That's just the way it is, right? Google and writing just kind of go hand-in-hand. (Or writers and whatever other search engine you use. We'll just lump them into one for the sake of me not having to list all of them, m'kay?)
So what crazy thing comes to mind that you've had to google?
For all you apoc / post apoc / thriller writers out there, I'm including this helpful link. It's a list of all the words you can google that might put you in hot water with the government. Is it a reputable source and is it completely true? I have absolutely no idea! But I saw it and giggled. If it IS true... I wonder how many people they investigate turn out to be writers? Maybe we keep them on their toes without even realizing it. :o)
I wish you all happy Googling! May no one in black suits unexpectedly appear on your doorstep.
24 comments:
That list is both hilarious and scary. I'm pretty sure I used at least some of those search terms when my son had to do a history report on Brazil.
I think the worst thing I've researched for writing was untraceable poisons. There is some interesting stuff out there.
that list made really nervous! LOL
I don't believe I've had to Google anything too "dangerous" (well, I searched information on medieval weaponry a good bit...), but probably the craziest thing was something similar to "how long would it take armored men to ride 500 miles on horseback?" I've also had to do searches involving medieval English currency and how much certain coins were worth at the time. More often than not I don't get a straight answer from Google.
I've googled the Trident Nuclear Defence missiles, and Google Mapped the Naval base where the Subs dock :o|
At least you can show them your book contract when they knock on your door. Us pre-published writers are a little less convincing :os
I googled a lot about criminal sentences for manslaughter and murder and arson. I also tried to find out an approximate value for pot (in my day, you really could still get a nickel or dime bag with a decent amount in it; I don't know what that translates to now and I don't know anyone I could reliably ask), which took me to some sketchy sites.
Off the top of my head I can't remember, but I know I've come up with some great ones. What did writers do before google?
I am married to an IT security guy. I just asked him if there's something you can do to prevent tracking. He won't shut up now. All I hear is blah, blah, blah, tracking cookies, privacy settings, blah, blah.
When I was in high school and we were working on our senior english projects, a girl was making a cedar chest and writing about it for her project and goggled "Hope Chest" on our teacher's computer for designs. He was in front of the class teaching when he glanced over and shouted "TURN IT OFF! YOU ARE ALL WITNESSES THAT IS WASN'T ME LOOKING AT THAT!" Hahaha!
I'm spending a lot of time googling near death experiences and organ transplant procedures and recovery. Learning lots!
I've Googling types of energy and Nuclear was one of them. I had no idea submarines (of which are in my current WIP) are powered that way. Scary stuff. And I bet there is a list of nefarious writers the government keeps on a list.
Speaking of men in black suits...you just gave me a topic for today's blog post! It's a fun story :)
I've had to google about tattoos, since I've never had one and know pretty much nothing about them. Also lots of video games and other nerdy facts, but only to make sure I got them right. ;)
I write about death. You wouldn't believe all the things I've had to google as to how to kill someone. I keep expecting to be flagged at the US border.
I can't think of a crazy google, but I needed to know what happened - in detail - on 31 March 2010, not just in UK but all over the world. And the weather, and the sunset times. It wasn't easy, but it was much easier WITH google than WITHOUT.
I once had someone post on our writers website looking for information on guns and bomb. She was hoping someone would look it up for her since her husband worked for the government and she didn't want to get him in trouble with her book research.
I've recently googled the locations of famous haunted houses and who the patron saint of ice is (apparently, there isn't one). ;)
Haha - this is so true! I've googled some crazy things and wondered about the Homeland Security thing myself. ;)
LOVE Google! I can't imagine researching without it. Hats off to those writers who did it all before Google. :)
The thought of super nice you googling weapons of mass destruction makes me giggle!
So far I haven't googled too much crazy stuff, but lately I have googled a few odd things.
Wouldn't it be fun to keep a master list through the years of all the crazy googles?
I worry about that all the time! (Yet I Googled, like, half of that list yesterday...) Don't let them take me, Pegasus! I'm a writer, I swear!
Ummm... exercise is on this list. Huh? haha
This totally made me laugh. As you know, my book is about killing. So I've got to be on that government list!
I'm sure I've googled some crazy stuff, but since I write picture books, probably nothing to get Homeland Security's knickers in a twist :)
I'm currently reading a book about SAS combat and survival techniques for my WIP, so you can imagine what MY Google history looks like… =:o
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