My Suspicious Search History: The Dark Side of Fantasy Writing

9 Concerning Google Searches I Made While Crafting ‘The Legendary Guardians’

When I said I was writing a fantasy romance series with action, trauma, supernatural beings, and complicated emotions, I didn’t fully realize I’d also be turning my browser history into something that could get me flagged by the FBI…

Here’s just a small sample of the things I Googled while writing The Legendary Guardians: Reunions. Please note: I did it for the plot.

1. “What does a knife wound to the stomach feel like?”

Not because I plan on stabbing anyone. But you know…hypothetically…if someone did…and that someone happened to be fictional. Thank you, Reddit! You all were way too open and way too descriptive and I appreciated it all. Yes, I referenced it with medical articles…

2. “How much blood can you lose before you die?”

Spoiler: More than you think. Unless you're a main character. Then it's exactly the amount needed for dramatic tension and high anxiety.

3. “In general, what does getting shot feel like?” (I typed it like this, believe it or not.)

Apparently, it’s not like in the movies. Which is great, because my characters definitely aren’t getting shot just once. Thank you again, Reddit! Multiple people said the same thing with this one and it matched the medical journals and it was…eye-opening.

4. “How do people react to getting stabbed or shot?”

Answer: Pain. Shock. Existential crisis. Great material for chapter cliffhangers or shock factor, though I tried to keep it as realistic as possible which brought me down some pretty intense rabbit holes. I actually took some inspiration from a popular video game here.

5. “Are condoms necessary for non-human beings?”

Look, I write fantasy, okay? These are legitimate worldbuilding questions. Don’t judge me!

6. “How long can someone go without sleep?”

Turns out, longer than you'd expect. But it does explain a lot about the characters making deeply questionable life choices after sleepless days and multiple near-death experiences.

7. “Can trauma bonding morph into love?”

This was a deep dive into psychology, and yes, it made me a little sad. But also: hello, fast-track intimacy in emotionally catastrophic circumstances. In all seriousness here, it helped me write characters who connect quickly and deeply under pressure, and let’s be honest…there’s something powerful (and messy) about love born from chaos.

8. “Symbolism of ravens, doves, owls, and birds that definitely aren’t spying on you.”

I was already side-eyeing owls, but now I’ve learned I have EVERY SINGLE reason too.

9. “What does dissociative identity disorder feel like?”

Handled this one, and the others too, with research and care, but still, reading firsthand accounts had me spiraling into the emotional complexity of identity, memory, and trauma.

So yeah, writing this book involved crafting heartfelt connections, thrilling adventures, and also just casually Googling human anatomy and bird-based symbolism like it’s a normal Thursday.

If you’re into high-stakes emotional damage wrapped in Greek mythology and a dash of the Four Horsemen, The Legendary Guardians: Reunions might just be your next obsession. No blood loss required. (Unless you're a character. Then...good luck.)

If you’re now wondering what other questionable things I’ve Googled, or you just want to see an author trying (and often failing) to be cool on the internet, come find me on TikTok and Instagram @jf.monroe. I promise weird, chaotic vibes, behind-the-scenes book bits, and a surprising amount of caffeine-fueled honesty.

Curious about the book that launched this emotional rollercoaster?You can grab a free chapter of The Legendary Guardians: Reunions—and step into a world of reluctant heroes, ancient myths, trauma bonding, and a good dog who may or may not be the most emotionally stable character.

Sometimes, the best way to understand a writer’s brain is to read the story that hijacked it.

Until we meet again, on the page, in the comments, or somewhere between realms,

Until our paths cross between realms, 

J.F. Monroe