Comments on: Those In The Know http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/ What's hip, what's now, what's tomorrow in the romance genre world. Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:26:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Evanne http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/comment-page-1/#comment-23311 Evanne Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:49:59 +0000 http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/#comment-23311 Much as I love books and I really do--IMHO, nothing beats hanging out with the pros in whatever field you're trying to capture. Much as I love books and I really do–IMHO, nothing beats hanging out with the pros in whatever field you’re trying to capture.

]]> By: Laurie S. http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/comment-page-1/#comment-23306 Laurie S. Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:06:04 +0000 http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/#comment-23306 I find that magazines in the field you're researching (trade mags) are really helpful to the fiction writer. They always include the "jargon," either in ads, in the articles, or especially in the "letters to the editor." You get a real sense for how people immersed in this world (whether it's fly fishing or sports management or dentistry or aviation) speak to each other, and what's important to them. I find that magazines in the field you’re researching (trade mags) are really helpful to the fiction writer. They always include the “jargon,” either in ads, in the articles, or especially in the “letters to the editor.” You get a real sense for how people immersed in this world (whether it’s fly fishing or sports management or dentistry or aviation) speak to each other, and what’s important to them.

]]> By: Michelle http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/comment-page-1/#comment-23293 Michelle Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:08:46 +0000 http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/#comment-23293 I write historicals, and have a great book called FUBAR (F****ed Up Beyond All Recognition), a dictionary of slang terms used by the Allied and German forces in WWII. Priceless. I write historicals, and have a great book called FUBAR (F****ed Up Beyond All Recognition), a dictionary of slang terms used by the Allied and German forces in WWII. Priceless.

]]> By: Georgie Lee http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/comment-page-1/#comment-23292 Georgie Lee Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:54:46 +0000 http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/#comment-23292 I picked up the Dictionary of Slang at a garage sale. It comes in handy for dating slang and deciding if it's correct for the period I'm writing in. I picked up the Dictionary of Slang at a garage sale. It comes in handy for dating slang and deciding if it’s correct for the period I’m writing in.

]]> By: Alyssa Goodnight http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/comment-page-1/#comment-23291 Alyssa Goodnight Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:34:35 +0000 http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/#comment-23291 I've never heard of SPOKEN LIKE A PRO, but it sounds great and extraordinarily useful. I'd second your interest in a military version and a government agency version--to help me make it though all those spy thriller movies. I’ve never heard of SPOKEN LIKE A PRO, but it sounds great and extraordinarily useful.

I’d second your interest in a military version and a government agency version–to help me make it though all those spy thriller movies.

]]> By: MplsGirl http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/comment-page-1/#comment-23289 MplsGirl Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:59:16 +0000 http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/#comment-23289 I, too, have SPOKEN LIKE A PRO! It's sitting on my shelf next to another book titled, ONLY IN BOOKS which is a collection of quotes about various topics taken from books of the world. I, too, have SPOKEN LIKE A PRO! It’s sitting on my shelf next to another book titled, ONLY IN BOOKS which is a collection of quotes about various topics taken from books of the world.

]]> By: Donna Alward http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/comment-page-1/#comment-23288 Donna Alward Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:30:53 +0000 http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/#comment-23288 See now I want this book. I also love retaining tidbits of jargon. A friend was going on SERE training. My dh asked me if I knew what that was. I looked at him and proudly said, Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape. When it comes down to it little details lend authenticity. If you pair that with honesty of language in a book, you're going to have something quite readable! LOL See now I want this book.

I also love retaining tidbits of jargon. A friend was going on SERE training. My dh asked me if I knew what that was. I looked at him and proudly said, Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape.

When it comes down to it little details lend authenticity. If you pair that with honesty of language in a book, you’re going to have something quite readable! LOL

]]> By: Kimber Chin http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/comment-page-1/#comment-23287 Kimber Chin Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:28:35 +0000 http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/#comment-23287 I think it is challenging to come up with a concise guide. Slang changes constantly, especially in technology heavy fields. Look at the world of venture capital. I wrote Breach Of Trust, set in that world, 3 short years ago. Doing the final edits for the May release, I was shaking my head because some of the language has changed. BTW... If someone tells you he's an entrepreneur and there's no product/industry attached to that statement, that means he's unemployed. Writers, please do not make your heroes mysterious entrepreneurs unless you want your reader to laugh her butt off. I think it is challenging to come up with a concise guide. Slang changes constantly, especially in technology heavy fields. Look at the world of venture capital. I wrote Breach Of Trust, set in that world, 3 short years ago. Doing the final edits for the May release, I was shaking my head because some of the language has changed.

BTW…
If someone tells you he’s an entrepreneur and there’s no product/industry attached to that statement, that means he’s unemployed. Writers, please do not make your heroes mysterious entrepreneurs unless you want your reader to laugh her butt off.

]]> By: Marianne http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/comment-page-1/#comment-23286 Marianne Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:55:35 +0000 http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/#comment-23286 I've been doing a ton of research into daily life during the depression. I found a great book called "We Had Everything But Money" that not only taught me some things but also gave me great ideas for a story! Honestly, writing aside, I love to read to learn. My DH always asks how I know so much stuff (I adore "Jeopardy"), and I tell him -- from reading fiction! Great post :-) I’ve been doing a ton of research into daily life during the depression. I found a great book called “We Had Everything But Money” that not only taught me some things but also gave me great ideas for a story!

Honestly, writing aside, I love to read to learn. My DH always asks how I know so much stuff (I adore “Jeopardy”), and I tell him — from reading fiction!

Great post :-)

]]> By: Angelia Sparrow http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/comment-page-1/#comment-23285 Angelia Sparrow Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:25:07 +0000 http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2008/01/29/those-in-the-know/#comment-23285 I'd like to see one for truck drivers. They're not an uncommon romance feature, and nothing jars me out of a story faster than something like alcohol on a truck or the notion of a driver carrying a gun. Both of those are things I've seen in published stories. Both of those are highly illegal and can lose a drive his CDL. (Commercial drivers license) I’d like to see one for truck drivers. They’re not an uncommon romance feature, and nothing jars me out of a story faster than something like alcohol on a truck or the notion of a driver carrying a gun.

Both of those are things I’ve seen in published stories. Both of those are highly illegal and can lose a drive his CDL. (Commercial drivers license)

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