tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post538994469568751027..comments2024-02-16T15:14:36.719-06:00Comments on Wet Noodle Posse: Traveling for ResearchMJFredrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06881706931355203700noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-64810867963356249412008-05-15T09:44:00.000-05:002008-05-15T09:44:00.000-05:00I'm the same way. In fact that's the main reason I...I'm the same way. In fact that's the main reason I switched from a 'real' Nikon with interchangeable lenses to a point and shoot, and then to the same thing only digital. I wasn't doing "photography", I was doing research. <BR/><BR/>(And when we had a family reunion in Bar Harbor, I'm pretty sure that sailboat in the background of your picture is the one we sailed on -- I definitely remember the gazebo.)<BR/><BR/>Another thing to 'record' is people. Although I doubt I'll set a book in South Africa in the forseeable future, the people I met on the tour are bound to be in my books.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-77137685342144051932008-05-15T00:07:00.000-05:002008-05-15T00:07:00.000-05:00Merrillee,I use your travel ideas when I go places...Merrillee,<BR/>I use your travel ideas when I go places. Thank goodness for digital cameras. In 2003 and 2005 when I went to England I took tons of photos and I collected brochures everywhere. One thing I did was also photo the information next to a museum display so I didn't need to write it down. Saved lots of time.Diane Gastonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14770373530197339170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-6398152840927884922008-05-14T20:31:00.000-05:002008-05-14T20:31:00.000-05:00Merrillee: PERFECT. Perfect gift for an inspy, and...Merrillee: PERFECT. Perfect gift for an inspy, and the perfect level of pretty and thoughtful yet not too personal for the beginnings of a relationship. Well done!Esri Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12329547309752835833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-44772512832814572382008-05-14T20:14:00.000-05:002008-05-14T20:14:00.000-05:00Esri,I thought about a snow globe. We made a list ...Esri,<BR/>I thought about a snow globe. We made a list as we went through the stores. A music box, hour glass, Christmas ornament and Nativity set were just a few of the items we listed. Then we came to this shop with where they had key rings made with beads. My friend pointed them out and showed me one with a crystal cross at the end. I knew this was perfect. <BR/><BR/>This is early in the story, so I didn't want him to get something that would be too much. I wanted it to be something that related to her, and he bought it on a whim because she was always buying stuff for other people and not caring about herself. She is a missionary. He bought it because it made him think of her. She has a new vehicle, and she has left him with her keys while she shops. The keys are on one of those crummy plastic things the dealers give you when you buy a car. So he sees the key ring with a cross, and immediately knows it would be perfect for her. I would never have thought of that without seeing it in the store in Helen.Merrilleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617320163408645299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-85258071099929838862008-05-14T20:06:00.000-05:002008-05-14T20:06:00.000-05:00Patricia,For my two books that come out next year,...Patricia,<BR/>For my two books that come out next year, I didn't name the town. One is set in South Dakota and the other, as I mentioned, in North Georgia. I just name real places that are close by. In the South Dakota book I refer to real towns such as Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Huron and Rapid City. I did this because I really didn't want to come up with a name. In the Georgia book, I just talked about the North Georgia mountains and left it at that. There are a half dozen little towns up there, and I figured people could draw their own conclusions. <BR/><BR/>I mentioned my fictional town of Pinecrest that I used in several books. When my brother read the first book he was sure I was using the town where he works. But I used the town Web sites of several towns to make a composite. So if you're having trouble coming up with a name, maybe you can get by without naming it. Terry had some good thoughts about combining parts of names.Merrilleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617320163408645299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-44292635163717059022008-05-14T18:11:00.000-05:002008-05-14T18:11:00.000-05:00I had to do a double and triple look when I saw th...I had to do a double and triple look when I saw the picture of the house...it could be an exact duplicate of my Great-Grandfather's house (that is across the road from my house ~ I look at it everyday) Even the trees and bushes are the