Research can be deadly (OR) Why Scotland?

So, as I'm writing (yay!), I'm listening to a guided meditation.  There is a very calming voice in my ears telling me that I am intimately connected to the creative power of the Universe.I'm also looking at pictures of the Scottish countryside, because that's where the next part of my story takes place. Why Scotland? Why do American writers always go back to Scotland? I'll tell you why: because it's pure dead brilliant that's why. And if you've ever been there, you know what I'm talking about. It's been over 20 years since the summer I spent there, and it still pulls me back.My husband thinks I'm crazy. I'm sure he thinks it's just a nerd-fantasy thing, and yeah it's that, too. I'm a nerd, I like fantasy, so that's cool. But he probably wishes I would shut up about it -  the same way I get when people talk about football.But looking at the pictures helps me get in the mindset. Where my characters are, what they're doing, the topography they're traveling through. If I can see it in my mind's eye, I can follow them, and let them show me what's going to happen next. It also helps me focus.Why is research deadly? Because like so many other things - like blogging for instance (ahem) - it takes away from what I should be doing, which is writing.The searches, images, and learning more about the things in my story help me feel connected to what's going on in that world, as opposed to letting my mind wander back to the dusting and the laundry pile. Not to mention that it's Christmas and that puts a whole new spin on the lack of writing time. Even though research (er, Google) can be a deadly distraction from your daily word count, sometimes you just need to dump the everyday garbage out of your head before you can make way for your story. Don't overthink and don't be too hard on yourself.Thankfully, I'm making progress. I keep telling myself that all I have to do is keep moving my story forward, and it will tell me where it needs to go.So now I'm going to stop blogging and researching and get back to writing. Happy Holidays everyone.xoxo heidi.Enjoy some pictures of Scotland (click for source):http://www.flickr.com/photos/8184136@N05/4177776613/in/photostream/-- If anyone ever says to you, "Hey I've got an aunt who lives in Glasgow, you want to hang out for the summer?" Say yes.-- More Scotland info here.-- the meditation currently in my ears: click here.Merry Christmas.