I’m still editing. It’s mostly boring work, but I am seeing things that need repair. I find editing tedious, and that means it doesn’t make good blog fodder either. I’ll suffice to say all three manuscripts are up to chapter 11, then leave it there.
Today, I used my headphone with some YouTube playlists. I really like this option, but the advertisements are a nightmare. There are probably some without ads, but I haven’t been lucky enough to find them. I have one that’s instrumental blues, one that’s called samurai warrior music, and one I’ve been saving. It’s all the spaghetti western music by Ennio Morricone. I’m open to hints as to where I can find ad-free versions of long playlists. I don’t mind one up front, or even the occasional peppering. One (in the middle) of every song is too much.
One thing I never mention is that I research constantly. Some things make it to my storyboards, others are simply notes to tuck away.
I learned something about LIDAR. This is kind of like radar, but it’s been used to discover lost civilizations in the rain forest and other places. I have a story way in the future that will need this information.
I need a name for a group of celebrity ghost hunters. They’re going to be obstacles for Lizzie and the hat sometime this Spring. I’m having no luck, but the best I came up with is The Four Clairs. (Meaning Clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, and claircognizance.) I’m not thrilled with it, but might run with it.
Technetium is another discovery. It’s a radioactive, rare earth, material. I doubt it’s truly dangerous, but I can still write it that way. My idea involves aliens, and it’s way in the future. This one only has a sheet of notes. There isn’t even a storyboard yet, but I think there will be. I like the ideas I’m getting for this one.
I’ve also been looking up images of Alfred E. Neuman. It’s for a gag in one of the upcoming hat stories. Even some of the humor needs a bit of research.
Maybe this is one of my secrets. I have things developing all the time. Some of them will never get there. When I’m ready for a project, I usually have something pretty close to jump on.
I haven’t shared a Pinterest Board for a while, and some of you seem to enjoy them. I create these things for inspiration. Sometimes I return to them for ideas about creatures, settings, characters, and more. Not usually for main characters, but supporting things. Let’s go for one of the big ones today. This is my Fantasy Board https://pin.it/1JYU7Vm
Interesting board.
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Thanks for checking it out.
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These images should inspire something! A fun page. Your research bounces all over the place, too:)
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Overactive imagination, for sure.
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I have a YouTube Ad blocker as one of my google chrome add-ons. Helps out a lot.
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I’ll have to see if something like that exists for Apple products. Thanks.
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You’ve a lot of great images. Your Board is one of the best I’ve seen.
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Thank you, Gwen. I spent a long time assembling some of these. I see some duplication, but it still serves my purposes.
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If you need someone familiar with LIDAR for research questions, my son is a geologist with a Master’s degree in LIDAR. Just sayin’. When you said the Four Clairs, I immediately thought of Mae, lol.
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See, I thought of the same thing. I just can’t come up with anything perfect for their show. Nice to know about your son, but it will only amount to a sentence or two in the larger scheme.
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Those ads would drive me nuts too. I haven’t found a free option that comes without them so far, but if I do, I’ll give you a shout. The research sounds like fun, and I love your Pinterest board. Have a great week, Craig. Hugs 💕🙂
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Thanks for checking out the board. On Charles’ recommendation, I downloaded an app and it works to kill the ads.
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Fantastic! 💖
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Interesting research, Craig. You do a great job.
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Thank you. I’m always working ahead on something. Some of them even turn into books eventually.
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Editing is a necessary evil for sure, Craig. I haven’t found an ad-free streaming yet. Still looking. 🙂 Another interesting Pinterest board. Thanks for sharing!
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Charles sent me looking. With limited testing, Tube Pro seems to kill the YouTube ads. Thanks for checking out the board.
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I had to come back with another comment after scrolling through the Pinterest board. The witch hunter’s coat really jumped out at me. What if your group of celebrity ghost hunters all wear something like this? It would be pretty cool, I think!
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That’s a great idea. Thanks.
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I was introduced to LIDAR when I read The Lost City of Z (I think). Fascinating stuff – I look forward to seeing you work it into one of your books!
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It will be a couple of years, but this one seems to be sticking with me. Thanks, Noelle.
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I can wait! 🙂
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Researching is fun, efiting is not!
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Totally agree.
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The Four Clairs works. 🙂 How fun. And I like how you’re always researching, Craig. What a great way to spark your imagination. 🙂 Happy Editing (if that’s possible).
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I still want to come up with something better, but at least I have that to fall back on.
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I also do a lot of research and much of it never ends up in the story.
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So much of it winds up being a line here and there.
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Technetium? Interesting. (I’ve never heard of it.) I laughed at “The Four Clairs.” If that’s the effect you’re going for, especially if there are four of them, I think you nailed it.
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Still debating the name. I’m glad I have a backup name. Might have to run with it.,
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The Four Clairs isn’t too bad a name. It does indicate something about their powers.
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Or their fake abilities. I want these guys to be almost cartoonish so my main characters can mess with them.
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