03 May 2017

Rewriting, Research, and a Release!

It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means it's the posting day for the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Click here to learn more and sign up!


What am I insecure about? So, so, so much. How can I fit it all in one post?? I probably can't. Plus I do kinda want to answer this month's question. Well, I guess I'll just dive in. 

The editing front! Still not done with Chapter 7. I think I'll spend the rest of my life on it, actually. And there is SOOOOOO much dialogue but I think it works for this particular scene. My characters are basically creating a kind of verbal contract, so...they kinda have to talk to each other. I'm actually adding so much more than was in the previous drafts, which is a good thing, because I know this scene was always rushed before. I just wish I could reach the end of it. 

Now for this month's question, which is: What's the weirdest/coolest thing you ever had to research for a story?

I like this question a lot, but I've had a hard time coming up with just one thing that was really weird or really cool. So...I made a list, of course! I didn't think writing a piece of fiction would require SO. MUCH. RESEARCH. But it does! All the little things you need to check out seem to add up over time!

So here are some of the things I've had to research while writing UL. 

- Setting related stuff: streets, landmarks, subway stations, apartment price ranges, THOSE DAMN WINDOWS.
- MATH! (I hate math). I’ve watched YouTube videos on geometric proofs. That scene turned out awesome so it was totally worth it. I also have a geometry textbook.
- Some unsavory things I won't mention here. (Well, you see, I don't have...never mind.)
- FOOD. So much food! Different recipes. How to make fresh pasta. One time I made chocolate chip cookies and then took notes while I ate them. Some of those descriptions are in the book.
- Probably one of the weirdest things I know from writing this book is about age of consent. It goes by state and is from 16-18 (17 in NY where my story takes place). I don't need to know this for real life. It's creepy that I know it. But what can you do? I did need to know it for the story.

And of course, I can't forget the Chapter 3 Valentine's Day cupcakes. Extremely important research, here, people. Very scientific stuff. 

 


And now for something completely different...

In case you missed it (you probably didn't), yesterday the IWSG Anthology, Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life was released! Woo hoo! I'm honored to be a part of this great group of authors. Plus, now after my years of insecure ramblings, you actually get to read something I wrote! Something I actually finished! Something the muse says he "let me" write (because it wasn't about him!). 


Hero Lost
Mysteries of Death and Life
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Can a lost hero find redemption?

What if Death himself wanted to die? Can deliverance be found on a bloody battlefield? Could the gift of silvering become a prison for those who possessed it? Will an ancient warrior be forever the caretaker of a house of mystery?

Delving into the depths of the tortured hero, twelve authors explore the realms of fantasy in this enthralling and thought-provoking collection. Featuring the talents of Jen Chandler, L. Nahay, Renee Cheung, Roland Yeomans, Elizabeth Seckman, Olga Godim, Yvonne Ventresca, Ellen Jacobson, Sean McLachlan, Erika Beebe, Tyrean Martinson, and Sarah Foster.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these twelve tales will take you into the heart of heroes who have fallen from grace. Join the journey and discover a hero’s redemption!


27 comments:

  1. Yay for Hero Lost!!! So, so excited to read it.

    There are definitely some things floating around my head from research that people may find...disturbing. Like how to melt a body. Historical psychopaths. Practices of the occult. Most of these I try to keep buried...until needed.

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  2. Yum on food-related research! Well, unless it's kale or something like that. :)

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  3. Best of luck with the anthology. I'm looking forward to reading the stories.

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  4. Now I want chocolate chip cookies. Mmm! Congrats again on your story making it into the anthology;)

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  5. Researching food... that would be a yummy experience!

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  6. Researching cupcakes is very important! :) I should have more food in my books. Congratulations on the anthology's release!

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  7. Nothing wrong with food-related research. It is very important, scientific work. I should really write more scenes with cupcakes and/or chocolate chip cookies. All the food-related research I've ever done is never nearly that delicious.

    Best of luck with the editing...I've had many a chapter go the way as your chapter seven. You'll get there.

    And congrats again on the anthology!

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  8. I definitely hope you spent plenty of time on those cupcakes. No sacrifice is too great when it comes to your readers' pleasure.

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  9. Congrats on the release and being a part of it. I'll have to snag it... unless I already have because that's happened a few times with other books. LOL

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  10. Congrats to you and the other authors. So proud to publish Hero Lost.

    Age of consent is rather creepy to know. Unless you have teenagers I guess.

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  11. Congrats on being included in the anthology! That's great--and now you get to update your bio blurb saying you're published!!! ;-)

    And yes, fiction requires so much research. Who knew, right? But it's fun, because we get to learn about all sorts of different things I never would investigate otherwise.

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  12. Woot woot on the release! Grats! And food is yummy to research. I've had to do a bit of that myself, such as what is the type of food you'd find if you were living in a rain forest. Your stuff looks tasty though. :)

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  13. Congratulations to you and the other authors!
    I also hate math.

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  14. That's so funny Sarah because just this morning I was brainstorming a guest post on how math and writing might possibly relate...then I realized I was over my head and scratched it...congratulations! I am happy I got to work with you :)

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  15. I hate math. I can't see math research as being fun...but...I loved geometry. How weird is that? lol

    Congrats on the anthology!

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  16. Oh, research on cupcakes! First hand and practical, I hope. I must join you in it. Sounds utterly yummy.

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  17. Ooh, cookie research and cupcake research - I'm interested in that!
    Geometry - less so, but if you need it for your book, then it makes sense.
    Happy book day!

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  18. That is... quite a mishmash of research topics for one book! Your attention to detail is commendable. Especially when it comes to cookies and cupcakes! :-)

    Congrats on the story!

    IWSG May

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  19. LOL, your research is making me hungry. Congrats.
    ' Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

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  20. I'd love to do research on food, but I think I'd avoid any plots that required math research :-)

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  21. Congrats on the release!! Celebrating w/any cupcakes? ;)

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  22. I love dialogue as a reader. I often skip large chunks of narrative and go for the dialogue, so I don't see lots of dialogue as a problem. :)

    I need to research some cupcakes. Mmm.

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  23. Cookie and cupcake research sounds like a lot of fun! Funny how research leads you down some unexpected paths.

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  24. I'd love to do research for food recipes, but only when it is of the tasting kind. That being said, my chocolate chip cookies with Belgian dark chocolate chips are the best in the world! :-) Congrats on being one of the anthology authors. Very exciting! Liesbet @ Roaming About – A Life Less Ordinary

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  25. Congrats on the publication! I've ordered my copy and am getting it into my reading queue ASAP. Next time you're researching cupcakes, give me a call. I have some strong opinions about cupcakes and we could have a heated debate involving multiple taste tests to settle the argument.

    @mirymom1 from
    Balancing Act

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  26. Read your story yesterday and enjoyed it. I know I owe you some questions for an interview post this week. First thing tomorrow--provided we aren't under water or some other catastrophe has occurred. Fingers crossed.

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  27. Back when I wasn't writing anything to publish, I used to hold onto my mom's medical dictionary for dear life. lol My characters had so many illnesses. XD

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