Eva Pasco's Blog - Posts Tagged "research"
My January Thaw
In my neck of the woods we’ve already experienced that mid-winter rise in temperature which occurs in January. An Indie author, I’ve experienced my own mid-winter spiritual rise through an increase in production for my WIP: Contemporary Women’s Fiction—'Aida’s Fishing Ground.' What may have started off slowly at the beginning of 2018, gained momentum from mid-January.
Every Indie author has his/her signature style, writing goals, and work ethic.
Adhering to my author signature of incorporating historic events, geographic entities, and regional culture pertaining to my native state of Rhode Island, I’ve conducted plenty of research on the rural town of Foster, which is wending its way through the novel.
Striving to blur the lines of demarcation between fact and fiction, this week, for the juncture of chapter 2, I found it necessary to research “fly-fishing” even though my novel is not about “fishing” per se. Another one of my author signatures is that of creating a book title with multiple meanings.
During my January thaw, I’ve managed to draft the prologue, chapter 1, and the beginning of chapter 2 at 2,416 words.
While other Indies are probably dancing circles around me for daily word input, steadfast in their goal to publish a few to several books this year, I’m resolute in “angling” my way.
When No One's Watching
One of my treasured books gifted to all faculty members by the school principal of Northern Lincoln Elementary where I finished my teaching career in the third grade trenches was 'What Teachers Do When No One is Looking' by Jim Grant and Irv Richardson. I can attest that most teachers unselfishly contribute after-school hours and money to make a difference in the classroom—when no one is watching. Scrounging yard sales for materials and attending seminars barely scratch the surface.
Which brings me to the career I embraced shortly after retirement—that of a self-published Indie author who wishes more people were on the lookout for my books and making a mad dash to acquire them.
Nevertheless, I thought I’d share the nature of this week’s writing sessions for my WIP in the genre of Contemporary at the juncture of part 2, chapter 21 which delves into my protagonist’s past—when no one’s watching:
RESEARCH
Incorporating elements from my native state of Rhode Island in my novels, and priding myself in blurring the lines of demarcation between fiction and fact, hither and thither I go:
*To St. Mary’s Academy – Bay View in Riverside, RI – the prestigious, all-girls Catholic school attended by my protagonist.
*To Borders Farm in Foster, RI – the location of an old farmhouse built in 1849, surrounded by several fields with stone walls and fences—the setting for chapter 21.
*Which led me to reading up on “stone walls” just as my protagonist did prior to sketching one at Borders Farm. When the glaciers melted across New England, they randomly dumped millions of granite and gneiss rocks. Their hardness and durability made them the optimum choice for building walls on farmland.
What I’ve shared with you while no one was watching, is just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re a writer, you already know that.
For a writer, leaving no stone unturned glorifies “the end” of a story.
*When no one’s watching, what are you researching?
The Spin
A writer whose primary genre is that of Contemporary, I take pride in blurring the line of demarcation between fact and fiction throughout the storytelling process. I surmise many writers of fiction strive for the same, and take great pains to do so.
For me, this is achieved through research, ranging from pragmatic to perverse topics of interest.
This week, my spin revolved around a benign Internet search regarding my WIP. Chapter 23, a segment delving into the past—the spring of 1950, necessitated I research popular songs of that year. I even delved so far as to check the month of release, predicating that I cite a few released in 1949 for on-point accuracy.
Authenticate! Authenticate! Authenticate!
Boo hoo! No Elvis Presley or Connie Francis!
Of fascination to me:
On March 31, 1949, RCA Victor introduced the 45 rpm record, 7 in. across with a 1 ½ hole in the middle. It became the industry standard.
Unbeknownst to me:
From 1949 – 1950, RCA color coded their vinyls:
Black – Popular Music
Ruby Red – Classical and Opera
Cherry Red – Blues and Gospel
Green – Country
Yellow – Children’s records
Midnight Blue – Show tunes & Popular Classics
Sky Blue - International
*Did any of the aforementioned make the cut in chapter 23? No!
