Gems in Hidden Books

Every writer does research. Whether for non-fiction articles, books, or essays or for marketing that new story that’s hot off the keyboard, we delve into some esoteric corners on the off-chance of finding a gem that can be used as the centerpiece of some new project.

In the past year I’ve managed to dive into fascinating subjects with so much potential that I’m without direction as to the best use for the material.

For instance, there the global warming issue from both the environmental and the political viewpoints. Bits and pieces could be used for great articles with slants not expected by the average reader, or articles for children to help them derive an understanding of the issues involved, or as the basis for sci-fi stories extraordinaire.

Which way should I go? It’s not like the subject is going away soon. It’s around to stay and getting more complex each day, with plenty of twists along the way to create plotlines for sci-fi, YA survivalist faire, a murder mystery surrounding a leading scientist who’s discovered how to help halt the progression of the marching ice fields. You see what I mean.

How about those hidden gems that can be used for a character’s profession or hobby? Here’s one that brought me to a point of practicing an almost lost art: knots and splices.

What are they? Mariners and their land-grubbing laborer cousins have practiced tying knots and splicing ropes together for thousands of years. This was and is a practical knowledge that can be used for many purposes. My “Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices” by Des Pawson sits beside my copy of “Leather Braiding” by Bruce Grant.

You might ask why I’d have such disparate volumes on my reference shelf. I’ll tell you. In the first place, I thoroughly enjoy learning new skills. With each new knot or braiding technique practiced and mastered, I will have a concrete example of the craft involved.

Secondly, I can use this knowledge for any number of characters. I can have one of my mystery characters always craft a Turk knot on a gift package. The knot done in leather, for instance, acts as an additional gift for the receiver. This act of thoughtfulness becomes a trademark for that character. Or, I can write a short story about a fencer who’s just begun work with battle swords instead of epees and has to fashion the grip covering on the hilt of his newly acquired broadsword. It can be done in leather or in flat silk cording, as the Samurai once did. The very act of making that decision could make for a turning point for that particular character.

What if I had a character that made art with decorative knots that behaved as the anchoring point of her textile art that sold for thousands of dollars? Everything from Celtic knots to old sailors knots would work well for the story point.

I could do a character that makes bull whips for sale. Those use both leather braiding of a specialty type and special knotting.

Just these three subjects could keep a person busy with ideas for months or more. I often ask myself if there are dull subjects. I figure there are a few, but only because they don’t catch the imagination of the person looking at them. All subjects, I think, can be used for some form of writing, even if it’s only a silly piece of background business in a manuscript. If the writer is clever, that bit of business can become a telling clue or piece of a puzzle for later in the story.

Now that you’ve seen some of the stuff I’m likely to submerge myself into, look at your own preferences. I dare you. Find three of those esoteric subjects in hidden books and see just how many uses to which you can put the information. Then tell me about it. I’m always willing to learn something new.

Until later,

Claudsy

Weekly Wrap-Up

The last few days have been lazy ones for me—totally unrelated to writing, or socializing, for that matter. It had nothing to do with desire for solitude or lack of ideas. Rather, it had to do with chaos and instability of direction for those days.

Sounds gloomy, doesn’t it? It wasn’t. Instead, the hours have been used for reading and contemplation. I studied part of the time, both books on writing and those for pleasure. Of those for pleasure I managed to use those for study as well. I studied what it was about those particular writers and their stories which kept my attention and how the story’s construction was done.

I must admit that I can only do the latter type of study on books that I know really well. If I like a new story, my only attention is on the story itself, not on its construction. The only thing that will stop my eyes from their scanning is a typo or awkward sentence, etc.

I’m also readying to get a card for the local library. I'm staying with cousins in a small town, you see. They have a credible library that has a wonderful children’s section. I spent a couple of hours in that section just the other day. Soon I’ll go in, present my IDs and get my very own card to the local book lender.

I’ve been collecting library cards for many years now. I have several. I’ve always considered the possession of a library card to be the official citizenship ID. It may not stand up in the legal system, but without it, a prospective book borrower is doomed to failure.

I may only be here for another month or so, but I will have access to resources that I can’t carry around in the car with us. That’s a real plus. Besides, I like the smell of libraries.

