Obsession
When I get inspired by something… I fall into this wonderful place where I must know more… I must surround myself with whatever it is… I suppose obsession is the right word. I think it is safe to say many artists perform this same action/maneuver. Um, I must say that it is closer to an involuntary action.
I do that. I’m all over a subject for awhile; hours, days or weeks, then I move on, having sated, if not exhausted, my capacity for the subject. A very few interests endure, such as my lifelong fascination with old, abandoned roads and railways. One of the things I want to do with my retirement is go exploring every piece of the Ridge Route I can find, and any other long-forgotten byways. But I have to actually retire first…
As I writer, I try research as much as I can in as much detail as I can. Since I then speculate on technology (which is what makes it science fiction), I have to think of possible reactions and then research those tangents. It can take a lot of time, but is enjoyable. Additionally, it adds up over time and can be used over and over and in many different ways.
Nice poem! I feel for Randie here, when I get interested in something, I read everything I can about it, no matter how obscure. I could repeat back to you all the details of Oscar Wilde’s life in point form if you asked me, which you shouldn’t, it’s a bit scary to hear :).
It’s okay Randie, I’m in love with dead people too ;).
Research is fun! I love burying myself in books and websites and finding out what I can on something. When I last went to Paris, I became interested in Absinthe. It’s been a little fascination of mine ever since I fell upon a Musee dedicated to it in Montmarte… So many artists in France drank it, including Oscar Wilde. Today we found a place up from Aix that makes the stuff… we did a little Versinthe tasting today! Ah… Pastis, related to absinthe, is a lovely drink they produce here… and a fair bottle was purchased. Harold, ahem, really liked it… pics to follow.
@pete: yes! that’s happened to me before. I was trying to figure out about multiple and alternate universes, and though it was a brief stint, it was a deep one.
I also tend to do the same thing for fanfiction writers too, especially if they have over dozens of work. I’ll just spend all day, reading their works.