tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post2042382450363185268..comments2023-09-16T05:02:59.946-07:00Comments on Heroines with Hearts: Friday Friends with Jo Ann FergusonDebra St. Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-85452876908413227682010-04-05T08:11:48.097-07:002010-04-05T08:11:48.097-07:00A Postscript to this: I heard from a friend today...A Postscript to this: I heard from a friend today who is writing a fanfiction story. She wanted to find out where schools in a New Hampshire town held their graduations in the 1980's, couldn't find this info on the internet so called a high school in the town. The woman who answered transferred her to the Principal who then talked to her for a half hour, telling her all about the town in the 80s, the political and social climate, the kids, graduation ceremonies, etc. <br />Seems like it's definitely worth asking questions!Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-56228430346051418492010-04-04T13:53:10.166-07:002010-04-04T13:53:10.166-07:00Thanks for all your advice, Jo-Ann, that was great...Thanks for all your advice, Jo-Ann, that was great information about how to find out more about place and events.<br />I loved your comment about being a history snob. As a historian by profession, I can definitely relate to that. I have no patience with so-called historical stories where there are obvious errors, and every admiration for authors who thoroughly research their historical background.Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-87373984876813576062010-04-03T10:30:58.079-07:002010-04-03T10:30:58.079-07:00Paula, I've found a very polite note introduci...Paula, I've found a very polite note introducing myself and my project almost always gets a response. Finding the actual contact is usually via web sites after a Google search. Almost every web site has a "contact me/us" button somewhere on it. When I contacted the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral to find out about a specific event in the cathedral's history, I went through the web site -- and was shocked to hear back in less than 24 hours. CADW, the Welsh heritage group, has been extremely helpful with my questions. In some cases, the experts' answers are simply, "we don't know." which works just fine for a writer, because then the writer can make the event fit her story. I'm a history snob, so I won't change history (except in a paranormal) to fit my story. <br /><br />My husband and I travel to England about once a year, so I have the advantage of visiting many of the places I write about. I talk a LOT of photos. Before we began traveling like that in 2001, I relied on photos and texts from the time period. One of my greatest compliments from my first editor was when she asked, "When was the last time you were in England?" and I hadn't gone there yet...and she'd studied there and knew the country well. So just plain research can help with setting the scene. If you go in person, my advice to people is "turn around and look what's behind you when you're looking at a specific site." At some point, my characters always look in the opposite direction and I need to know what's there, too <br /><br />I've got a couple of articles on resarch on my blog at http://jocelynkelley.com/blog if you ever want to wander over and page through to find them. They'd be under "writing tips".<br /><br />Thanks to all for questions/posts!Jo Annhttp://www.joannferguson.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-16891680916842265102010-04-02T17:35:44.172-07:002010-04-02T17:35:44.172-07:00Hi JoAnn,
Thanks for joining us today! Sorry I...Hi JoAnn,<br /><br />Thanks for joining us today! Sorry I'm so late checking in...we had gorgeous weather here today in the Midwest and I spent all day outdoors enjoying it while it lasts.<br /><br />Great advice on revisions. It's always easier to see where things need to be tweaked if I've been away from a project for a while.Debra St. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-76051345925100579052010-04-02T12:23:27.931-07:002010-04-02T12:23:27.931-07:00Hi, Jo Ann.
A really interesting interview, thank ...Hi, Jo Ann.<br />A really interesting interview, thank you! <br />Your method of approaching someone as part of your research was very useful, but I also wondered how you found someone to write to you when you don't have an actual contact or an introduction from someone. I'm also interested in how you research the settings of your books e.g. Regency Cornwall?Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-60100879480910970022010-04-02T12:22:52.056-07:002010-04-02T12:22:52.056-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-4746727596393385842010-04-02T11:25:13.085-07:002010-04-02T11:25:13.085-07:00I had critique partners when I first started writi...I had critique partners when I first started writing, but not for the past 10 years or so. I have a couple of friends who will read for me when I need another set of eyes. And my husband is always my first reader. I do write fast, and oddly, I find when I write faster, I write better. I become very connected to the characters that way.<br /><br />Thanks for posting!Jo Annhttp://www.joannferguson.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-32777272168680877452010-04-02T10:34:50.079-07:002010-04-02T10:34:50.079-07:00Wow, Jo Ann. Thanks for being here today.
I love y...Wow, Jo Ann. Thanks for being here today.<br />I love your wording of "re-vision." Do you have critique partners? It sounds like you write fast, and I was wondering if they were able to keep up with you. Have you accelerated your writing pace over time?<br />AnaAna Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12325215832587691886noreply@blogger.com