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ICQ Chat Save
file
Started on Sun Jul 25 00:26:04 1999
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<DaveC> Casey, I'll be right back. Don't go
away.
<Casey> I'll be here for the next 2 hours.
<Casey> Hello, Rose! It's good to see
you.
<shorty103> wow! this new chat program by ICQ
is really different.
<Casey> Isn't it?
<DaveC> Is this the latest and greatest
Icq, the one they ask me to
download last week and Zentao said wait.
<shorty103> why wait, is there something wrong
with it? Dave
<Casey> I don't like it, Dave. From a
system operator's perspective, it's
terrible.
<Casey> I'm attempting to get an older version
of ICQ back on this machine.
<DaveC> That's what Zentao said. Zentao express
reservations about the bugs
it "might" have.
<Casey> Tonight, I don't have a grammar lesson
planned (shame on me!), so
I'm going to begin with tonight's topic
instead. Which is "Research."
<Casey> Research is the staple of nonfiction
writers, but is frequently
necessary for fiction writers, as well.
<Casey> Have either of you done any research
for anything you've written?
<shorty103> sort of
<Casey> Your story is based on fact, so your
research was lived.
<DaveC> Yes, much research for "Children
of the Earth."
<Casey> So, what kinds of research are used by
fiction writers?
<DaveC> What was the research issue?
<Casey> We're discussing research in
general--as used by writers. Fiction
writers, in particular.
<Casey> Although most of the sources I used in
gathering info for this
class were directed toward nonfiction writers.
<DaveC> I use two basic sources: 1.
encyclopedia 2. Internet
<shorty103>It depends on what the story is
about depends on the amount of
research one has to do.
<Casey> That's true, Rose.
<DaveC> Fiction still needs a realistic touch,
particularly scifi writing.
<Casey> Frequent research needs are to verify
medical (including
psychological) or legal situations of characters,
<Casey> To maintain historical accuracy where
that's an issue
<DaveC> Scifi, medical I feel would be more
important.
<shorty103> yes it does Dave, but sometimes how
do scifi writer find the
far off place, and what place on this earth do they
find something that
show them a little of what they are writing about
<Casey> At some point in our stories, our heros
usually get beaten up,
shot, cut, etc.
<Casey> We need to know how to deal with their
injuries--and what is too
much.
<shorty103> I hope that made sense.
<Casey> Physics can answer or assist with many
of our created scenes.
<shorty103> yes, so can tarot cards for any and
all characters
<DaveC> Timing My feelings, particularly
after writing "Breakheart" is
that you can over do the historical, mechanical, etc.
The reader gets
bogged down in what you are saying. In this
case I described how to start
a fighter jet in detail, ended up taking it out. No
one was interested.
<Casey> When I created my demigods, I found a
book that assisted with their
authenticity.
<Casey> True, Dave.
<Casey> You must pick and chose what details
will interest readers--what
are pertinent to the story.
<kissfan> yes
<DaveC> Right now, I'm writing a section in Joe
Olive which takes place in
an emergency room. I talked to a doctor to get
the "bare" essentials that
would take place with such an emergency.
<shorty103> interesting Dave
<Casey> People ask if it's possible to do too
much research.
<shorty103> I looked at a web site that told me
about the Reversing Falls
here in town, but I found that information after I
gave up the story
<DaveC> Never too much, Casey. But it doesn't
all have to show up in the
book. Just being able to talk (write) with some
knowledge of the subject
helps make it real.
<shorty103> that is so true Dave
<DaveC> That's where I was making mistakes in
my second novel, TOO much
info, not enough action.
<Casey> Exactly, Dave. I did a tremendous
amount of research on the
desert, but it was all scientific info, for the most
part. I couldn't get
a true "feel" for the locale. Finally
I found one book that brought the
rest of the research together and made me understand
what I was dealing
with.
<kissfan> I am having that problem now
<DaveC> Exactly. Think what it would have done
for you if you could
actually visit a true desert.
<Casey> I still hope to, one day.
<Casey> Meanwhile, for physical descriptions, I
collect photographs of
deserts.