same!ChristyJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10437256752595712457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-87695179793930191372008-05-14T16:10:00.000-05:002008-05-14T16:10:00.000-05:00Patricia--I had the same problem when I tried to m...Patricia--I had the same problem when I tried to make up a name for a high school in a certain area. Everything I came up with had already been used somewhere in the state. <BR/><BR/>You could try blending two or more elements that are evocative of the area. For instance, since there's a Fort Lauderdale and a St. Augustine in Florida, you might come up with Fort Augustus (or AsunciĆ³n or Arturo). Considering the history of the area, Spanish saints' names (or surnames) or Native American terms for the local flora/fauna would be handy.<BR/><BR/>Thank goodness for quick Google checks, hm? I usually check out my characters' names that way, too.Terry McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08557335434947611768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-16673464168075746842008-05-14T15:18:00.000-05:002008-05-14T15:18:00.000-05:00Merrillee: What beautiful pictures! I want a gazeb...Merrillee: What beautiful pictures! I want a gazebo like that!<BR/><BR/>I love doing book research on trips. What did your hero buy for the heroine in Helen, GA? I always think snowglobes are romantic. That little contained world... I should tell Angel Joe to get me one. :D<BR/><BR/>Patricia: That is really funny that every name you've come up with exists. You're probably going to have to come up with something really outre', although I don't know if there's room for broad humor in your book. How 'bout Anole Springs? (snicker -- I grew up in Fla.)Esri Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12329547309752835833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-53255218117055692082008-05-14T14:43:00.000-05:002008-05-14T14:43:00.000-05:00LOL, Patricia. Don't worry about it if it's a name...LOL, Patricia. Don't worry about it if it's a name from another state, but you're using it for Florida. I've done that before too. Go for it and JUST DO IT!!! :) Hope you're moving along on your book!Theresa Raganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15815320170046221853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-70108133960445330302008-05-14T14:12:00.000-05:002008-05-14T14:12:00.000-05:00Love the idea of collecting brochures. The trick ...Love the idea of collecting brochures. The trick will be to organize them immediately upon return so they don't grow into another pile of stuff for "when-I-get-to-it".<BR/><BR/>This is off topic but since we were talking about real vs. fictional places... It's HARD to make up a town! I'm trying to name the location for my story, set in FL, and I've been floored to discover that every name I've come up with appears to be a real place when I google it. Sheesh! Maybe I should have been a city planner, or at least a city namer.PatriciaWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04572087157439187319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-70198711225007990042008-05-14T12:58:00.000-05:002008-05-14T12:58:00.000-05:00Merrillee--I love this idea! I'm going to start c...Merrillee--I love this idea! I'm going to start collecting brochures wherever I go. I'd like to promise myself I'm going to take pictures, too, but I know better than to count on that happening ;-).<BR/><BR/>amy--I think your idea is terrific, too, LOL :-)!Terry McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08557335434947611768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-65814319434335765622008-05-14T12:17:00.000-05:002008-05-14T12:17:00.000-05:00Another great, tip! Merrillee. The gazebo is beaut...Another great, tip! Merrillee. The gazebo is beautiful and you're right, the scene wouldn't have to be set in Maine.<BR/><BR/>LOL, Amy! I think Rome would be the ideal setting!!! <BR/><BR/>Thanks, MerrilleeTheresa Raganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15815320170046221853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-86108317022957298642008-05-14T12:14:00.000-05:002008-05-14T12:14:00.000-05:00Hmmmmm, I'm thinking I need to set a book in Paris...Hmmmmm, I'm thinking I need to set a book in Paris, or Rome, or London....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-22378231820322697712008-05-14T11:28:00.000-05:002008-05-14T11:28:00.000-05:00Excellent advice! It's also always interesting to ...Excellent advice! It's also always interesting to notice the difference in the way people approach the same situations; or it was for me, as a small town person, to see how people from larger cities or different parts of the country act and react.<BR/><BR/>When we made the small move from Arkansas to Nebraska, the difference was amazing. And even within states you'll find marked differences.Gillian Laynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15772849187702478349noreply@blogger.com