Author seeks guidance...

[GabrielleBlue]

Hello,

I am writing a novel - a young adult urban fantasy - and my protagonist is a 17-year-old girl who dreams of becoming an Olympic gold medalist (sabre). As I know nothing about fencing, I spent many, many hours on fencing.net, poring over articles, watching YouTube videos, and even went to the 2009 World Cup in Dallas back in June of this year. What an incredible sport - it's so fast and involved!

I'm three-quarters of the way through my novel, and I'm looking for help to make sure the fencing scenes are accurate. There aren't many, because it's not about fencing per se, but the few fencing scenes that ARE there I want to be done RIGHT. (I don't want someone tossing the novel aside in disgust, the reality of the scene shot because of my shortcomings!)

Would someone be interested in reading the few fencing scenes that are there to make sure the language and moves are correctly written and executed? I couldn't pay you, but I would certainly give you credit in the acknowledgement/dedication section if (no, WHEN) the book sold.

Please send me a message if you're interested! Ideally, I'd be ready for someone to read those few scenes (about four or five) around the middle of November.

Have fun fencing! I have the utmost admiration for you who participate in this fast and furious sport.

Gabrielle

[TBean]

You might try asking a member of the board in a message. She goes by Peach. She is a vet. woman's saber fencer, world champion a few years back, and trying again this year. She is also, in addition to her day-job, an author. If willing, she would be a good reader for you.

I am sure others will respond as well, but if not think you can think about asking her directly.

[GabrielleBlue]

Thanks, TBean! Appreciate the input!

[Inquartata]

You can also try Linda J Dunn, and maybe for the "elite Senior WS fencer" perspective, Sabresque...

Here's hoping that your fencing scenes can satisfy both actual fencers and readers who know nothing about fencing. The expectations of the two groups may, ah, not be similar.

[swordmasterLHF]

Hello,

I am writing a novel - a young adult urban fantasy - and my protagonist is a 17-year-old girl who dreams of becoming an Olympic gold medalist (sabre). As I know nothing about fencing, I spent many, many hours on fencing.net, poring over articles, watching YouTube videos, and even went to the 2009 World Cup in Dallas back in June of this year. What an incredible sport - it's so fast and involved!

I'm three-quarters of the way through my novel, and I'm looking for help to make sure the fencing scenes are accurate. There aren't many, because it's not about fencing per se, but the few fencing scenes that ARE there I want to be done RIGHT. (I don't want someone tossing the novel aside in disgust, the reality of the scene shot because of my shortcomings!)

Would someone be interested in reading the few fencing scenes that are there to make sure the language and moves are correctly written and executed? I couldn't pay you, but I would certainly give you credit in the acknowledgement/dedication section if (no, WHEN) the book sold.

Please send me a message if you're interested! Ideally, I'd be ready for someone to read those few scenes (about four or five) around the middle of November.

Have fun fencing! I have the utmost admiration for you who participate in this fast and furious sport.

Gabrielle

Gabrielle,

May I suggest that you find a club nearby and actually put on a mask and learn the basics of the weapon. There is nothing like direct experience to give you an understanding of what's going on. It won't cost a lot and your credibility will go up a thousand-fold.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Peter

[RITFencing]

Seconded. Head out and see what it's really like; if you're looking for realism, there's nothing like personal experience to draw from.

[Inquartata]

Ah, see, now you guys are tempting her into one of the great traps of writing: getting so lost in your research that you never get around to writing the book!

[GabrielleBlue]

Ah, see, now you guys are tempting her into one of the great traps of writing: getting so lost in your research that you never get around to writing the book!

Haha...

Yes, I'm thinking that while I am quite intrigued with the idea of learning to fence, sadly, my mss would sit on my desk, gathering dust while I attempted to master the art of this very complex sport!

Thanks again for all the great ideas, both on and off the list.

[Applesauce and Foils]

Let us know when you finish it and give us a link or something!


AF

[BrianH]

Gabrielle,

A picture of you in fencing whites would make a dynamite cover photo, especially if you looked like you knew what you were doing. Learning what fencing's like is invaluable, and fairly inexpensive. I, on the other hand, am a male writing a novel from a woman's perspective. The research on that one is difficult and time-consuming.

Brian

[Lady Quindecim]

Gabrielle,

A picture of you in fencing whites would make a dynamite cover photo, especially if you looked like you knew what you were doing. Learning what fencing's like is invaluable, and fairly inexpensive. I, on the other hand, am a male writing a novel from a woman's perspective. The research on that one is difficult and time-consuming.

Brian

The research on the woman's perspective is time-consuming? Better not let her hear you say that. The difficult part is to be expected. We are a complex gender.

=^_^=

[GabrielleBlue]

Gabrielle,

A picture of you in fencing whites would make a dynamite cover photo, especially if you looked like you knew what you were doing. Learning what fencing's like is invaluable, and fairly inexpensive. I, on the other hand, am a male writing a novel from a woman's perspective. The research on that one is difficult and time-consuming.

Brian

Difficult and time-consuming, eh? Brave words to speak around the females here... especially since they wield sharp pointy objects.



LOL... appreciate the feedback, although I am fairly certain my cover for the novel would look immensely better without the inclusion of me in fencing whites. Jus sayin'...

[UnidentifiedFencerOnline]

you could just go down to your local club, talk to a few coaches and refs and maybe give fencing ONE shot. a little bit of experience is better than no expererience. maybe get one of the coaches to look at the fencing scenes as well.
good luck!

p.s. send me a message when the book comes out cos i'd be interested. fencing is a sport that doesn't get enough interest in my opinion. its good of you to try and research this properly. i hate it when books don't have the right things about fencing.

i was reading this elizabethan mystery book and the guy said he was learning to fence foil. it wasn't called foil in those times and it wouldn't have been in existence then. GGGRRRRRRRRR!!!

[lindajdunn]

Research into fencing can be hazardous to your writing career.

I used to write daily; now I write rarely.

If you can withstand the temptation, however, taking a fencing lesson would be a very good idea. I also advise getting into full competition gear so you'll have a better idea how it feels to move up and down the strip while wearing this.