Typically, I only use a tidbit or two of my findings for authenticating the spin I’m in. Ironically, I did mention, matter-of-factly and nonchalantly, something not stated in this blog:
Frankie Laine’s “Mule Train”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNkRc...
Eva’s Byte #249: No Stone Unturned
A writer digs deep, leaving no stone unturned…
In Memoir #98 of my Nonfiction Memoir Collection, 100 Wild Mushrooms: Memoirs of the ‘60s (2017), I allude to my father leaving no stone unturned for building three walls at the edge of our lawn. A part-time project he engaged in after work and during weekends, this summer endeavor stretched into autumn.
His venture evolved into an obsession which recruited the labor force of my mother, sister, and me to gather stones. Oftentimes, our family would be out for a leisurely drive in the countryside, and my father would stop if he espied a wall-worthy rock or two. He was a pushover for boulders too. Those he managed to pry loose from Mother Earth’s grip ended up in the back of our Plymouth station wagon.
In my capacity as a writer, no different from any other striving to blur the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction, regardless of genre—I’m leaving no stone unturned conducting research.
Every unturned stone has potential…
Halfway through my work in progress, a Contemporary set in my native state of Rhode Island, I’ve uncovered and incorporated historical facts and geographic entities pertaining to the rural town of Foster.
As I wend my way to the finish line, and not any time soon, here is a sampling of other stones I’ve overturned to authenticate every facet of my novel:
Freshwater fishing and appropriate sportswear
Sunsets in the month of July
The stages of human decomposition
Fashions, hit songs, and popular movies from 1949 – mid50s
Birthing practices during the ‘50s
Nuances of the ‘60s
An earnest writer must scavenge the earth, leaving no stone unturned to achieve authenticity in a literary endeavor conjured from imagination.
Happy scavenging!
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
In Memoir #98 of my Nonfiction Memoir Collection, 100 Wild Mushrooms: Memoirs of the ‘60s (2017), I allude to my father leaving no stone unturned for building three walls at the edge of our lawn. A part-time project he engaged in after work and during weekends, this summer endeavor stretched into autumn.
His venture evolved into an obsession which recruited the labor force of my mother, sister, and me to gather stones. Oftentimes, our family would be out for a leisurely drive in the countryside, and my father would stop if he espied a wall-worthy rock or two. He was a pushover for boulders too. Those he managed to pry loose from Mother Earth’s grip ended up in the back of our Plymouth station wagon.
In my capacity as a writer, no different from any other striving to blur the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction, regardless of genre—I’m leaving no stone unturned conducting research.
Every unturned stone has potential…
Halfway through my work in progress, a Contemporary set in my native state of Rhode Island, I’ve uncovered and incorporated historical facts and geographic entities pertaining to the rural town of Foster.
As I wend my way to the finish line, and not any time soon, here is a sampling of other stones I’ve overturned to authenticate every facet of my novel:
Freshwater fishing and appropriate sportswear
Sunsets in the month of July
The stages of human decomposition
Fashions, hit songs, and popular movies from 1949 – mid50s
Birthing practices during the ‘50s
Nuances of the ‘60s
An earnest writer must scavenge the earth, leaving no stone unturned to achieve authenticity in a literary endeavor conjured from imagination.
Happy scavenging!
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
Eva’s Byte #361 – Gaining Traction
In the capacity of a writer, my zeal to gain traction along a backstory led me to veer roadside in the 1920s. Captivating as the Roarin’ 20s may be, I was not scouting for tidbits about Prohibition, flappers, bootlegging, speakeasies, or gangsters.
To be exact: a 1920 Ford Model T Runabout roadster and 1921 Ford Model T Tudor sedan. What I came across pertaining to fixing a flat on a tubed tire back then, blew my mind.
After extracting what I needed to authenticate a scene in Chapter 9 of my Contemporary work in progress, I’ve since gained traction in my mind to unearth a few memories about “tires”.
