Hello Everyone,
It is the first Wednesday of the month, and IWSG Time.
IWSG is a writers' support group created and led by Alex Cavanaugh. It is a big help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities, our successes or giving encouragement and help to others.
So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us:
A Soft Soul
The weirdest thing I’ve ever googled so far is information concerning doing an autopsy. Some chapters in the second book, I am writing, deal with an untimely death. Untimely, in that none of the main characters, are expecting that person to die.
I have to admit it kept me awake afterward for some nights. My appetite dwindled. The research that went into examining the post-mortem of a body seemed harmless when looked at on television or seen in a film, but an in-depth search on the what and the how on Google gave me nightmares.
Wishing all of you a great month of November.
Take care.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteInteresting both of our posts touch on sudden death. I'd probably be on that autopsy table if I followed the advice by my American heart specialist.
In Mexico I visited funeral home that doubled as a morgue. Just looking at the tools gave me nightmares.
May your November be filled with life, love, and joy.
Some things you just really don't want to know the gory details about...
ReplyDeleteI'd probably lose my appetite too if I researched autopsies. I write fantasy so my research is a little lighter than that.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how people do autopsies. I'm too squeamish for that. It would be a great diet for me though since even seeing a bug in the floor makes me lose my appetite.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
You're not alone in being troubled by what you search for on the Internet. I've read a couple of posts today that admit to that, and I raise my hand, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post, Pat and thanks so much for the review of Not Guilty.
That search would disturb me as well! (However, nothing dwindles my appetite, LOL.)
ReplyDeleteAutopsies are tough. That's one of those professions that requires a detachment from the emotional from the clinical. That's a tight rope to walk, I think.
ReplyDeleteMy mom was a nurse and she told me stories about what happens to a body after death when I was a kid (not to scare me, she was trying to be informational) and so I have a strange idea of what is normal in dinner time conversations - rigor mortis, etc.
ReplyDeleteHope you get some better sleep soon!
When I was young I was told by my mother's friends to pursue nursing as profession. I was squeamish about all things nursing related so that was a definite no. So researching autopsies is definitely something I couldn't do.
ReplyDeleteEek! I'm not strong enough to google that kind of stuff. With the nightmares I routinely get, people have often suggested I write thrillers/horror, but I can't imagine that living in my head all the time!
ReplyDeleteI can understand that. Sometimes seeing something described in words hits me harder than seeing it visually. Not sure why.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how people write horror stories. I'd never sleep again!
ReplyDeleteYeah, when I hear the detective say they want the results by morning I laugh.
ReplyDeleteI understand what must be done, but have never watched or seen pictures of an autopsy. I've read a lot of Patricia Cornwell. The people that examine a body for evidence must be thorough and what they do to get it is truly disgusting.
Your reaction was only human.
Anna from elements of emaginette
An autopsy? Ew! You're a brave woman, Pat. I could never do an autopsy or even research it.
ReplyDeleteWow.
ReplyDeleteYikes! That would be rough to have to research. But you have to do what the story needs! May your next research moment treat you more kindly. @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
Sounds both interesting and horrifying. Learning the intricacies of an autopsy must be very overwhelming. Sorry it affected your appetite and your sleep.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Yikes I think I will skip learning the details. Watching on TV bothers me some. Have beautiful November. Hugs and Blessings Juneta
ReplyDeleteThat must have been some research, Pat. I'm not sure I could handle those details. Of course, if I really wanted to know, I'd ask my SIL (a pathologist and assistant county coroner).
ReplyDeleteThe title of your blog really hit me this month. Everything does change, sometimes in a moment. I think we waste time wishing things stayed the same. It never does. Happy writing!
I think I would feel the same as you about autopsies. I wouldn't want to know more.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you had nightmares. That's a subject I'm not sure I'd want to research.
ReplyDeleteAutopsies Pat. Someone has to do it though. Can think of nicer things to google. Hope you find what you need for your story.
ReplyDeleteI'm always in awe of people who can do autopsies, but on the other side of this career choice I wonder what in heaven's name do they find so appealing? And does the smell of ever leave their nostrils?
ReplyDeleteI read a biography of a young woman who spent a year working in a crematorium and it was quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I'd be sleepless over that subject too. That's why I write cozies--everything bad happens off-stage so to speak. Have a great weekend, Pat!
ReplyDeleteI hope you got the info you needed on autopsies. Not being able to go to sleep or lose sleep over your research is what we would call, in my family, "embalmer's jitters." My dad was an undertaker, but he never allowed me into the preparation room. I wasn't even curious about it. Being a funeral director is more about helping the grieving families during such a difficult time in their lives.
ReplyDeleteDear Pat, I'm sorry this research gave you nightmares. Is the information essential to your story? Maybe not, for I think your writing tends to the more affirmative! Now that Halloween is over, I'll hope for no more nightmares and a peaceful month ahead.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your newsletter spotlight. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Sorry it took so long for me to drop in here.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear your research gave you nightmares. Dealing with bodies can be tricky.