I blame my heroine. In my current WIP my heroine decides that she needs a helicopter ride to overcome her fear of flying. So off I go like an obediant little author and write her the scene she wants. Next day, my brother-in-law who is training to be a helicopter pilot rings me up to see if I want to go for a fly. How exciting yes? Well, guess where my heroine got her fear of flying? Yes, sadly, from me!So, having written a wretched helicopter scene, I could hardly refuse an actual ride in an actual helicopter now could I? Especially since I've never been in one..
Talk about suffering for my art! Anyway, as you can see, the helicopter was tiny! It was a Robinson R22 for those who know/care about such things (and no, my daughter did not go with us - I could barely fit me and my jersey in there!).
However, I am pleased to report that despite little wobbles about how the wretched thing stays in the air and a few 'oh look, is that plane coming directly at us??' moments, it was fantastic! Flew right over Auckland and over our house (the roof is in dire need of a paint), and it's definitely a trip a heroine in need of getting over her fear of flying requires.
Have decided for my next WIP, my hero shall fly helicopters. Actually scrub that. The heroine can fly the damn helicopter. :-)