<shorty103> well, what happens if the kind of
research is in you head, from
your travels, How do you remember what's what?
<DaveC> Kathy, trust me, take it down to bare
minimum. Use action/ dialogue
to do the rest of any explanation you need.
<kissfan> thank you that will work I do too
much info dumping and not
enough action
<shorty103> and there is no pictures to help
you remember this
<Casey> Excellent point, Dave.
Incorporate all your research knowledge (or
the pertinent parts), into the things your characters
do.
<Casey> Let the info be revealed as a matter of
course, not as an aside
mini-dissertation.
<DaveC> Rose, in my opinion, it is the feeling
you have from the memory,
not the actual description. Therefore, write
how you felt. Does that make
sense?
<DaveC> Casey, exactly. It is hard to do, at
least for me, but I am
learning with each novel.
<shorty103> yes, but it was so long ago, the
memories are fading, and it's
not a lack of trying to remember
<Casey> Dave gets to the heart of why we
write: the passion we feel toward
our characters and their story.
<Casey> Rose, your story should not be an exact
replica of what you lived.
<shorty103> yes, I see that, Why can't he
be here in my house for awhile,
I could use all the help I can get, and yours
Casey is much appreciated
<Casey> Make up the parts you don't remember.
<shorty103> yes, I do understand that, but the
main points I wanted to say
are still fading
<Casey> You've written down those main points,
right? Just in a listed
way?
<DaveC> Try this. I'm for real. Just before you
go to sleep tonight, think
of the place you want to be, think about the smell,
the texture of the
ground, anything. Dictate the thoughts you remember
to yourself and go to
sleep. Wake up the next morning with a whole new
feeling about the place
remembered.
<shorty103> that is a great exercise Dave, I
will try it
<shorty103> no I haven't done that way Casey,
but a very good point.
<shorty103> I will try that too!
<DaveC> It has been 10 years since I crawled
into and strapped on a
fighter, but I can still smell the jet fuel, burnt
rubber, electronics
warming up and a million other things, yet I doubt I
could start a Harrier
today.
<Casey> That's letting your subconscious do the
work, which is invaluable.
<shorty103> that is very interesting, how some
things around remind you of
that time in one's life
<Casey> It's amazing what your mind can produce
for you when you pose
yourself problems or dilemmas. And right before
sleep is a great way/time
to access your subconscious.
<kissfan> I am trying to capture the Gallic
wars for my novel and even
though there isn't much info on the subject, on the
side of the Druids it
is hard for me to get but I still sense the feelings
and see the carnage
that happened during that time.
<DaveC> Exactly, Casey. It works for me in
wondrous ways. The latest novel
I'm working on was a bloody dream. Woke up with Joe
Olive locked tightly in
my brain housing group. It just keeps rattling around
in there, and will
till I get it on paper.
<Casey> Kathy, war is war (except for the
details of geography and the
names of leaders and specific maneuvers.)
<shorty103> now is where the story question
comes into play, or the story
goal
<DaveC> Kiss, that's great. If you can feel the
carnage, see the blood,
smell the vaporized ozone you all but got it whipped.
<kissfan> true
<Casey> There are diaries and first-person
accounts that will give you the
first-hand feeling of war.
<kissfan> yes but I find I am still doing a
mini history lesson LOL
<shorty103> or am I way off base
here!
<Casey> There again, the dairies might
help. Read one, and see what
details the individual notes. He won't lay out
the entire history of why
the war began and who fought it, most likely.
<Casey> It might help you narrow down your own
focus and details.
<DaveC> Kathy, if you need help with war,
particularly airborne war, I'll
be happy to give you what I can. I spent 3 1/2 years
in Viet Nam. Saw more
than I want to remember, but I use it and will share
it.
<kissfan> thank you
<kissfan> the thing is that this war was fought
with the Romans and the
druids centuries ago
<kissfan> that is what I am working on Casey
<DaveC> Casey, I agree with you on war, but the
maneuvers thing is what, we
as writers, can change. We can make up weapons, but
they still kill, it is
how and when we use them in our story that is
important.
