Has anyone run into the need to research while they're writing to be sure their facts are straight? I'm presently researching head trauma, specifically from gunshot wound, and I found three really good, really dense sites. I had to research before I could write any more because of a stumbling block. Bleh.
And in case anyone is really bored and wants a couple of really good sites on penetrating head trauma, I'll include the links here:
http://www.bcm.edu/oto/grand/8593.html
http://www.bcm.edu/oto/grand/02_12_04.htm
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/247664-followup
Anyone else stuck on anything??
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There's an old folk saying that goes: Whenever you delete a sentence in your NaNoWriMo novel, a NaNoWriMo angel loses its wings and plummets, screaming, to the ground.
7,158 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 16 16
Oh my god yes! I've had the hardest time starting mine because I needed to get my facts straight and figure out what's happened (scientifically) to my world and whether or not it was even probable (the impossible is fine by me). I'm currently researching how large of a supervolcano could create a volcanic winter or potentially start a new ice age without destroying the world. And also how long it would take for said volcanic winter to start affecting things.
What's awesome about this is that I just LOVE volcanoes and anything to do with them so this is pretty fun for me. :D
----------Years Entered: 2006, 2007, 2008
Years Dominated: 2006, 2007, 2008
Novel: Unknown
Words: 458
38,223 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 16 40
As long as it's something you're interested in, it makes the research that much more interesting. The funny thing is, the information about the head trauma gave me an insight into this character I've been learning about and evolving for the last... maybe ten years or so. Some of his quirks that I just could NOT explain were solved by the head wound he suffered at an early age. It's really interesting to see things like that come together, especially since the character developed them almost entirely on his own.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that has trouble writing without having facts.
----------There's an old folk saying that goes: Whenever you delete a sentence in your NaNoWriMo novel, a NaNoWriMo angel loses its wings and plummets, screaming, to the ground.
37,285 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 01 36
Unfortunately one of my major characters has been bitten by a snake and I'm finding the need to do research on survivable snake bites that could occur in Virginia. Luckily, even the poisonous snakes in Virginia are apparently not generally fatal so my copperhead fits into the book beautifully. The character is important enough that I really need to know what a snake bite would feel like and how long it would take to recover. I can get the medical details ok, but if anyone knows someone bitten by a snake -- or feels up to making up something that sounds really good, it would be very helpful. You see I'm absolutely terrified of snakes and don't especially want to look at them even for research. Why my stupid character had to go and get herself bitten is beyond me.
I've also considered just killing her or changing it to a less important character and then it wouldn't matter how they feel because the whole thing would be moot. For added fun, someone may use the Traveling Shovel of Death to kill the snake. However, I thought I'd give realism a try first.
----------Di Maxwell
"You can't wait for inspiration; you have to go after it with a club." -- Jack London
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Nov 7, 2009 - 07 22
During NaNo, I will put [brackets] around a key phrase to indicate I need to do more research. For me, taking time to stop and research during the 30-day blitz is unproductive while trying to make the wordcount goals.
Once NaNo is over, I go back and do a search for the brackets, make a list of research needs, and then go do a proper, unrushed job of researching.
Just my two cents...
38,223 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 14 14
I don't know someone who knows what it's like, but I know Lovedless is a vet tech and once she gets back to the house (she's shopping for corn chips for dinner presently), I will let her know and see if she has any information for you. I could tell you that the venom makes the tissues swell and I know she's at least read about what happens to dogs that have been bitten by rattlesnakes, so she might have some help for you.
Hopefully someone knows something.
There is also a Livejournal community called "Little Details" and is for people who need details on the writing. Although it won't make for a FAST answer, it will allow you to get details that you otherwise might not be able to googlesearch for and find.
http://community.livejournal.com/little_details/
And with an edit, she says to get in touch with her and she'll talk you through it. She's seen it in animals. And now she just said she'll be here on the forums. Originally I was typing as she talked. LOL
----------There's an old folk saying that goes: Whenever you delete a sentence in your NaNoWriMo novel, a NaNoWriMo angel loses its wings and plummets, screaming, to the ground.
38,223 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 14 07
Once NaNo is over, I go back and do a search for the brackets, make a list of research needs, and then go do a proper, unrushed job of researching.
Just my two cents...
That's an awesome idea. Researching while writing really IS a challenge. The problem with researching later for me at least is since the injury was a head trauma and something the character is going to be dealing with his whole life, I don't want to have to read back through everything to make sure he's acting in spades.
I know, I know. That's my inner editor talking. **feeds it some caramel**
I'll have to try putting that idea to use, though.
There's an old folk saying that goes: Whenever you delete a sentence in your NaNoWriMo novel, a NaNoWriMo angel loses its wings and plummets, screaming, to the ground.
