When writing my 4-book Dragonslayer series, I did a lot of research: library research (interlibrary loan is one of my best friends) and physical research (taking courses in blacksmithing and using medieval weapons – my main character Astrid is a female blacksmith who makes swords for dragonslayers). But while writing the final book in the series (which I'm wrapping up right now), I fell in love with an unexpected but very exciting research tool.
A Flip camcorder.
My love affair with Flip began when I bought it with the intent of making my own book trailers. My standalone novel (Our Lady of the Absolute, a modern-day fantasy/mystery/thriller inspired by ancient Egypt) had just been published, and I decided I wanted to make videos of character interviews and put them on YouTube. In the past I've dabbled in the equivalent of student filmmaking – I already had experience in running casting calls and working with actors. I'm lucky to live near a major city and have access to 8000 actors looking for work. So I put together some casting calls and selected actors to portray four of the most important characters in my novel. I wrote the scripts for these interviews and I shot the short videos that I used as book trailers. To this day, I'm thrilled with the results.
For a long time I thought of Flip as something I'd use only when I wanted to make book trailers. Gradually, I began using it more and more, sometimes to take a still shot that I wanted to put on my website or on Facebook. I also used it to record footage of baby birds on my balcony when they were still in the nest but testing their wings. (This footage includes one baby almost flying away by accident, only to recover and then fall face-first back into the nest. No worries – the baby was fine. The link to see this video is at the bottom of this post.)
If you read my last guest post on this blog tour, you've read about my research trip to Scandinavia. I had the bright idea of taking Flip on that trip with me. That's when I discovered it's the best research tool I've ever found. I filled up its 2-hour memory with footage of landscapes and sights that I'm thinking about using for my next book series. I found it was especially helpful when I went to museums, because I could take a quick shot of written descriptions of objects along with the objects themselves – this means I no longer need to take notes when I find something interesting! I just shoot a video of it instead!
My Flip comes with software that makes it easy for me to edit anything I shoot. I also bought a program that makes it easy for me to take the videos I've created and download them onto DVDs. I find that making short videos about specific subjects makes it easy for me to create my own library of visual research material. That means that whenever I need to refresh my memory about anything I've shot, all I have to do is pop in the DVD I've made, glance through the lineup of short videos on that DVD, and play the one I need. In the case where I've shot descriptions of objects in museums, I can freeze the frame and take all the time I want or need to read it.
I've even started using Flip to do research for short stories. I recently wrote a story that takes place at a specific location not too far from where I live. I made a day trip of it and took Flip with me. I recorded everything I thought I might like to have. When I went home, I edited my footage into a single video. I watched that video several times while I was writing the short story, and it was amazingly helpful. (The short story itself needs work before I submit it anywhere, but that's another issue!)
Ironically, my understanding is that the makers of the Flip have discontinued it, which is something I don't understand. It's one of the best and most useful products I've ever owned. As a novelist, I can't imagine my writing life without it! In fact, I've just put a new book trailer for my newest release, The Iron Maiden (Book 2 in the Dragonslayer series) on YouTube.
If you'd like to see any of the videos I've made with my beloved Flip, here's where you can find them:
The Iron Maiden trailer
Baby birds on my balcony: http://youtu.be/w_0bPKmaVuo
Our Lady of the Absolute trailer #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfRC5lzmIgY
Our Lady of the Absolute trailer #2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAuCQrbFNEY
Our Lady of the Absolute trailer #3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMle4XATwB8
Our Lady of the Absolute trailer #4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB05wLCTy-o
During this blog tour I’m telling lots of stories about the research I’ve done for my Dragonslayer series. You can find out where I’ve been and where I’m going next by checking my website (http://www.resanelson.com), my Facebook page (Resa Nelson & The Dragonslayer’s Sword), or following me on Twitter (ResaNelson).
