Monday, June 6, 2016

QotM and What Do You Know?

Time for the Question of the Month. This blog hop is the brainchild of Michael G. D'Agostino. You can find him at his blog, A Life Examined, as well as the other participants in this hop. Each month, Michael poses a question and we all try to answer it.

And this month, Michael asks:
"Of all the places you haven't yet been to in the world, where would you like to go next?"

Oh, the list is long. But in general, I would like to places seemingly untouched by humans. I say seemingly because there can't be many of them. I want to see the Congo, the Amazon, Antarctica, and parts of Russia and ... all those places where the world is still wild. The place I would go first if there were no problems with political unrest I think would be the Congo. I love watching TV specials on it.

At our most recent romance writers meeting, one of our members was the speaker. She spoke about personal energy fields and spoke about her career in massage. She certainly knew all the places a person spending a lot of time on a computer will feel the soreness and muscle tightness. At one time, one of our members gave a presentation on self-defense for women. Many books have kick-ass female protagonists but there are still rules a smaller, usually weaker person needs to follow if she wants to defeat a larger, stronger antagonist. It was so interesting. I think I mentioned about the member who spoke about working in a TV newsroom. Amazing stuff. Every member of our writing group has experience beyond their writing. There are former military members, an engineer, a physician, and many who have traveled far and wide. And that's just in our small little writing group.

Think about all the people you know through blogging. They live all over the world. They have day jobs and experiences that cover all parts of human society and multiple generations. What a resource! And all you have to do is ask. Writers are so generous with sharing their knowledge.
My favorite minion

Please visit my post over at the IWSG today where I'll talk about using cliches in your writing.

What do you know about that might help another writer with setting or some hard facts? Is there a place in the world you would love to visit? Think you would enjoy the Congo?




26 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's just it - we know so many people in real life and online that information is just a step away. We can get a real-life account.

nashvillecats2 said...

It's great having friends online as one gets to know all differents parts and aspects of their lives.
Great post.
Yvonne.

betty said...

I think I could enjoy the Congo if I didn't worry so much about what creatures I would encounter there :) I like how you want to visit what is off the beaten track so to speak. Lately, I've been thinking it would be neat to see Israel, but I don't see that happening as I am not a flier :

betyt

messymimi said...

The Congo sounds interesting, i might choose New Zealand first, though. It's great having online friends who have such a vast range of experiences.

Pat Hatt said...

That is true indeed, so many blog friends all over the place. Not sure I'd want to go into any untouched places though. Probably get some unknown disease lol

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

The blogging world is both vast and close at the same time. I love it! :)

I'm pretty much a homebody, but if I was more adventurous, I'd go to Australia or New Zealand.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan - talking to others, and asking people for ideas and information on places ... so essential for writers - as well as good research.

The Congo - way too hot and sticky ... NZ and Aus I'd do happily ... and I really should travel round the UK more ... cheers Hilary

Tamara Narayan said...

Stuff I know something about outside of writing: zookeeping and mathematics. I was reading a thriller by a well-known author and he was describing the abilities of people with unusual memories. Some could even "divide extremely large prime numbers." Oh dear. Prime numbers by definition are not divisible by anything other that themselves and 1. What the author meant to say was these memory-gifted folk could divide extremely large numbers into primes--otherwise known as prime factorization.

I'll settle for pictures of uncivilized areas. As for me, I need plumbing, electricity, and good food when traveling. Yeah, I'm a wuss.

Maria Zannini said...

My best friend is from the Amazon. To hear her stories I think I'm much safer here. Just about every creature there can kill you, and if they don't, their government will. It's very bad right now.

I've always wanted to go to India. I'm fascinated with their culture, but that's too much culture for hubby so I guess I'll never go in his lifetime. :)

As for me, I am an expert on homesteading and graphic design. Those are my skill sets.

Bish Denham said...

I'd really like to go to Scotland.

I'm glad I grew up in Virgin Islands when I did, when we had no electricity or running water, and everyone knew everyone. In looking back it was a bit like being pioneers. So, I know about the history of the islands, it's flora and fauna. I also know a bit about working with abused, neglected, and emotionally disturbed kids, as that's what I did for 23 years.

Chrys Fey said...

Places untouched by humans. Yes. That would be beautiful and magical. The places you listed would be true experiences.

cleemckenzie said...

Congo hasn't been mentioned before now on this hop. I think they have some big snakes and a few wars going on. Take your snake kit and a flak jacket. :-)

I read your post on IWSG. Great job.

Robin said...

If you went to the Congo, you'd have a wealth of material to write about for a very long time. I imagine you'd be able to use it for many novels and it would be excellent source material on your blog for years. That would be fascinating. I'm with Lee, though... better take that snake kit and flak jacket. You want to live through the experience.

A Beer for the Shower said...

My wife used to love watching a show called Monsters Inside Me and we'd laugh/cringe every time it was revealed how the disease was contracted, because it was almost always a parasite contracted from some place like the Congo, or the Amazon. So if you ever do go there, make sure you wear a full body condom just in case.

Nick Wilford said...

It would take quite a lot of preparation to explore those places but it would totally be worth it. I'd like to see the Amazon. Sounds like you have a fascinating writing group.

Arlee Bird said...

For me those untouched places are best seen in TV documentaries where I can raid the kitchen when I want a snack and crawl off to bed when the show is over. No snakes, bugs, or dangerous critters--just the comforts of home. Yeah, I've gotten soft like that.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

Nilanjana Bose said...

I love Africa so yes, I'd love to go to Congo if it weren't for the security issues.

Your writing group sounds brilliant. Off to check out the ISWG post next.

An Apel a Day said...

If I could go anywhere it would be Iceland. But that would be super expensive.

Jax said...

The Congo is such a unique choice. That would be real interesting to see!

Janie Junebug said...

I don't think the Congo is for me, but I hope you get to go.

Love,
Janie

Anonymous said...

I would love to visit the Amazon rain forest. It would be beautiful and interesting to see in person.

Unknown said...

Congo sounds very dangerous, but I can't really talk because I've picked Egypt :P What about an untouched tropical area?

Patricia Stoltey said...

The only thing I've truly thought about doing on the continent of Africa to go on one of those photography safaris. I once worked with a guy who did that, and he brought back spectacular pictures and had a wonderful time.

Elizabeth said...

I'm not sure about visiting anywhere in the continent of Africa, a bit too adventurous for me.

The list of countries represented among my blog visitors amazes me! I love hearing all the interesting perspectives and experiences. I could contribute elementary teaching experience, and pharmacy and customer service information. I also know a lot about the two states I've lived in: Oklahoma and Arizona.

Debbie D. said...

You have an adventurous spirit, going by your travel choices. My biggest interest is ancient civilizations and I was lucky to have explored Greece in depth and also parts of Italy. Still on the bucket list are Egypt, Venice, Malta and more.

Meeting interesting people all over the world is the greatest thing about blogging! ☺

The Happy Whisk said...

I love that minion one, I've posted it a few times, all on Monday. Why not? So fun.

Happy blogging.