In the early – mid ‘60s, I recall my dad fitting snow chains on the rear tires of our Plymouth Suburban station wagon. It was an on-and-off proposition throughout the winter season. While passengers in the back seat, my sister and I endured the constant clunking sound when the chains made contact with sections of dry pavement. Perhaps the drone quelled arguments stemming from our fatal attraction to each other.
When studded snow tires were phased out, and non-studded, radial winter tires rolled in during the ‘70s, I recall having them mounted and dismounted by a mechanic at the gas station.
In the here and now, I’ve gained traction just fine in my neck of New England with all-season tires on an AWD. I don’t need to weigh the options of mounting/dismounting snow tires or winter tires for holding my own on the roads ahead.
*May each of us gain traction along familiar terrain, and on roads not yet taken.
My sincere appreciation if you’ve read this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
To be exact: a 1920 Ford Model T Runabout roadster and 1921 Ford Model T Tudor sedan. What I came across pertaining to fixing a flat on a tubed tire back then, blew my mind.
After extracting what I needed to authenticate a scene in Chapter 9 of my Contemporary work in progress, I’ve since gained traction in my mind to unearth a few memories about “tires”.
In the early – mid ‘60s, I recall my dad fitting snow chains on the rear tires of our Plymouth Suburban station wagon. It was an on-and-off proposition throughout the winter season. While passengers in the back seat, my sister and I endured the constant clunking sound when the chains made contact with sections of dry pavement. Perhaps the drone quelled arguments stemming from our fatal attraction to each other.
When studded snow tires were phased out, and non-studded, radial winter tires rolled in during the ‘70s, I recall having them mounted and dismounted by a mechanic at the gas station.
In the here and now, I’ve gained traction just fine in my neck of New England with all-season tires on an AWD. I don’t need to weigh the options of mounting/dismounting snow tires or winter tires for holding my own on the roads ahead.
*May each of us gain traction along familiar terrain, and on roads not yet taken.
My sincere appreciation if you’ve read this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
Eva’s Byte #402 – Demises
From a literary viewpoint:
“Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.” Isaac Asimov
From my perspective as a writer, there’s much ado about transitioning for depicting a character’s demise. In order to fit the framework of my story—timing, method, and staging are crucial.
Premeditation! Premeditation! Premeditation!
Always striving to blur the lines of demarcation between nonfiction and fiction in the lit with grit I pen, research has me veering off the beaten path on the Internet. One such detour which led me where I needed to go, pertained to the stages of rigor mortis.
In previously published works of fiction, my characters have met their demise as a result of: a fatal fall, brain aneurysm, drowning, illness, and accidental shooting. Trust me, I’m contemplating other demises for stories incubating in my mind.
At this point in time, I’ve stopped the press at the end of a scene in chapter 26 of my Contemporary work in progress (817 words thus far) to ferret out facts on carbon monoxide poisoning and hypothermia. Until I homogenize the facts with fiction, my sorry-ass character lives on borrowed time.
*May the end justify ethical means for achieving desired outcomes.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
“Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.” Isaac Asimov
From my perspective as a writer, there’s much ado about transitioning for depicting a character’s demise. In order to fit the framework of my story—timing, method, and staging are crucial.
Premeditation! Premeditation! Premeditation!
Always striving to blur the lines of demarcation between nonfiction and fiction in the lit with grit I pen, research has me veering off the beaten path on the Internet. One such detour which led me where I needed to go, pertained to the stages of rigor mortis.
In previously published works of fiction, my characters have met their demise as a result of: a fatal fall, brain aneurysm, drowning, illness, and accidental shooting. Trust me, I’m contemplating other demises for stories incubating in my mind.
At this point in time, I’ve stopped the press at the end of a scene in chapter 26 of my Contemporary work in progress (817 words thus far) to ferret out facts on carbon monoxide poisoning and hypothermia. Until I homogenize the facts with fiction, my sorry-ass character lives on borrowed time.