Clouds and rain showers kept photo ops to a minimum these last few days. Jo did get to shoot a wedding last weekend, which was a bonus for her. She got to be in the wedding and shoot part of it. She had a great time doing that.

We did take the opportunity to go down to Honor Heights Park in Muskogee one day. That park celebrates the entire month of April each year with their Azalea Festival. Several years ago severe ice storms early in the year decimated the park and its largest shrub and tree specimens. Those in charge have replanted since and the park fairly bristled with visitors the day we spent time there.

Resident ducks and geese favored those making free with goodie bags with their attention. Quacks and honks kept the air filled with sound. Children ran and played while parents looked on. Other families gathered for picnics at tables dotting the grounds.

Early summer has come to Oklahoma. It was 78 deg. here today and in the mid-90s in OK’s far SW corner. Tomorrow we’re supposed to be in the low 80s here and warmer south of us. Everyone else’s mild spring is the beginning of summer here. It’s the same nearly every year.

That’s the local report from NE Oklahoma. I have done little writing, though there’s been plenty of planning. The next week may prove very productive. I hope so.

Here’s hoping your week has been to your liking, everyone. Take care, study hard, and have fun.

Until later,

Claudsy

Redirection and Resolution

Our lives continually demand redirection and resolution. That's the very nature of LIFE. Regardless of a person's professional or academic proclivity, the demand remains constant.

This trip that Sister Jo and I are on has turned out to be an excellent example of the Principle of Redirection and Resolution. When we began, we were determined to see the country our way and do it as inexpensively as possible. Our goal was to tent across America. Somehow I don't think the Universe agreed with our plans.

From the first hour on the road we were driven by the weather.

Well, YEAH! you say. You began in the middle of December, for pity's sake.

That's very true. The problem wasn't that so much, though, as La Nina. That little Missy has been our bane since the beginning. It didn't help that this was the worst La Nina in over 50 years. What hurt was that we hadn't anticipated it.

We didn't take that little weather pattern into account and we got stuck with its effects.

We didn't get to see Oregon or California (with the exception of the few days we visited with my friend, Mikki in Central California.) Two hours after we left Mikki's place, the deluge hit the coast and the slides began. We fought that wind and rain all the way to El Centro. And it didn't end there.

The cold followed, and on and on.

Our Redirection came in the form of what we didn't get to see and what we found instead. The Resolution came in enjoying what had been given us to take the place of desired and planned sights.

Along the way we saw and learned things that would have seemed too mundane prior to our trip; too ordinary to be of interest to catch our attention and cause the "AH" effect.

We wouldn't have learned some of the Texas history, or seen Holly Beach, Louisiana. We wouldn't have known about Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, AL with its Korean War Memorial and Avenue of Flags. We wouldn't have listened to locals in unforeseen stops along the way and heard the soft southern drawls that changed with each new region we traveled. We would have missed the concerns of those locals as they discussed the projected weather reports and the crops that might lay in the balance.

One thing I've always paid attention to has been the reality than no road is traveled without encountering pluses and minuses. They tend to balance each other. The trick is to allow the pluses to take precedence. Many times a person has to look hard to see the pluses, but they are always there for the finding.

Writers know that a story doesn't always drive the same road that's been intended for it. The plot will begin to wander because a character decides to see a new sight, make a different decision than the one planned, and so on. These deviations lend complexity to the story when allowed to flow naturally from the character's viewpoint.

Resolutions evolve from those drives along unanticipated roads that move into new territory and require a different sort of ending. Not all endings are happy ones. Some endings are unexpected, on-going.


Our trip has become this type of storyline. It will be on-going for an unknown time into the future. Our direction may have shifted because of budgetary concerns and the weather, but the intent is the same. No true resolution has taken place yet and won't until we have no further need for adventure.


Our book has its new intent, its new aspect.

 For the next few months, Sister and I will continue to see new places and new attractions. We have more friends and family to visit along the way. There are many more unforeseen tidbits to study and stories to write. During this time, I will share some of those tidbits with you, the readers, as I have been. Hopefully, the sharing can be more constant and frequent.

 Until then, take care, all, and God bless.

 Claudsy and BJ