In which we're talking migraines and Gypsies

From reader RobinsonCrrl: I'm almost finished with THE DARK ENQUIRY, and am really enjoying it. When Nicholes gets his migraines when trying to hold off visions, it is all written so well and believable, i was wondering if you had done any kind of research --not sure where--into the subject or had invented Syndrome out of whole cloth? If it is indeed your invention I think you are now the definitive word on Repressed Gypsy Vision Syndrome. And related to that, did you also research the life style and customs of different Gypsys and their way of life? I so enjoyed reading that part too--r
Hope you were in the air conditioning down here or on the beaches, but even then it's been super hot---or out at Animal KIngdom like last year looking out from your room at the animals.

Nicholas' difficulties are completely fictitious. I wanted to give him a physical condition that would add a bit of vulnerability and unpredictability to him. Loads of things--like malaria--would have suited, but I wanted something different. At the same time I was considering his touch of second sight, and it occurred to me that trying to keep back something of yourself always leads to problems. Repression often forces an issue to the fore in another area, and headaches of the most virulent variety seemed logical under the circumstances.

I have indeed done quite a bit of research on Gypsies--a truly fascinating subject, and one I try to be very respectful of. The challenge, of course, is that they very seldom write about their own culture and that anything outsiders write about them has to be questioned.

I was in Orlando--hanging at Animal Kingdom Lodge, actually. I had some meetings scheduled with animal experts that I will get to blog about later. It was VERY hot, but a cocktail on the balcony overlooking the giraffes made it bearable!