In the spirit
of full disclosure, these are not things I’ve said aloud to other people. Except
my family. Hmm. Maybe that’s why all my kids have gone into math and science.
One. “I can’t
decide whether to use the word said
or told.” Nuances of meaning eat
hours of time.
Two. “Why
won’t my character tell me the truth?” Yes, I know the characters exist only in
my mind. I create them. But that doesn’t mean I know them. It takes a while to get to know them. And just like real
people, characters lie. Even to their authors. (And in case you’re wondering,
I’ve never used perception-altering substances. I was born this way. Wait…that
sounds worse.)
Three. “Uh,
the NSA doesn’t really monitor our Google searches, right?” I actually know
they don’t, because if they did…I’d be arrested. I mean seriously, I’ve Googled
everything from medieval poisons to how to make a murder look like an accident
to schematics for a dumbwaiter. (Okay, the dumbwaiter thing isn’t too
threatening, but I could be planting a bomb on a dumbwaiter.)
Four.
Speaking of arrests, another writer once said to me, “You know, if we got
arrested and went to prison, we’d have lots of time to write.” (I admit that
thought has crossed my mind too.) I pointed out that one isn’t arrested for
jaywalking, our most probable crime, and she agreed that it wasn’t likely we’d
get sent to prison—unless the NSA really does monitor Google searches. In the
meantime, I’ll keep juggling writing, housework, regular work, cooking,
ironing, etc.
Five. “I wish
I’d been shot in the thigh.” When one of my characters had been shot, I was
finding it hard to describe the sensation of a bullet puncturing the skin/muscle
and Google had only so much to offer, so I was wishing for personal experience.
Of course, the moment I wished this, I realized that had I been shot I’d be in shock
and probably wouldn’t remember anything. Sigh.
 |
| Since finding this image (courtesy of Wikimedia), I don't think #4 will ever cross my mind again, especially since I really like writing while lounging on my couch. |
Number one especially! Did my character walk, saunter or stride? I can't tell you how much of my life is spent on Merriam Webster's site trying to find the perfectly nuanced word when I'm revising.
ReplyDeleteNever actually wished to be in jail (read Picoult's Vanishing Acts and you'll never dream of it again), though I have wished for a giant inheritance that would enable leaving a day job and having staff to do my chores.
As for #5, I'm sure you could contact someone who works with wounded veterans to arrange an interview with someone who has the right kind of injury. It would be healing to him to share his experience, and he's be chuffed to be mentioned in your acknowledgements. Real people are way better than Google for research.
I hadn't thought about interviewing a veteran. That's a great idea. The next time I have to write about something like that, I'll definitely consider that.
DeleteNow I have to add another book to my TBR list--Vanishing Act.
Number three is something I wonder about ALL THE TIME. For my last book, there was a lot of poison involved, so I had to search for things like: How long does it take for poison to kill someone? What are the symptoms? Can it go undetected in the bloodstream? Yeah...not suspicious at all!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to know that I'm not the only one fascinated by poisons. I can't tell you the number of times I've asked my son (who's working on a PhD in chemistry), "So, uh, can you think of any household chemicals I could mix together to make an undetectable poison?" Sadly, I ask this even when I'm not working on a poisoning story.
DeleteI think we can identify with most of your list. One of my greatest thrills is finding EXACTLY the right word. I am truly in love with words. (Yeah, I'm easy to please.)
ReplyDeleteThe Google search? Oh yeah. For example, I've done a lot of research on homemade explosives. My dear sweet loving husband told me if the NSA comes to our door, he's simply gonna point the way to my office.
Susan, If they arrest us both, maybe we can get cells next to each other--I think we'd spend a lot of time laughing. Or sharing explosives' knowledge. :)
DeleteAll of these things. ALL OF THEM. And then google ads haunt you for weeks after your searching frenzy because it wants you to KNOW it KNOWS you were searching for explodey things again.
ReplyDelete<3
Those Google ads are hilarious. No, really, I'm not interested in blasting caps or C4.
DeleteJust ask me about explosives. I already know everything you want to know.
ReplyDelete