Random stuff to entertain you...

Still working away on revisions, so limited blog time again. : )

 

But here are a few things I found interesting and wanted to share...

 

First, my friend Becky, an avid traveler, read about my experience with de-icing and wrote the following:

 

Stac, I had to email you about your latest blog and de-icing. As a traveler (especially from northern MI), de-icing is a ritual that we live with on every flight. So I chuckled at your comments. It never occurred to me that people who don't fly may be off put a bit by being de-iced, and not realize it's a COMMON happening during the winter months. Did you know that the de-icing liquid (which comes in pink and orange varieties) is actually the same thing as inexpensive shampoo? Basically you are making the wings too slippery for water to build up on and freeze. Also, because de-icing is only good for 13 minutes, you want to be on the plane when it happens. That's also why planes generally are delayed in the winter. It takes time to de-ice a plane, and you don't want to do it until the plane itself is within 13 minutes of taxiing down the runway. It causes a backup, especially at large places like O'Hare. See, I'm a plethora of de-icing information. :) So, next time you are on a plane being de-iced, breathe easy dear friend...it's good. (Actually, if you are on a small prop-job plane like we get up here, don't breathe easy, breathe shallow - that stuff stinks!)

 

Thanks for the info, Beck. Fascinating stuff. I LOVE random bits of fact like this. : ) Never know when the smallest detail (like the de-icing stuff being pink or orange) can be used in a scene to add that touch of veracity.

 

Second, check out Barbara Vey's blog entry with Margie Lawson, a kinesics specialist, on body language. This is incredibly useful information for writers when you're trying to convey emotion without being direct or obvious. Or, when you're trying to convey an emotion that the character doesn't want to acknowledge he or she is feeling...if that makes sense! So, check it out. There's even a quiz!!!

 

Finally, Barbara also has an excerpt from Diana Holquist's blog on the issue of posting e-books for the world to read (ala Napster) without the author or publisher's permission. Diana, in the excerpt, explains it beautifully. It's not just about the money. It's about sales. Publishers LIVE by the numbers, therefore writers must as well. If a writer does not sell enough copies, he/she may not be offered another contract, regardless of quality of writing, story originality, fan response, etc. That means, every copy counts. E-books are an especially tricky thing because, unlike paperbacks, when you "loan" copy of an ebook, you're actually duplicating it. You get a copy and the person you're sending it to gets a copy. I thought it was good information and a passionate plea for understanding from Diana.

 

Also, just a note, this same idea doesn't really apply to paperbacks, obviously. Most of us use libraries, borrow from friends and even visit used bookstores. But in each case, the author has been paid for that copy of the work. Multiple people are reading that copy, but that's okay because it's not duplication. I, for one, think it's great to borrow, lend or buy used. People are far more likely to take a chance on a new author at a library or a used bookstore. : )

 

Okay, back to work now!