Research does not have to be painful!

Research, especially for my creations, has often been a source of pleasure. I know that sounds odd, but experience has taught that when I research, look into information, it actually enriches the story, enhances the art.

Anthropological art, biological artists, those illustrations in science journals and encyclopedias have always fascinated me.

Some years ago, I realized I watched too many documentaries. I was a documentary-junkie. I decided to cut back.

Yet, taking notes from internet research, from numerous resources, checking out books, buying books, viewing documentaries with an eagle-eye, I was driving myself crazy.

It was a simple case of information overload.

Finally, I told myself that perhaps I worked harder, not smarter.

One day, I sat down, and decided to do something different: I would watch the documentary as a casual viewer, not taking notes.

I would tape the appropriate documentaries, disregard those that did not capture what I needed at the moment, and simply write down the experts' names, or a synopsis of the documentary series.

I still buy references -used- and I no longer visit my local library - I have most of what I need from my home libraries as well as what I now glean and receive from social media, and now, thanks to DVR, I can peruse and choose documentaries at my discretion.
Jotting down URLs, learning to categorize Bookmarks, these are the tools and tips for not making research agonizing, but productive, and, dare I say it? Even fun!
 
Yes, life doing research is good again.

How I came to Fantasy [Addendum]

herocomplex.latimes.com (c)

Unlike most writers who were brought to fantasy by way of Tolkien, I was only lucky enough to have seen the animated version of "The Hobbit" and "The Return of the King".

I am a late bloomer to Tolkien, having read him in my early twenties. Instead, those who brought me to fantasy in the way of wanting to write it has to go to Hans Christian Anderson, Aesop, and the Brothers Grimm, as well as various mythologies.

Actually, I can pinpoint wanting to write fantasy in 10th grade by way of Weis' and Hickman's "Death Gate Cycle" (Please read. Your mind will be blown at the 2nd-3rd book in this groundbreaking series).

ebookstore.sony.com (c)

Later, I fell in love with David Eddings'*(Please read my April 2021 Post titled 'Our Heroes Are Actually Monster) "Belgariad", further solidifying my resolve.

handeebks.mybigcommerce.com (c)

Science Fiction discovery

"Andre Norton" (c) Rudysbooks.com

NOTE: Originally written in June 25, 2002. Changes are in brackets.

(c) Herbsandheirlooms.com

SF discovered me in sixth grade with [Ms.] Andre Norton's "Warlock of the Witch World".










I later read the entire series of Bruce Coville's "My Teacher is an Alien". Man, I loved those books! It really opened my mind to what I liked about aliens!

"My Teacher is an Alien" series (c) Gizmodo.com

"Bruce Coville" (c) Stephen D. Cannerelli

Earlier, from 4th grade, I wrote a series on my own version of [the] Superman [story], a tale that continued into my first years [in] Community College.

Later, [...] I am now in my mid-[thirties], I decided to discard much of what I thought were my best ideas and reinvented myself, changing ideas into concrete stories.

You find inspiration in half-remembered spaces

I don't know what I was thinking.
I'm in my bedroom, trying to organize what to read from next. I slide books to the side, move new journals over, move research books to skim to the fore, and notice an old journal (when I say 'old', I mean 2008). When I open it, there's a short story I hadn't finished.

So, guess what I'm editing now?

"Grace & 'Slash'"

And while we are on the subject of couples, please know that my canine crime boss is very much a lady's man!
Grace and 'Slash' Castellano met at a casino and have been together for 5 years. Of his many girlfriends, she's his favorite.

"'Slash' & Stacey (embrace)"

A coworker's first words to me about this sketch (paraphrased): "Aww..She feels so safe in his arms. He looks so strong, as though he will protect her always."
That statement stuck with me.
When my coworker said that, it gave me new appreciation for this rough sketch.
Oftentimes, artists, we meet people who GET IT. Who GET our art. Who GET our meaning, what we were trying to say in a particular piece.

Since I write other stories besides this WIP, I have my favorites. These two, since I envisioned them in 6th grade Summer School (it seems I thought up a lot of stuff in Summer School!), are one of my favorite couples!

"Children Isabella & Giovanni ages 8 and 9"

Sometimes, you get an image so perfect, so right, that you really don't want to redo it to final form. This rough sketch is one of them.

I'm not saying that, as an artist, I don't think it needs improvement or refinement. It most certainly does. What I mean is the spirit of the draft, how both characters' personalities shine through, at least, to me.

Isabella and Giovanni grow up together. As adolescents, they become lovers. They break up, each going their separate ways. She marries respectively as he grows into a life of crime. In spite of this, the childhood sweethearts still keep in touch on occasion.
Even in this picture, circa 1914, as they walk side-by-side, they appear to hold hands.

There are several periods and/or decades that are my personal favorites. While I often mention the 1940s being my earliest love, I was especially fond of the 1880s - 1900s, what would be quaintly named 'Turn-of-the-century', or the more aptly historical 'Industrial Age'. I especially like drawing Isabella's pinafore (I believe that's the 'apron' or 'smock' that went over most girl's dresses at the time). They wore these during school and house/yard work, and almost never in church or special occasions such as house parties.
Notice the laced up boots both genders wore. I like drawing these. Also, I have Giovanni in knickerbockers.
My dad once mentioned he wore these as a boy!
I LOVE History.

"Child Giovanni & Adult Benniamo"

On the left-side is my male protagonist at 14. This is a crucial time in his life as he is one year after experiencing family tragedy. He's spent time on the streets. He hasn't hit puberty yet. He's not yet 'discovered' by the mob boss who will irrevocably change his life's direction.

On the right-hand is my protagonist's youngest brother as an adult.
He wears, what I learned from research, what's called a Chesterfield coat, a favorite of mine.
This look was iconoclastic of the 1930s/40s.

The brothers are opposites: 'Slash' Castellano is the eldest son, born in Italy, arrived in the U.S. as an infant, and was raised in the States. He is sullen, even as a boy, moody with a ferocious temper. He was lean as a child and later developed an athletic body in his mid-teens.

His youngest brother, affectionately called 'Benny-amo', on the other hand, is slightly pudgy, and though he looks more wolfish, holds a happier outlook.
Benniamo will play a crucial role in the family dynamics as well as prove to be a catalyst for major changes to the Castellano family.

Visitors, remember to check out the REVISED list of my publications @ http://TabbertheRed.net

It's a good thing I updated my Work Cited page on Tabber the Red. Now I can't get online to update this blog. WONDERFUL.

Xfinity is NOT infinite.