<Casey> Where leaders are mentioned, it might
be a complaint about how such
and such was/is being handled.
<Casey> That's how historical events can be
sneaked into the story without
it sounding like a history lesson.
<DaveC> Kiss, okay, using what we have
discussed, what is different about
your war?
<DaveC> The druids have always fascinated me.
Could you work in their use
of their connection with nature to enhance the war
story?
<kissfan> I am. I follow the Druids in my
story Mainly one family
<Casey> The Crystal Cave is an excellent
example of historical events and
religious beliefs woven into a totally gripping
story.
<DaveC> Rose, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be
overbearing. This subject just
happens to be one I'm struggling with as well.
<shorty103> that's okay, you need to ask this,
so go right ahead
<shorty103> in a way, I'm learning something
about research, and the how
important it is to ones story.
<Casey> The Crystal Cave is about Merlin, so
its timeframe isn't terribly
far from your timeframe, Kathy.
<DaveC> Kathy, if that is your story thread,
then you can develop it most
anyway you like. No one really has any idea what
special quality the Druids
had, it is all conjecture. Wow, what a way to develop
a story.
<kissfan> exactly and their history is really
lost to us since they had no
real written language
<kissfan> I love stories about Merlin and that
time I think that is why I
write about it so much
<Casey> Which, in many ways, makes your writing
life easier than if you had
books and books of historical documentation.
<DaveC> Exactly! So what you need in research
is what the Druids believe,
or what we think they believe, then develop that into
what YOU think they
might have done in a war, using what knowledge we do
have.
<kissfan> Yes that is exactly what I have been
trying to do I have even
used the memories of my characters to pull in
some of the details of what
happened
<shorty103> I loved the movie, it was just
called Merlin, It was a time of
make believe, I just can't remember the spelling for
the word I'm really
looking for. LOL
<shorty103> it starts like fan...
<Casey> Maybe it's helpful to list some of the
ways of sneaking in factual
info.
<Casey> Kathy's named one: character's
memories.
<Casey> How else?
<kissfan> how about someone telling about a
battle that they witnessed
<DaveC> I find memories difficult. They end up
being info dumps, and that
isn't good. Still, if you can work them into a story
without sounding like
info dumps, they work great.
<kissfan> yes that is exactly what has happened
to me now I am weeding it
out
<shorty103> so for me, write down what I
remember and then work it into the
story gradually.
<DaveC> Kathy, that's the key. Making the dump
sound natural. (Never ever
start with, "you remember, " or
"as you know." Sure to turn the reader
off, cause they see an info dump coming/
<Casey> Memories are better handled in bits and
snatches. Like, He looked
at Mother and tried to picture her being 12 years old
when Hiroshima
(spell) was bombed.
<kissfan> I never start with those words
<DaveC> Casey, that would work. Great analogy.
<shorty103> Casey, how would class my writing
that you have read?
<shorty103> or is there a word to describe it?
<Casey> Rose, when I read your writing, I want
more details. Both in what
I'm "seeing," (physical description) and
what your characters are
feeling/how they're reacting.
<Casey> Your story's greatest strength is in
its emotional impact on the
reader.
<Casey> Another method of getting in factual
info is through description.
<shorty103> yes, I am working on that, but I do
find it hard sometimes when
I can find the right words to describe the feeling I
had at that time now
that it has aged ( the information) what i have
gone through
<Casey> Let's try an exercise. Everyone
write a brief paragraph of
description that includes factual stuff that might
have been learned
through research.
<Casey> i.e., that includes information
completely unrelated to what the
character is actually seeing.
<shorty103> ?
<shorty103> does it have to be on the story we
are working on?
<Casey> No, it doesn't Rose.
<shorty103> okay, thanks
<DaveC> Dave leaned forward to switch his DDI
to forward looking radar.
Sweat poured, like a river, from under his helment
making his oxygen mask
slip to his chin under high g loads. Still, this was
his last chance. If he
couldn't shake the bastard on his six, it was
curtains. He slammed the
power to 100%, and pulled the stick straight back to
his lap. It was the
beginning of a phisbury flop. His last chance.
