There is so much spinning going on in the world of American politics, you’d think they’d all be nauseous by now. I know I am.
The one thing that writing historical fiction has taught me is that layers of interpretation can quickly distort a fact into a myth. Add to that the biased media (which swings both ways, folks) and political operatives planting rumor and innuendo in email blasts and via political blogs, and you wind up with a very confused voting public.
I imagine a board room full of the people trying to manipulate us screaming “Yes! That’s the point, you twit!”
Cite your sources. It’s the phrase we hear in school, it’s how you make convincing arguments with friends, and if you’re writing a historical novel and you’re challenged on a point, it’s how you defend your writing. This election I am using FactCheck.org to wipe the distortion off of my politics. How are you seeking the truth about this election?
I finally hit a long-sought after milestone while running last night. It’s been a while since I dragged out the Resolution Tracker, so let’s have a look.
2008 Resolution Tracker
Week 36 – Miles Run: 12.25, YTD: 501.8
Week 36 – Days Written: 7, YTD: 252
12 days until the Philadelphia Distance Run
42 days until the release of CHAINS and my book tour
71 days until NCTE/ALAN
This is Day 253 of 2008. There are 112 days until the end of the year.
Yep. I’ve run 501.8 miles this year. My original goal was to run 1,000 miles, but the injuries that cropped up this summer proved I wasn’t ready for that. So I adjusted. It’s really hard to find time to run on book tour, so if I can sneak in another 100 miles by the end of the year, I’ll be happy.
How are your resolutions faring? How have you adjusted your goals?
Congratulations on 500 miles! That is such an amazing accomplishment! I hope that the Philadelphia Distance Run goes really well.
I also had running injuries this year, which caused all my year’s running goals to fly out the window. I didn’t handle this as well as you seemed to handle your adjustments … I will try to follow your good example! Because that’s all we can do, right? Take a deep breath and work out another way…
🙂 Sarah
Dear Laurie,
I also study history and am constantly amazed by how facts and opinions change in different contexts. A “fact” sounds good when said one way but bad when said another, sometimes depending on what is not said. It’s important to look at all sides, especially during an election — living history! I try to look at many different sources. That’s how I best figure out what I agree with.
PS I appreciated your earlier open letter to the person (coward) who destroyed a campaign poster on your property. It is more courageous to have a civil face-to-face conversation with someone you don’t agree with. This is a good time to try it. We need the practice!
Thank you for your books and this blog. I read it every day.
Best, Sheila
71 day to ALAN/NCTE. My heart just stopped.
I like FactCheck.org, as well.
Resolutions? What resolutions? Ha, I seriously don’t even remember what I resolved.
Factchecker.org is definitely the place to go.
Resolutions: Writing on wip – getting better at making it daily. Some days there is too much other writing, but 15 minutes is manageable. Not to mention I’m at the point where I am really loving it and if I hit a stretch where I don’t, I go on to another part. So NOT the way I wrote my first novel.
Resolution to get regular exercise, not so well, in terms of 5 out of 7 days/week. Blew it yesterday. But am getting to yoga every Tuesday I’m in town, and am walking regularly.