The Best Way to Research Your Novel

What is the best way to do research for a novel?

Have your grandparents stop over with ice cream and answer all your questions!

Of course, technically I couldn't eat the ice cream (on a special health diet now...more olive oil tonight) but just seeing my grandparents was much better than a bowl of custard, (even from Culvers). Then they answered all sorts of questions about living in a small midwestern town in 1963. I learned all sorts of interesting facts.

For example. Did you know that in those days, families would rent out freezer "lockers" at the local meat market? They'd bring half of an animal of their choice (usually a pig or a cow) and the meat guy would chop it up into steaks and stuff, and then he'd put it in one of his big freezer.

I also found out lots of details about dairy farms and phones and kitchens and housewife routines and fabric and dresses and dates and drive-ins and wages. Still have to contact a great-aunt and uncle to learn more about parties and dances...

Oh, and on top of all this fact finding, I also wrote about 4000 words today. I feel very satisfied.

HP and the Cartoon Prince #16

Mhmmm. I'm going to have to sit down and make some more of these before next Monday...

Fairytales and SciFic

It's really not surprising that with NaNoWriMo, I don't really have time for long blog posts. Plus I've been suffering from headaches lately, which makes it painful to think sometimes.

However, for you fairytale lovers, I just wanted to tip you off on the "Once Upon a Time" series from Simon & Schuster. They're written by many differant authors, and, though short, are entertaining and fun quick reads. Especially if you're sick and dying for good light fiction.

Also, if you're an X-Man fan, see if you can get ahold of some of the X-Men: First Class comics. They're cleaner and more appropriate than a lot of the newer comics, and they also are single-issue storylines which makes it possible to pick one up and not be totally lost. The premise of this title is the "unknown" adventures of the first class of X-Men: Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel and Iceman. It's pretty funny and especially good for anyone who may be new to the X-Men or Marvel universe. There are also some fun cameos from other Marvel titles like Fantastic Four, Spiderman and The Avengers.

HP and the Cartoon Prince #15

NaNo Story - Common Denomination Misconceptions

This is specifically towards those of you who are Catholics, although the questions could be reversed for those who are Protestant.

In my NaNo novel I'm dealing with the interaction of a Protestant Girl and a Catholic Family. Now I've had a lot of interaction with Catholics myself, but I want to make sure that I'm getting a wide scope here. So if you could take a few minutes to answer these questions for the sake of the book, that would be awesome.

Just as a warning - by answering this question, you are giving me permission to use your answer or question in my novel. If I do so, I will put your name in the awknowledgements.

As a Catholic, what do you think is the most common misconception Protestants have about you? How would you answer it?

Also as a Catholic, what misconceptions have you had, or questions do you still have about Protestantism?

Monk publishes Pro-Harry Potter Book

I thought this was pretty cool...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/6468179/Benedictine-monk-publishes-Christian-reading-of-Harry-Potter.html

HP and the Cartoon Prince #14