<shorty103> As the tides meet, a whirlpool
begins to take over the center
of the falls. I stood there in amazement.
I saw the water rise two feet
higher where the whirlpool was. I grabbed for
my camera, " what a shot! "
I yelled.
<Casey> The ridge gave a clear view of the wadi
and the opposing cliff.
Kayarra looked for the trees with the long, slender
leaves that only grew
near ground water. Failing to find any, he
turned his sights higher, to
the cliff. No hanging gardens broke the
sandstone and granite face. There
was neither ground water nor seepage in this
area. They'd have to keep
moving.
<Casey> Good descriptions!!
<shorty103> so I did good on that one Casey?
<Casey> And both combine action with the
physical descriptions. Very good.
<Casey> Yes, Rose, you did well.
<shorty103> okay, I feel better now. LOL
<Casey> Kathy's still busily writing.
<kissfan> The battle raged on. The
Druids, Screamed and ran towaard the
romans knowing that as they did so Many would
die. The Romans raised ther
swords an charged the naked warriors in blue
paint. They knew that it
would be an easy win. The druids hoped that the
magic that they had
performed before the battle would hold, Even as the
Romans knew for sure
that the trem Barbarians fit them more than they had
ever imagined. Their
swords clashed together as screms of agony filled the
air. Bodies fell,
and still the Druids kept coming. The Romans
knew that they were brave, or
mad.
<shorty103> I can see the boat that rides the
falls from here, and they
must be having a thrill of a life time. LOL
<Casey> Good descriptions, guys.
<shorty103> I tried! LOL and that is part
of being here is to learn
different ways of doing and thinking of things.
<Casey> I hope so, Rose.
<Casey> We've named memories and descriptions
as ways of revealing research
info, what other ways are there for including
necessary details?
<shorty103> dialogue
<Casey> Yes.
<kissfan> I was just about to say that Rose LOL
<Casey> But as with memories, dialogue must be
handled carefully.
<shorty103> true
<Casey> Characters shouldn't be stuck with
monologues describing what
happened to someone in depth.
<Casey> (or to themselves)
<shorty103> that is what I'm fighting with, to
make sure my dialogue is of
the character, not mine, but I can't help but put in
a little of me, as I'm
basing my main character on me.
<Casey> Don't worry too much about putting
yourself into your characters.
Your characters will be speaking with your voice--or
speaking for you.
That can't be helped.
<Casey> They will be expressing your opinions.
<DaveC> Nothing wrong with putting you in the
story, after all you're the
writer. You're allowed. Still, dialogue is the key to
most everything, in
the long run.
<kissfan> I think that a writer always basing
something of him/her selves
into the book that they are writing
<Casey> Absolutely, Kathy.
<shorty103> yes, I beginning to understand
those points you both have
mentioned. I still feel that what I am
saying is still not that great.
<Casey> One clarification on Dave's
statement: as long as the author is
invisible--speaking only through the characters.
<Casey> The characters can be the author, but
an author should not be
visible and present within a story.
<DaveC> Absolutely, sorry about that. Did not
mean to imply the author
should be visable. Just the opposite.
<kissfan> Yes I am finding bits and pieces of
myself in a couple of my
characters and I did it without even trying
<shorty103> I think that I put in too many tags
and that's not good either.
<Casey> There are pieces of me in each of my
characters--even the bad guys.
But no one character is completely me.
<kissfan> exactly
<shorty103> like he said, she said,
I just wish I could get a handle on
my characters like you guys
<kissfan> I do that a lot myself Rose
<Casey> Those are necessary, Rose.
Especially when three or more
characters are in the same scene.
<shorty103> yes, I do understand that, but I
still feel that there are to
many for my liking.
<Casey> You can effectively minimize tags only
where there are only two
characters talking.
<Casey> Clarity should be your first
consideration.
<shorty103> you did mention at one time,
that some of my dialogue could be
turned into narration. I'm still a little lost
on that one.
<Casey> No! I think I said that some of
your narration should be turned
into dialogue.