If you’d like to sample my work for free, you can download a free “mini” ebook called “Dragonslayer Stories” from my website at http://www.resanelson.com/files. No cost, no obligation, nothing to sign up for, no information gathering. I like giving away samples of my work so you can decide for yourself whether you like it or not. If you do, you can enter to win a copy of the first two books in my series, which I’ll give away at the end of this tour on Feb. 14. To enter, just send email to ResaBonusGifts@aol.com. (I won’t keep your email address – this just makes it easier for me to keep track of entries.) I’m also doing a book giveaway on GoodReads, so you can enter to win there at http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/19270-the-dragonslayer-s-sword
About the books
Synopsis for The Dragonslayer’s Sword (Book 1)
For Astrid, a blacksmith who makes swords for dragonslayers, the emergence of a strange gemstone from her body sets in motion a chain of events that threaten to destroy her life. Her happiness is shattered when her lover--the dragonslayer--disappears without a trace, and the life that she knows and loves implodes without warning.
Astrid lives in a world of shapeshifters whose thoughts have the power to change not only themselves but others. Everything Astrid knows to be true is called into question when she learns the truth about her past and the mysterious family from which she was separated as a child.
Reality turns inside out as Astrid gradually learns the truth about the people she loves as well as those she disdains. With the fate of dragons, ghosts, and slaves in foreign lands resting on her shoulders, Astrid faces the challenge of deciding who she is and how she will stand up inside her own skin. Will she withdraw and hide from the world that has disappointed her so much...or will she rise to lead others to freedom and peace?
Synopsis for The Iron Maiden (Book 2)
Astrid is reluctant to travel the winter route beyond the Northlands, even though it’s her duty. She’d rather stay home in her village, surrounded by friends and neighbors. Ignoring the bonds of tradition, she decides to spend the cold winter months in the warmth of her blacksmithing shop. Why should she leave the comfort of her cottage to serve and protect foreigners who might raid and harm her native Northlands?
Everything changes when a traveling merchant steals Starlight, the first dragonslayer’s sword Astrid forged and her last link to her sweetheart DiStephan. Having no time to alert her friends, Astrid races in pursuit of the merchant, determined to reclaim Starlight as her own and return home in time for dinner. Instead, her quest leads her to new lands, unexpected friendships with foreigners, and a harrowing encounter with the damage done by the followers of a new god that considers women as nothing more than servants to men. All the while, she must be ready to face any dragon traveling the winter route.
In Book 2 of the Dragonslayer series, Astrid must learn that deciding who she is isn’t a decision she can make just once. It’s a decision she must make every day.
About the Author
Her first novel, The Dragonslayer’s Sword, was nominated for the Nebula Award, the highest honor in science fiction and fantasy. It was also a Finalist for the EPPIE Award. This medieval fantasy novel is based on a short story first published in the premiere issue of Science Fiction Age magazine and ranked 2nd in that magazine's first Readers Top Ten Poll. The Dragonslayer's Sword is Book 1 in a 4-book series. Book 2, The Iron Maiden, was recently published. Book 3 is scheduled for publication in Summer 2012.
Resa's standalone novel, Our Lady of the Absolute, is a fantasy/mystery/thriller about a modern-day society based on ancient Egypt. Midwest Book Review gave this book a 5-star review, calling it "a riveting fantasy, very highly recommended."
In real life, Resa is a fan of chocolate, travel, summer, museums, ballet, movies, and Broadway musicals (her favorites are Les Miserables and Wicked). She lives in Massachusetts.
Resa Nelson’s links:Resa’s website: http://www.resanelson.com
Free “mini” ebook of Dragonslayer short stories: http://www.resanelson.com/files
GoodReads giveaway: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/19270-the-dragonslayer-s-sword
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Resa-Nelson-The-Dragonslayers-Sword/122200661871
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ResaNelson
Trailer for The Iron Maiden: http://youtu.be/J5KwiPj2aRo
Email: ContactResa@aol.com
Ebooks ($4.99 each) are available directly from Mundania Press at: http://mundania.com/author.php?author=Resa+Nelson (get a 10% discount at checkout with the coupon code MP10)
Paperbacks are available from Mundania Press, Amazon, and Barnes&Noble:
http://mundania.com/author.php?author=Resa+Nelson (get a 10% discount at checkout with the coupon code MP10)
http://www.amazon.com/Resa-Nelson/e/B002C78D2Q/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1325972739&sr=8-1
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/resa-nelson
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Tell me what you think? Love or hate what I posted? I want to know. I may not respond to every comment, but I do read them. So comment away!!
MWAH!!!