Brotherhood By Fire by Lindy Bell Book Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway! {Ends 11/12/22}

Writing Reality by Experiencing the Firefighters’ World through Research

Brotherhood By Fire was written with the goal of creating more cancer awareness with both the fire service and the public through an emotionally engaging story, but first, the book
needed to be relatable and realistic. In order to achieve that goal, firsthand research was
necessary. In order to gain that firsthand perspective, I attended the local Citizens Fire Academy where not only did I receive enlightening classroom instruction, but I especially benefited by getting to be in the fire station environment, riding out on calls, and observing firefighters and paramedics doing their work. It was interesting to research but it was also just fun hanging out with the firefighters.

I gained a lot of practical tidbits for my book from learning different games they play to see who gets to the dishes – luckily for me and unluckily for the station rookie, he won that honor the night they insisted I play with them. I also got to enjoy eating dinner with them and hearing the friendly banter that zinged back and forth across the table.

When the tones sounded though, everything became serious. I got to ride in the jump seat of the fire engine and how exciting it was to feel the rumble of the diesel engine through the floor as the station’s bay doors rolled up, the lights started circling and the sirens started. Pulling onto the street, traffic stopped in both directions and vehicles continued to move to the side as the engine and the ambulance picked up speed. It was a thrill and the firefighters were so gracious in filling me in on what was going on and what would be happening when we arrived. It was absolutely exhilarating and being able to relay those experiences through my book made the story so much more vivid.

I can happily say that I was able to use every bit of what I learned in writing my book and
numerous firefighters have contacted me to let me know I successfully captured both the fire
station environment and what it actually feels like to be a firefighter. I don’t think, as a writer, there can be any higher compliment from those who actually live what I attempted to capture in Brotherhood By Fire.

It was an honor and a privilege to be welcomed into the firefighters’ world. Many thanks
to them for their help in making Brotherhood By Fire so vivid and so real. I hope you enjoy
experiencing the world of firefighters as you enter through Brotherhood By Fire.