A to Z: It's Over! (but not totally)
Insecure Writer's Support Group
May 3 Question: What is the weirdest/coolest thing you ever had to research for your story?
I've always enjoyed doing research. In fact I was one of those dorky guys who read encyclopedias and dictionaries for entertainment. In college I used to spend hours in the library just looking up stuff whether it related to anything I was doing for classes or not. Research is fun! And oh, the rabbit holes you can fall into!
These days most of the research I do is for blog posts and Battle of the Bands (be sure to vote on the Battle you will find below). Once I start researching for either of these, I will invariably find all sorts of ideas for more blog posts and Battles that I'll add to my queue of things to post in the future. If you are one of those who find yourself strapped for ideas in your writing, set off to explore new research projects and if you are keeping your mind awake you will surely start coming up with ideas.
One of my stranger research explorations was when I was writing my 2010 NANO novel Time Light. Part of my story involved characters going to Cairo, Illinois where there is a nearby town listed on the map as Future City. I wanted to incorporate this oddly named place into the story, but since I was over 1800 miles away, just popping over to get information about this place was out of the question.
At the time I was doing this research, there was little I could find on line about Future City so I called the Cairo library. From there I was directed to a wonderful older African-American gentleman who was a retired city worker and a history scholar who had written a couple of books about the area. We conversed for a lengthy period as he filled me in on the origins of Future City and some of its history. Afterwards I asked if he minded if I did a story about him on my blog to help promote his book, but he declined because his book was no longer in print and he wasn't interested in having his name on the internet. Interesting, but he sure was friendly and helpful for the purpose of my investigation.
Battle of the Bands
"Don't Dream It's Over" (1986)
It was September of 1986 when I was coming upon Austin, TX on I-35 and "Don't Dream It's Over" came on the radio. I was immediately transfixed by the song. The sound of it was mesmerizing to me--such a beautiful melody with puzzling lyrics. The next chance I had to go to a record store I bought the Crowded House album on cassette and from that point on I was a fan of the group as well as anything related to Neil Finn, the composer of the song. I sought out the albums of his earlier group Split Enz as well as the albums by his brother Tim Finn. The Finn brothers are outstanding songwriters and I now count "Don't Dream It's Over" as one of my all time favorite songs.
Until I ran across a beautiful instrumental jazz version which inspired me to consider the song for a Battle of the Bands match, I had no idea that there were so many great versions of the song. Instead of using that jazz version (I've decided to use a different song by that jazz group for a later Battle) I decided to use two versions by more known artists that some of you might like or dislike. I thought these versions displayed a nice contrast of stylistic approach to a song that has become even more amazing to me after having listened to many cover versions.
To hear the Crowded House original you can click the link in the above title, but please don't vote on that version.
Here are the versions up for Battle:
Miley Cyrus & Ariana Grande "Don't Dream It's Over" (2015)
Diana Krall "Don't Dream It's Over" (2015)
Time To Vote!
Between these choices do you have a preference? Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind. Which version do you like the best? Do you prefer the more uptempo fun version of Miley and Ariana or the more somber take by Diana Krall? You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.
Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.
Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:
StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'
'Curious as a Cathy'
Sound of One Hand Typing
The Doglady's Den
Angel's Bark
Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
Winner of this Battle Announced on Monday May 8th
You have until Sunday May 7th to vote with the winner announced on May 8th. That will be a big day as it is also when my A to Z Reflections will appear.
Do you enjoy doing research? Do you ever go down a rabbit hole of research to end up looking up things you originally didn't intend to research? What do you think "Don't Dream It's Over" is about?
