Tuesday, September 06, 2011

A Serendipitous Education

I spent most of yesterday doing research and found I'm a little rusty. In the old days, I'd go to the library and pull out a couple of encyclopedias, maybe view some microfiche, pour through bound magazines... If I really wanted to chance it, I'd just wander around the section with the relevant stuff.

Straight up Luddite rebel, yo.

But searching the internet, I kept wondering how much I was reading was true and/or relevant. I tried to find some videos on the subject, thinking at least I'd get a sense of the place I want to write about, and that was mostly fruitless. I know they exist, I just don't know how to find them.

I'll try again when my patience meter is higher. I'm sure what I need is out there, it just seems buried in the same five articles reworded slightly differently across the internet.

So this morning I submitted two short pieces into the world, which brings me up to eight active submissions. I'm treading new ground here -- eight is the most I've ever had out at one time. (My mini-goal is to have ten out at the same time. My extended goal is 25.)

I also have a story out for feedback and once that comes back, I should be able to make any revisions and submit that as well.

Nine is so close I can taste it. But then so is my coffee.

2 comments:

suzzy said...

Hi Folly, You are just soo dedicated to you writing pursuit. I wish I had the discipline to do so much research on what I write. It seems like a whole other world you enter with a goal in mind. Like an intellectual trip that is very rewarding for you. hugs

Folly Blaine said...

Thanks, suzzy! It helps with discipline to pick topics I'm genuinely curious about.

There's something to be said for just sitting down to write without much research, too. Research can easily become a crutch, like if you're me, you might find yourself saying, I don't know enough yet... I can't possibly write on that topic.

So I've made a deal with myself. If I ever feel like I'm using the research as an excuse not to write, I force myself to sit down and make stuff up.