Don't want to google it? Okay, okay...
It's just a science geeks way of saying caffeine... Really!
That is the chemicle make up of caffeine. As any good writer knows, caffeine is one of the basic food groups. It's up there with protein, I am sure of it.
Can't live without it, for too long. Certainly can't write with out it.
Have you ever looked up C8H10N4O2 on Wikipedia? Whoa, it's quite frightening. I read it and felt like a bad girl. I don't trust Wiki sites for most things, but caffeine seems harmless enough to believe what is written on the page.
Which brings me to a question for the writer's of the world (well, at least the ones who read Ellipses)...
Where do you go to research?
Do you ask your peers? Head straight to google? Ask your kids (if you are writing a YA/Children's book)? Ask your significant other? Ask the aliens? Or maybe the voices in your head (some people claim it's their muse, but we know better... don't we)?
I do a variety of things when I research. I don't take anyone's answer as "honest truth" until it's confirmed by 3-5 others. Makes life complicated sometimes, because I just want to be accurate. There is nothing I hate more then reading a novel and getting to an area the author did NO research on. I try to do my research and get it right so I don't annoy my readers. Though, I will be the first to admit I still probably have it wrong. Especially if my 3-5 people are misinformed.
It's important to do research though, even on things you may think are black and white. Sometimes, our circumstances in life change those hues and it's just not what we think anymore.
So my encouragement for today... Drink your caffeine... and do your research. Your audience will thank you for it... and your editor will kiss you.
Oh? No kisses? Maybe that's just my editor.
Research is so important--and I keep thinking that if I ever actually publish, that will be the first I get hammered on. "WTF? Can't believe this author didn't realize that hospitals don't use actual paper for admitting patients anymore! Get a clue, moron!" I'm totally anticipating this kind of criticism. Readers are smart. I swear, they pick up on EVERYTHING! So you're right, it's important to double check everything.
ReplyDeleteSo that's what I'm guzzling down every morning.
ReplyDeleteYummy!
:lol:
On research. I google. I put out frantic SOSs on all the loops and boards. I pester everyone I come into contact with. Since I write suspense or romantic suspense-- I cold call the police station. Now those are some interesting conversations. "No really, I'm writing a book. I just want to know how long it would take someone to die from a 9mm gunshot wound...I'm not actually planning on shooting anyone with a 9mm."
My last SOS was to my cousin, who is a doctor. I needed a particular hormonal imbalance....she was kind enough to find one for me. :lol: