Friday, September 16, 2011

Research

I love doing research when it means going somehwere. My seventh book which I'm writing now and I'm calling Knot What It Seams, is involved with a TV production on location. It's a common sight around here, but walking by and being nosy is one thing, getting inside is something different all together.

Tomorrow I'm going to an infomerical shoot. Even though it's in a studio somewhere rather than on the street, the basics will be similar. There will be a director, a crew, equiipment, prop people, makeup people, a star. I'll be looking at everything and comparing it to what I've written. It will be a chance to ask some questions i need answers for. And it will be fun.

I just got some paper work about the Writers Police Academy next week in Greensboro, NC. It sounds interesting, but exhausting - buses leave at 7:30 a.m. for the place the classes are being given. They said there is lots of walking, standing around, and being outside, but definitely no nap time. Food seems to be scarce, too. No restaurants near the classes, but there are vending machine. That usually means chips and maybe a bag of peanuts if you're a vegetarian. I'm definitely taking a box of Mojo bars.

And there was a reminder in the note from one of the organizers. Leave your weapons at home. It makes me wonder who else is coming to this program.

6 comments:

Linda O. Johnston said...

Your research sounds like great fun, Betty--but be sure to watch your back at the Writers Police Academy! I think research is one of the best parts of writing, too. I've especially enjoyed watching training sessions of the Small Animal Rescue Team of Los Angeles Animal Services.

Betty Hechtman said...

The Small Animal Rescue Team's training sounds interesting. Rescue teams in general are fascinating. I always wonder about the kind of people who do those sorts of things.

JanG said...

The research part sounds like fun. The deprivation sounds like a Sixties "est" conference. Good luck!

Planner said...

"Leave your weapons at home"--now that's something you don't often see on a program. It will definitely be an experience!

Betty Hechtman said...

Jan, I remember hearing about est conferences. They wouldn't even let you go to the bathroom.

Betty Hechtman said...

Planner, I am definitely curious about who else is going to this conference.