<shorty103> Oh, see, I even get confused of
what's what! LOL
<Casey> Where you might have written, "she
told me to leave the clothes
alone," (I'm making this up), have her say that
instead.
<Casey> "Leave those clothes alone!"
<shorty103> Casey, have we ever covered the
decussed story questions and
story goals?
<shorty103> sorry about the confused question
<shorty103> yes, I see the difference in that
statement
<Casey> Those have been mentioned in other
workshops. I don't think we've
devoted an entire workshop to them. Where we
discussed motivation probably
came closest to those topics.
<shorty103> okay, I thought I would ask,
I can even remember being there
for that one
<Casey> A character's motivation and a story's
intentions or goals are
usually very close to each other if they aren't the
same.
<Casey> They intertwine.
<shorty103> yes,
<Casey> (Speaking of the protagonist, that is.)
<shorty103> I was reading an article and it was
saying about the 'beast
behind being greater that the ' beast ahead'
<shorty103> meaning, the beast ahead is the
goal of the character.
<Casey> It's easier to understand in anecdotes.
<Casey> Take the kidnapping of a child.
<Casey> The parent can call the police and let
them handle the case, but
what are the consequences of doing that?
<shorty103> that's right, by using that as an
incentive for a journey the
father is taking, he has cause to conquer
something in order to save his
kidnapped child
<Casey> There's a time factor involved.
The longer an investigation drags
on, the greater likelihood the child could be found
dead.
<Casey> The parent knows more people the child
knew, where the child hung
out, etc.
<shorty103> the beast behind is the kiddnapped
child, and the beast ahead
is the obstacle in front.
<shorty103> does this make any sense
<Casey> The beast behind is the likelihood the
child could be found dead.
All the obstacles ahead pale when the parent turns
around and faces that
fact.
<shorty103> yes, but what if you use the
obstacle ahead as a mountain, and
there is a dead person up there with a map that the
kiddnapps want. that's
incentive for the father go climb the mountain to get
the map and save his
daughter
<Casey> One of the obstacles ahead could be
that a parent must risk his own
life. His decision to forge ahead is the idea
that he's had the
opportunity to live his life; his child hasn't.
His child's kidnap could
also be the result of something the parent did, so
there's guilt there as
well.
<shorty103> have I learned something new?
<Casey> Exactly, Rose. If the motivate to
climb that mountain is greed,
when the going gets very risky (life-threatening),
the appeal of money
loses its glamour. There are easier ways to
come into a lot of money
(playing the lottery).
<shorty103> I'm beginning to give a run for the
money, even though there
isn't any! LOL
<Casey> How did we get into a discussion of
character motivation?
<Casey> Back to research.
<shorty103> I don't know, I just asked a simple
question and we were off
and running
<Casey> Are either of you familiar with a
visual dictionary?
<kissfan> LOL
<Casey> he he!
<shorty103> no
<shorty103> but it was fun why it lasted.
LOL
<kissfan> not sure
<Casey> A visual dictionary is a book full of
pictures, with the parts of
the objects displayed named.
<shorty103> interesting, now that's a new
trick! LOL must try that
<Casey> Say, there's a picture of a
castle. The visual dictionary points
out what part of the castle is a turret, a moat, the
drawbridge, etc.
<Casey> It's great for writing descriptions.
<kissfan> Yes I can see where it would be
really great
<Casey> It lends authenticity to your
descriptions without having to do
cumbersome research into castle construction.
<Casey> You can sound like you know what the
heck you're talking about.
<kissfan> this is true Casey it is like a short
cut for research
<Casey> It IS a great short-cut in research.
<kissfan> exactly that is what I meant to say
<Casey> Think of this as a research
opportunity, Kathy. Real-life
experiencing that will come in handy in your writing
(somehow!).
<kissfan> Yes LOL I hope I can work it into
something HEHEE
<Casey> Everything comes down to attitude,
right?
<Casey> How would you use research in character
development?
<kissfan> Yes it does I am looking for spells
to control the weather right
now to research magic for my story LOL
<shorty103> yes, and that sometimes can be a
big thing. I just need to
find my writing attitude and then I'll be on my way
to a good story.
<Casey> lol! Excellent experience.
Think of the realism you'll manage in
your story.
<Casey> You're on your way to a good story
right now, Rose.
<kissfan> yep that is true since I have an aunt
with all the magical books
and herbal remedies I will be there tomorrow so this
could be fun
<shorty103> Oh no! research in character
development!
<shorty103> I need help on this one, I can't
seem to figure it out, or I'm
going about it the wrong way. (sigh)
<Casey> This isn't necessary for every
character, thank goodness, but for
significant characters, can create a depth and
realism that they wouldn't
have otherwise.
<shorty103> how do you find my character so
far, I know they need work, but
still are they coming across
<Casey> Kathy's characters are druids.
Okay, consider druidism as a
profession, or lifeway. What does a druid need
to know to be what he is?
<Casey> (I have a sketchy understanding of
Druids, so Kathy will have to
correct me if I make a wrong statement.)
<shorty103> I really don't know. I
saw Braveheart, does that movie
explain about druids?
<Casey> The Druids, from my understanding, are
nature-centered.
<kissfan> Braveheart depicts the warrior
class. Druids were the religious
class
<Casey> As such, they have an understanding of
astrology, maybe astronomy,
definitely of herbal remedies.
<kissfan> Yes they were
<shorty103> are they possive in what the
believed and fought to keep it.
<Casey> Anyone with strong beliefs will fight
to keep those beliefs--will
fight for the opportunity to practice and preserve
their beliefs.
<Casey> Preserve their beliefs by passing them
down to their children.
<kissfan> yes and the Druids had no written
history it was taught by oral
stories and by doing their tasks
<Casey> So, in order to create believeable
Druids, the author needs some
basic understanding of astrology, how planetary
movements are tied into
seasonal changes.
<shorty103> that's what I noticed within the
movie, but I know we are not
talking about the movie itself.
<kissfan> the pull of the moon for tidal
control and things like that as
well
<Casey> and how those planetary milestones
(like the solstice) links to the
agricultural milestones (like harvest), which
explains their significance
in the rituals they perform.
<kissfan> They also had to know which herb or
plant did what which brings
in botany
<kissfan> exactly
<kissfan> that is where we get the term harvest
moon and things like that
<Casey> Therefore: research for character
development.
<Casey> Exactly, Kathy.
<kissfan> What helps me is that I have been
studying these things all my
life and I am still learning
<shorty103> did they have a person who looked
after the health of each
community of druids, were there different clans, from
different areas
<kissfan> Yes they had people that specifically
took care of the sick and
birthed the children
<kissfan> as in midwives
<shorty103> so I was paying attention to the
movie! LOL
<kissfan> These people were the first doctors
and the drs of today have a
lot to thank them for
<kissfan> yes you were
<shorty103> LOL
<Casey> That your people used oral traditions
only leaves you relying upon
outsiders' accounts of what they've seen or heard
about Druids.
<shorty103> may I ask why you are writing about
this people? I do realize
that it is a very interesting subject.
<Casey> There might be some possibility of
taking one of these outsider
observations and using it as "rumors" in
your story.
<kissfan> exactly and the only written account
of the Gallic war was
written by Julius Caesar so it is quite biased
<kissfan> which I am working on
<Casey> Yeah, I'd say that would be a little
bit biased.
<Casey> Sounds like you've already done your
background history research,
Kathy.
<kissfan> and I have to try to turn things
toward the accounts of what the
Druids and Celts experianced since I am following
their side of things
<kissfan> I have through what I am learning for
my own use as well right
through the stories that I have been told about them
<Casey> Sounds like you've got a fascinating
story in the making.
<shorty103> well, I know you have a good handle
on things, I can see that
in the piece you wrote earlier.
<kissfan> I hope so. In a way I am going
way back through my family tree
since some of the druids were my ancestors LOl
<Casey> That's really cool!
<kissfan> thank you that was done so fast that
I hoped that it sounded all
right
<shorty103> now that even more
interesting. Way Cool!
<Casey> Museums can be a source of research.
