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This week: Using Research in Writing Edited by: Vivian  
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I liked an author once upon a time, until she hadn't researched something so easy to find by looking at a map of Oklahoma. The setting of her book was Oklahoma in the time when the mode of travel included horses or horse and wagon or buggy. The town of Woodward is in the northwest corner of the state, almost in the panhandle. Red Rock is about 40-50 miles south of the Kansas-Oklahoma line, nearly half way between the west state line and the east line, about a four or five hour drive by car from Woodward. Lawton is southwest of Red Rock, about another four or five hour journey by car. The Red River is about two or three hours south of Lawton, by car.
This author wrote that Red Rock was less than a day's ride in a wagon pulled by one horse from Woodward. She said a person traveled from Red Rock to Lawton in an hour by horse. People in Lawton had picnics on the bank of the Red River.
Research, just a few minutes of looking at a map, would have shown the fallacies of her writing.
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Using Research in Writing
If any description, any event, any person is based on fact, a writer should research the information to be sure that it is used correctly. For example, my historical novel takes place in the ancient times of King Ahaz of Judea. King Ahaz followed the idol Molech, and he even sacrificed his own children to the idol. To make sure the events were true to the times and practices, I had to research subjects that didn't have in-depth records. Much of the information I found wouldn't be used, but it was necessary for me to be able to understand the life of 750 - 850 BC.
For example, I researched Molech, the actual idol, the worship practices, its origin. Below is a small amount of the material I found. I divided my research into several parts, and I'm sharing just some of the background concerning Molech and his name.
Molech worshipers sacrificed children by fire. According to the Bible, King Ahaz of Judah sacrificed his children (stated by some writings and scriptures) or his son (according to others).
The name Molech is believed to have originated from the word mlk, a Phoenician word for a type of sacrifice to confirm a vow. The name has been spelled as Milcom, Milkim, Malik, and Moloch. The Molech statue consisted of a brass or bronze figure with the head of a bull and the body of a man. The statue was hollow with an opening where a fire could be built inside the statue.
The pagan god (or, demon, more accurately) Molech was worshiped by heating the statue representing the god until it was red hot, then placing a living infant on the outstretched hands of the statue, while beating drums drowned out the screams of the child until it burned to death. Also, infants, or older children, could be placed inside the body of the idol, where the fire was built, or in a vat full of fire under the outstretched hands.
Of the three paragraphs above, I'll use very little, but the background helps me better picture the idol and the process to set up a sacrifice. Most readers wouldn't notice if I missed some of the reality, but my research would help make the scenes depicting the act believable. Any historians would also realize I researched my subject.
Therefore, a good writer will research even if writing fiction. |
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Words from Our Readers
My last newsletter concerned writing about abuse.
Steve adding writing to ntbk. 
I am a victim of abuse in all three areas. I speak out against it because I know others will find an affinity with what I write. They will know they are not alone and that there is help and hope.
monty31802
I seldom answer your News Letters and I have to say even one who has turned his attention to poetry can learn from you. Thank you Viv.
Joto-Kai 
We pass on our beliefs to our children, and they draw conclusions from our acts, good and evil. Any of these things, even outside of a true pattern of abuse, could cause harm if the children interpreted these things in just such a way. Maybe Mom is a whiner, or Dad is making a joke when he degrades her. Even if Mom knows he's kidding, the daughter could decide to never be a whiner. As a result, she's got an inoperable tumor she could have easily taken care of. Or she marries a man who beats her - which Father never did - and just "grins and bears it."
Of course there's examples of abuse that missed. People who are kinder because their parents were cruel. My own friend just cut out beer - a large part of his life - going on six weeks because one day, fighting off a drunk rage, he looked in the mirror and saw his father. So maybe the daughter is a cop, sticks up for the weak, but... puts up with too much, from her husband. Everything's a mixed bag, even evil has good consequences. Was it Shakespeare who said, "It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good?"
Quick-Quill 
I saw this very thing on Criminal Minds. The father and children accused the mother of never going to their school meetings and never kept the house clean and never being a good mother. It was sirect conflict of what the BAU saw when they investigated. It had me hooked to find who was the killer..... I know abuse. Mental and emotional. My kids see it and have their issues. Sometimes its subtle but the digs are demeaning and demoralizing.
ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! This message needs to be followed by every parent. Words spoken in front of, in the hearing of children, have power. It's up to each parent to choose that their words be positive, helpful, truth while being aware that children are listening. Thank you.
Thank you for joining me this issue. I'll be back.
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For Authors: November 12, 2014 Issue [#6651]
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