The Story So Far...
Thanks to all who responded to my writer wannabe questions that I posted a few days ago. I received a wide range of responses, which pretty much made it OK for me to decide that I am allowed to go about this whole writing thing my own way-- there is no method set in stone. Maybe I was already supposed to know that, but sometimes you just need confirmations of these things from time to time-- it's a peace-of-mind sort of thing. And I'm fairly embarrassed that I got yelled at by the community administrator of prime_liquor for going way off the preferred topics list, but it turned out to be worth it. I've since joined novelwriters , which should be more agreeable with my needs.
Regarding the alleged future novel, which I hope to begin working on immediately after my move (i.e. early next month), I have decided that I need to research the following things:
- General 9/11 info. The story will not be about the events of that day; it will take place in New York probably a few months or maybe a year afterwords, and the feeling in the air that I remember all too well will be a backdrop to what's actually going on in the book. However, I do plan to have a character or two who are steeped in paranoia and will be able to recount 9/11 trivia facts like they were nothing. For this research I should of course read the 9/11 Commission Report and also a few lesser-known, more-sensationalized doctrines on the subject.
- Basic info on cultures of Russian Orthodox, Jewish Orthodox and Muslim New Yorkers. There will be characters representing these groups in the story, although most will be minor. Regardless I need to include some details to make them seem at least a little bit authentic. A little Googling and LJ-lurking might suffice for this research, and if not some non-fiction study will be required. I think that I first have to establish exactly what I need to know about these people.
- Acid tripping. This is one drug that I've actually never once dealt with in my life. I have no objections to giving it the old college try, but I will not go roaming the streets looking for a hit. Maybe I can get a friendly hookup, or maybe I should just read up on it. But I need a vivid account of a bad trip for at least one scene.
- Straight, vanilla sex. I need to have more of that, and soon (actually, I need to have more sex in general, regardless of any "writing" pretensions, but that's besides the point). Anyone who's read this journal before or gazed at the surly, grotesque icon on this screen can surmise that I don't often get a lot of tail, besides the occasional fuckaround. I'm too shy and creepy, but I'll have to get passed that if I want to get this right. To make matters more difficult, I intend at least one sexual scene to be from the perspective of a bored female character. I know plenty about getting chicks bored with sex, but I obviously know nothing about what it's like to be a bored chick during sex. I guess a few awkward questions for female friends will have to make due here.
- Waiting tables. Not once does this appear on my Still Surprisingly Shitty Resume, but I think I've seen enough waitresses in action to wing this one (and I'm not altogether sure whether I want to use this for the occupation of one of the characters anyway). If not, gathering a few personal anecdotes from folks couldn't hurt.
- Christian saints. One character will be a devout, old school Catholic who's got the saints down pat. St. Christopher will definitely apply here, and definitely a few others. The more zany and unrealistic the saint, the better, I think. (Ps-- I can't believe sixteen years of Catholic school was not enough of a Saint Primer for me).
There's more of course, but these are the big ones for now. If anyone has anything to offer with these, I'd be happier than a pig in shit.
PS-- check out this Gigantor List of 100 pieces of required reading as dictated by xterminal , patron saint of literature.