Irn Bru

So, here's an example of fun things you can discover whilst doing novel research.

Google search terms: What was the most popular orange soda in the Uk during the 1980s?

Answer: Irn Bru

Irn Bru is basically Scottish Mountain Dew. Same horrid color not found in nature (though Irn Bru is orange and traditional Mt Dew is uh, 'green.') Irn Bru has ads like this:



I think we can all agree that's pretty awesome.

Here's the excerpt that features it. Just a little something somethin' to keep you all following this trail of breadcrumbs a little farther:

“It’s summer, Coren. You have to have orange soda in summer.”

Coren looked at him like he was talking total rubbish. Ashrinn wished for the radioactive orange Irn Bru he’d guzzled as a kid, but he supposed Stewart’s would suffice. They stood on the front porch of their home, and Coren, leaning against the doorjamb, had his arms folded over his chest. Ashrinn could see in his posture that his son didn’t want to be placated. Still, the boy relented and took the bottle.

Boy? Holy spirit, he’s seventeen.

Now there was a sobering thought.

He shot his son a sidelong grin. He did his best to fold in to a sitting position on the front steps. Coren bent to steady him, and Ashrinn tried to feel grateful instead of helpless. Coren sat too, his shaggy hair flopping in his eyes.

“Though maybe it should have been Mountain Dew. It’s closer to Irn Bru than that.” Ashrinn said.

“Is that some Brit soda?”

“Yes. The only consensus on the flavor is that it tastes like Irn Bru.”

Malkai (MC 2)

Here's a little character piece for one of my MCs that I thought I would share with you all. (Boy, have I been writing with Vivien Weaver too much. (Not really, too much isn't possible!) Pretty soon I'll be saying might could. Anyway, here it is:


once a year we'd go see grandma and grandad in amarillo, and I'd be so excited because that meant we could stop at the Stockyard and get the best chicken fried steak I'd ever had. I mean, I know now that it probably wasn't that good, but it made me feel so grown up when I was little, being around all those real cowboys. Always had to have extra gravy.

A little author indulgence

“They have an arms dealer?” Mal said. Now that was interesting.

“Some redneck in a wheelchair and his brother,” Ashrinn said, “they got arrested a couple of weeks ago. Damage is done, though; the Cult is as outfitted as any terrorist militia.”

Where's the funny? Right here.