*May the end justify ethical means for achieving desired outcomes.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Eva’s Byte #475 – Chalking It Up
Whether chalking up an outline at a crime scene, or chalking a pool cue, the writer goes the extra mile to authenticate fiction. There are no boundaries when it comes to conducting “nefarious” research. What we can’t chalk up to experience must be investigated.
Along the execution of my current work in progress I’ve covered the gamut of: forensics, aspects of the Seventies, laws, local shorebirds, drug overdosing, maritime occurrences, mental instability, and suicide.
Included, but not limited to!
Approaching the light at the end of the tunnel of my near-future publication in the genre of Contemporary, I’m currently chalking it up in a game of pool along the draft of chapter 58 (1706 words thus far).
*May each of us chalk up creative output to our imagination.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Along the execution of my current work in progress I’ve covered the gamut of: forensics, aspects of the Seventies, laws, local shorebirds, drug overdosing, maritime occurrences, mental instability, and suicide.
Included, but not limited to!
Approaching the light at the end of the tunnel of my near-future publication in the genre of Contemporary, I’m currently chalking it up in a game of pool along the draft of chapter 58 (1706 words thus far).
*May each of us chalk up creative output to our imagination.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Eva’s Byte #483 – Laying the Foundation
Actually, I’ve just started digging to lay the foundation for my next Work in Progress in the genre of Contemporary. Always in need of a premise on which to build upon—one has inveigled its way into my psyche to till my imagination.
In keeping with a Rhode Island setting, this time around I’m favoring the coastal town of Warren, spanning 16 miles of shoreline. Its working waterfront is one of the oldest in New England. The downtown area hosts local art and antique shops, restaurants, and the George Hail Library.
Small-town charm affords me plenty of leeway for blending my own “facades” somewhere along Main Street and Warren’s side roads.
No stranger to my neighboring town of Warren, I’ll be driving around and taking notes, while mentally mapping the layout of my story.
The next stones to overturn pertain to aspects of the human condition with regard to my premise. Meanwhile, I’m counting on the two characters emerging in my mind’s eye to nudge me in the right/write direction.
*May each of us lay our creative foundations without cutting corners.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
In keeping with a Rhode Island setting, this time around I’m favoring the coastal town of Warren, spanning 16 miles of shoreline. Its working waterfront is one of the oldest in New England. The downtown area hosts local art and antique shops, restaurants, and the George Hail Library.
Small-town charm affords me plenty of leeway for blending my own “facades” somewhere along Main Street and Warren’s side roads.
No stranger to my neighboring town of Warren, I’ll be driving around and taking notes, while mentally mapping the layout of my story.
The next stones to overturn pertain to aspects of the human condition with regard to my premise. Meanwhile, I’m counting on the two characters emerging in my mind’s eye to nudge me in the right/write direction.
*May each of us lay our creative foundations without cutting corners.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Eva’s Byte #520 – Making Inroads
As I make inroads drafting my Contemporary work in progress, I continue to slog the extra mile for bringing its local setting of Warren, Rhode Island to life. Besides integrating landmarks, culture, and geographical aspects, it’s important for me to “go the distance” with precision; i.e., walking a mile in my protagonist’s shoes.
Plotwise, this recently entailed finding out the number of miles between Warren and Millville, Massachusetts; Warren and Providence; Providence and Millville. I also looked up bus fares and cab fares during the Seventies.
“She’s got a ticket to ride.”
In the capacity of a writer, I finished drafting chapter 13 at 927 words. I’m making inroads along the draft of chapter 14 (114 words thus far), getting my protagonist road ready for what lies ahead along her journey.
*May each of us go the extra mile for making inroads along our creative journeys.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Plotwise, this recently entailed finding out the number of miles between Warren and Millville, Massachusetts; Warren and Providence; Providence and Millville. I also looked up bus fares and cab fares during the Seventies.
“She’s got a ticket to ride.”
In the capacity of a writer, I finished drafting chapter 13 at 927 words. I’m making inroads along the draft of chapter 14 (114 words thus far), getting my protagonist road ready for what lies ahead along her journey.
*May each of us go the extra mile for making inroads along our creative journeys.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