----------There's an old folk saying that goes: Whenever you delete a sentence in your NaNoWriMo novel, a NaNoWriMo angel loses its wings and plummets, screaming, to the ground.
0 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2009 - 07 21
I've also considered just killing her or changing it to a less important character and then it wouldn't matter how they feel because the whole thing would be moot. For added fun, someone may use the Traveling Shovel of Death to kill the snake. However, I thought I'd give realism a try first.
Snake bite...have you ever been bitten by a dog or cat or something? If the bite goes far enough into the skin it may cause the bone to feel almost numb. Well a snakes tooth is about the same so it like grazes the bone sometimes. Depending on the lock of the snake, so you aren't just experiencing the excruciating pain of the snake going through skin, but the venom some people can feel that, especially when the blood starts running down their leg and you're just getting creeped out that this snake is attached to you. Get it off me! Get it off me!
......I'd be so tripping out.
----------Type to live....Die to do something else....
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Nov 9, 2009 - 20 53
Lovedless hasn't forgotten about you Maxwell. We just had a rather unfortunate accident in her kitchen involving a fire extinguisher and had to take care of all that fooforah. I'll poke her with a stick after her 12 hour day tomorrow or, most likely, Thursday. Sorry for it to be so long. *hugs* Hope the writing is going well!
----------There's an old folk saying that goes: Whenever you delete a sentence in your NaNoWriMo novel, a NaNoWriMo angel loses its wings and plummets, screaming, to the ground.
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Nov 10, 2009 - 19 11
I've also considered just killing her or changing it to a less important character and then it wouldn't matter how they feel because the whole thing would be moot. For added fun, someone may use the Traveling Shovel of Death to kill the snake. However, I thought I'd give realism a try first.
Not sure how much you know about snake bites, but there are generally two classifications: a dry bite where no or little venom is released and then there are bites that are intended to deliver a full venom load. The latter can be considered a "wet" bite but there's not much of a consensus as to terminology as best I know. it varies by region but the point is still the same regardless.
Snakes have several "species" sub-types, and since you specified copperhead, I'll be a little more in depth on the pit vipers. There would be up to two puncture wounds, as they can raise one or both for their strike, and will deposit venom in accordance to how big they "think" their prey would need. The bite itself would be similar to a hard hit with a stick or a ball just from the weight of the snake impacting your body. The actual puncture would be much like getting skewered by a long thorn. Depending on how sensitive your character is to painful stimuli and where its located, I would generalize this to being along the lines of getting your flu shot or your ears pierced for the initial puncture and a deep aching "burn" afterwards.
Venom, if in the blood stream, has its own series of side effects, mostly making the victim nauseated, disoriented, feverish, etc. It also can cause serious tissue death, as the components of it are meant to kill the intended recipient. Most snakes have a high bacterial load in their mouths (think about what they eat) and almost always cause infection just by that alone. Aftercare would be highly recommended course of antibiotics and constant wound cleaning. An abscess is not uncommon, considering there is depth to this kind of wound. There is high potential for scarring, especially if the healing process is hindered.
As DeAubrey said, I'm a Vet Tech. While I personally have not been bit by a snake, I have dealt with snake bite cases (cats, dogs, horses) as well as handled and restrained them. Take into consideration the age of your snake (size, "aggressiveness," recent feeding activity since all of that does impact on strike interest and delivery) the scenario that would have prompted them to bite (are they looking for dinner? or were they protecting themselves after being flushed from their nest?) and how your character would respond to the event (did they see it? were they involved in a stare down of epic proportions, giving them time to raise their anxiety and blood pressure?)
Hope that helps.
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Nov 10, 2009 - 19 37
......I'd be so tripping out.
Venom-injecting snakes typically don't hang on as you've described if this is a defensive action. Meaning, if you startled one and it strikes, the only "cling" effect would be if a tooth is stuck and hasn't broken off yet. In my experience, for intended strikes, if their prey is any sizable threat to them they will bite and withdraw, letting thier venom inebriate their victim until they can safely complete their feeding process. While there can be multiple bites in the same region, its uncommon for there to be multiple "pumps" of the venom gland in a single bite.
And while most people find teeth to be teeth, most snake teeth are much finer and less "blunt" than a cat or dog. While a cat bite is painful, there is more pounds per square inch in pressure applied than compared to a snake's bite, and when compounded that their teeth are not as "sharp" that leaves the victim with more "bruising" pain (if that makes sense.) They have a protective sheath covering, so the large saber tooth tiger look isn't all dentition.
General addendum on snake bites: http://www.surviveoutdoors.com/reference/snakes/snake-bites.asp
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/snake-venom.gif - snake anatomy (head)
http://media.photobucket.com/image/copperhead+teeth/Flyers263/Snake%20Bi... <--someone's personal run-in with a snake bite to the foot.