’ll let go of, even (or maybe especially) now that his grandfather and father have passed away. So I have to get it right.

And… am I going to also work it into a steamy scene?

I mean, yeah, obviously. Coffee is hot.

I’ve been doing research. That’s it. That’s the update.

But, of course, this has stalled the drafting process a little. It was either do it now or do it during the editing process like I did with The Write Choice. That was hard. This is hard, too, but it’s a little easier than waiting until the entire draft is finished. I feel like I’m on the cusp of a major realization here… something about doing research before I start writing? I can’t put my finger on it.

Not to fear, this draft has taken full shape in my mind, and I think the end of it will be a joy to write. I actually can’t wait! And I’m so excited for you to read it.

I am probably going to read everything Lyssa Kay Adams has ever and will ever write, and I could seriously listen to Andrew Eiden read the phone book. After last week’s realization that reading for fun opens my brain and allows me to rejuvenate my creativity, I’ve made it a point to have an audiobook for my commutes. Well, I bought Undercover Bromance with an Audible credit because I loved Bromance Book Club so much. And then I also bought the e-book because I didn’t want to stop reading when I got home from work. Needless to say, I really liked it. It had me giggling and gasping in my car as I was listening, and it was a truly enjoyable read. I don’t know that any of the others will fully live up to Bromance Book Club for me—marriage in crisis has a special place in my heart. But this one was super fun, and after I finished it, I immediately downloaded the next one in the series. I love these books so much!

That’s it for now! I’m excited to try to make Turkish coffee, and you know this all means I’ll have a fascinating coffee break next week!

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