Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
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November 6 question - What's the strangest thing you've ever googled in researching a story?
We're a fun bunch and I'm looking forward to seeing the answers to this question!
For one of my stories, the setting was a ranch so I did a lot of research on that.
The weirdest part of that research was on the different ways to brand cattle.
I now know a lot more about using dry ice to brand cattle than I ever thought I would!
I also have a pretty good idea about how to steal and fly a small personal plane without getting tracked by radar.
How about you? What fun things have you researched - or read about?
Anyone else's searches make them appear to be living a life of crime?
49 comments:
Dry ice? Instead of a hot iron? Is that better for the cow? Bet it still hurts...
The dry ice makes me feel better for the cattle (although I bet, like Alex says, it still hurts!) I'm always Googling murder-related stuff. :)
Dry ice - I wondered how they branded cattle now.
Love your questions.
I had no idea dry ice was used in branding! I too, love hearing the answers to this question!
As a vegetarian, I don't think I' would have enjoyed learning about branding cattle. Glad it helped you out.
Dry ice...hmm...interesting.
I had no idea they used dry ice to brand cattle. That hurts just as much as fire. I just had the chance to deal with some of that ice with our recent power outages, and touching it feels like you've stuck your fingers into flames.
Dry ice? Add me to the list of people who learned something new today. I suspect it doesn't smell as bad, but do wonder about the pain quotient.
I did some ranch research for the Gracie books. Also researched when our bluebonnets bloom in different parts of the state, since it spans several different planting zones. I don't know how to steal a plane (yet) but I do know how to lift latent fingerprints off of almost any surface.
Hi,
I really don't know. I was wrapped up in getting my manuscript prepared and ready to send out that I don't think I researched anything that was funny.
Wishing you all the best and a great month of November.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
It's actually far less painful for the cow - which is why it was created. Very cool!
Apparently it barely makes them flinch - much better for them!
Your list would be so fun!
It's less painful for the cows - much better!
LOL - thanks :)
I know! It surprised me as well.
I'm loving the answers to the question!
I think you're right!
The MC was all about making it less stressful for his animals
It really was!
Actually, they say it's much less painful for the animals. But I have no idea why!!!!
LOL - according to what I learned, it's much less painful for the animals
Some stories require more research than others. Most of my searches are on climate, wildlife, natural vegetation ... such exciting searches :)
...how to steal and fly a small personal plane without getting tracked by radar...
That's so cool!
Happy IWSG Day, Jemi!
I would definitely have to refresh my memory - but it was fun to write!! :)
I love the places writing takes us. Flying would have been fun. :-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
I don't know about branding cattle, but that stealing a small airplane off the radar thing could come in handy someday. And I already have some air time, having been an unofficial co-pilot for hubs, when he used to fly small planes. What fun!
Wow! I had no idea dry ice could do that! I’ve done some research on how to make someone sick. My favorite thing to research is survival stuff. I actually chopped down a fairly good size tree with a hatchet and used a fire starter to make a fire.
Glad you know how to escape radar in case I need to get out of the country secretly.
It would! I wanted to be a pilot at one point but my weird & terrible eyesight eliminated that career trajectory!
That IS fun!! I always thought flying would be a great career or hobby. Weird eyesight eliminated that :)
I know - it surprised me too!
Wow - good for you!!! You and Gary Paulsen could be best buddies! :)
LOL - let me know!! :P
It surprised me when I discovered that too! :)
Very interesting answers to the question, Jemi. As for me, hmmm, probably researching Haitian voodoo, spells, ceremonies, etc. I spent weeks on that one.
Yes! Definitely Haitian voodoo HAS to rank high on the entire list of strange and interesting things to research. You're braver than I am!
That's some very useful information, esp. branding cattle. LOL
I love reading about all the things we writers research. We ARE a fun bunch! For my novel West of Paradise, I researched everything about 1881, especially trains and the gun fight at the ok coral :) It was pretty fun, but then, I;m a bit of a history buff.
Alas, I still haven't quite determined how to poison someone -- or come up with a way someone is killed by some kind of poisonous powder on a letter. I keep putting this research on hold because I worry I might be put on someone's watch list, even though this is for a plot twist for my historical suspense story about a 15th Century tapestry. Your post made me smile, though I'm not sure I would actually try to fly a plane based on research alone. Have a great month ahead.
LOL - I know! :) We do get to know fun stuff!
That is fun!!!
You did a great job on research for that book - I enjoyed it!
I would definitely want more than a few lessons before trying that plane as well!
I know a few writers who have been researching those poisons - I'm sure there's a list of "oh, don't worry - that one's a writer" somewhere! :)
What a fun question! I've looked up unusual things, too, thinking I must look like a criminal to anyone who saw my search history!
Who KNEW about dried ice? Not I. Still: ouch.
Have a great week, Jemi! :)
Steal a plane? That would be a fun research project! I went to a Supernatural Convention as research but I also had a lot of fun at it ! Sometimes I like to hang out at game stores too, and listen in on the conversations for character ideas and development.
I do wonder about the people checking for weird and scary searches. They must really wonder about us some days! :)
Apparently it doesn't hurt the cow like regular branding - who knew? :)
A Supernatural convention sounds fun for sure!!
Hearing snippets of covnersation is always fun - love who much we can pick up :)
Ranching research seems pretty straightforward, but there has to be a great story behind how you learned the ins and outs of stealing a plane.
I'm hoping to revisit that draft again one day - fun times in that one!!
It is amazing the things we writers research. I know a lot about stoves from 80 years ago and basements of homes built around that time in CT. I have also researched a lot of card and colors that were available. :) Learning the ins and outs of stealing a small plane sounds interesting!
~Jess
It was!!
I love your research - I wouldn't have thought about the availability of colours as something to research - very cool!
Ah, research. Its always hard to get things correct and research is so integral.
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