<Casey> Especially for the Roman period.
<shorty103> all I know about my ancestors is
they came from Germany.
<kissfan> I just found that out through my
uncle since he took a trip to
Scotland and was told form the people there that the
Cloughs and Wildes
were both Druid families and I come form both on the
same side of the
family no less
<kissfan> Yes Museums are great
<Casey> "Wildes" sounds like it
should be a Druid name.
<shorty103> WOW! that's really neat!
<kissfan> you can actually see the Roman armor
of the period
<Casey> And the weaponry!
<kissfan> Yes we came from the highlands of
Scotland
<kissfan> true
<kissfan> and actual depictions of
battles
<Casey> When I go to museums, I always carry a
small notepad and write
descriptions (or draw sketches) of what I'm
seeing.
<kissfan> I do the same
<Casey> A note there, though: bring
pencils to write with. Pens make
museum guards and curators nervous.
<kissfan> yes very true LOL
<shorty103> I always forget to take something
to write with with me,
<kissfan> I also try to grab brochures too that
have pictures of what I
need
<Casey> I simply keep a small notepad in my
pocketbook at all times. Then
I never have to remember such things, which would
never happen otherwise.
<Casey> Yes, pictures are great research tools
for writers.
<shorty103> and when I do, I forget to write it
down,as I'm busy looking at
what I'm suppose to be writing ' notes' LOL
<kissfan> Always keep them in my backpack since
I have it with me all the
time
<shorty103> just call me Miss
forgetmeknot! LOL
<Casey> In a future class, I will address
sources of information, which are
too extensive to discuss this time.
<shorty103> that sounds like more a flower than
Rosemary, a very spicy
name. LOL
<kissfan> sounds good to me
<Casey> Character research can also extend into
the psychology areas as
well.
<kissfan> Rosemary is also used for healing LOL
<shorty103> well, I don't heal anyone!
LOL they may need to heal me
instead! LOL
<shorty103> sorry Casey, I'm in a funny
mood LOL
<Casey> I have a book on herbal remedies, which
explains how to prepare the
herb and its uses. I can not remember those
kinds of details.
<kissfan> I have several of those and so does
my aunt. If I don't have it
she does LOL
<Casey> I've no objection, Rose. We don't
ever stay on track every class,
anyway.
<kissfan> I bet your book also gives the best
time for harvesting each one
as well
<Casey> Sort of. It tells me things like,
"use only the new sprouts,"
which means springtime would be the best time to
harvest the plant.
<kissfan> for the best potence levels
<kissfan> yes with most books you have to read
between the lines
<Casey> We were discussing Research and its
uses in fiction writing, Gosh.
<Goshwin> ?
<Goshwin> (just a warning.. my connection is
not stable)
<Casey> Then you and your connection are as
one!
<Casey> (whoops! Sorry, Gosh.)
<shorty103> LOL casey
<Goshwin> Oh har dee har har
<Casey> Aren't you glad you joined us, now?
<Goshwin> Grumble grumble
<Goshwin> Storms in the area... knocking cable
and power off..
<Casey> Send them down south, Gosh. We
need the rain.
<Casey> The other research options are
generally more useful for nonfiction
than fiction.
<Casey> The internet's pretty much
revolutionized research.
<kissfan> This is true since I have some things
on the Druids on line as
well
<Casey> It saves us hours in a library looking
up the same things.
<shorty103> yes, it makes much easier to find a
place that one does not
have the money to travel to that spot
<kissfan> or the energy to walk to a library
<Casey> Are we any more productive than we were
before? Not in my
experience.
<Casey> Any questions or comments or
observations or personal experiences
from tonight's discussion?
<kissfan> I found out that a lot of what I have
studied on my own has
helped me with my research
<Casey> That's probably one of the reasons why
you chose the subject you're
writing about, Kathy. Because you're interested
in the material. Which is
great.
<Casey> You can write with passion,
knowledgeably, about your subject.
<kissfan> Yes I think so.
<shorty103> I know she can
<Casey> Do any of us write about something we
don't feel passionate or
strongly about?
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