Research Sucks

Nuff said.

Research

I do a lot of research, both for my primary job and for my writing.  I've completed a novel, which required boatloads of research and, I admit, it was very satisfying when it came to the end.  Now I want to begin a new novel.  I already know what it's going to be about, but I need to do research.

Like my first completed novel, this one will be historical fantasy taking place in Medieval West Africa.  I like to keep the historical facts as 'factual' as possible and I prefer the fantasy to be as close to reality as manageable.

However, the very idea of researching my subject matter has me cringing.  Researching for Queen of Zazzau was a massive undertaking--2 years of searching, buying archeological/historical books, journals, articles. Given the dearth of written history in W. Africa, it was very difficult to find the information that I sought.  It was, metaphorically, back-breaking labor.

Now, I know I have to begin again.  My research will take me into a culture that is very far removed from the Hausa culture of my first novel.  And, truth be told, I really hate relying on the historical articles written by Europeans.  They often got so many things wrong.  I once read an historical article that said the people of the Niger Delta were salt deficient, because the salt was found in the North, and we did not have access to it.  We most certainly did have access to salt, and still use it to cook.  It is called 'native salt' and is found right there in the delta.

But I digress.

I need to start researching my second novel and I'm psyching myself out before I even begin.  I need some vibes of support from you, my 4 faithful readers.  Send me some mental encouragement.

Okay, I'm off.  To begin Day 1 of background research.

Wish me luck!

The State of Affairs

As my sister-in-law very deftly pointed out a few minutes ago (almost an hour ago by the time I finished writing this), I haven't been on this site since November.  Well, technically, I've been here.  I just haven't written anything.

As anyone who's been reading this blog (I thank all 4 of you from the bottom of my heart) can attest, I really just never know what to write.  In real life, I'm not all that talkative--except when I'm making raunchy, off-color statements. 

If my 4 faithful readers have been following US current affairs, I'm sure you've seen all the fall-out from the various Cop-on-Black killings.  Several times, I wanted to talk about these killings and the resultant protests, but just thinking about them got me so emotionally charged that I couldn't focus my thoughts.

To summarize my thoughts/feelings on the topic, I'll simply say that:

1) I am sick and tired of people justifying the action of the police officers responsible for the deaths of Black men, women, and children who DID NOT deserve death. 

• If a police officer cannot handle the stress of his/her job without shooting innocent people, then s/he needs to make a career change. 
• If I shot an animal for snapping at me, I wouldn't be a veterinarian for very long, would I? 

2) I am sick and tired of people calling for protests against Black-on-Black crime (perpetrated by criminals), as though criminals murdering people and police officers murdering people are comparable.

• If criminals were swayed by peaceful protests, there would be a lot less crime, wouldn't there?
• Criminals behaving like criminals, while only to be expected, is a problem. But police officers behaving like criminals is another thing entirely. 
• People are protesting the violence exhibited by those who are supposed to 'protect and serve'.  Protect and fucking serve.  Not 'harass, ticket, arrest, and/or kill'.  Just sayin'.

3) Mainstream (White) America protests corporate greed (we live in a feudal system, people; get over it!) and everyone gets on board.  But Black people protest murder and we're told stupid shit like, "If you don't want to get shot, obey the law." 

• How about, "If you want to be a police officer, make sure you aren't so afraid of Black people that you shoot the first one who moves."

Why is it okay for this to happen?  Or this?  Or this?  Or this?

And how, in the name of all things just, do they get away with it?  Again.  And again?  And again?

Every family who has been devastated by the brash actions of a police officer who, apparently, is unable to stay level-headed in a high-stress situation should file a wrongful death lawsuit.

There.  I've said it.  And now, I'm done.

P.S.  Thanks a lot 'Zimmerman Jury' for letting this fucktard walk free.