So far I've posted nearly 150 entries on this Lesser-Know Writers blog, all using a particular encyclopedia-styled format. Meanwhile, two of my desks (I regularly use five) have become hugely overstacked with (among other things) papers and books for planned entries that I haven't yet written up. The reasons for not writing these entries up vary, but often it has something to do with some information lacking that is vital to keeping up with the overall format--it could be the smallest fact, or date, or something larger. In order to share this research, I've decided to add a second alternative format in which I will post entries on this blog. I am not abandoning the main encyclopedia-styled format, but a looser less-complete format is necessary in order to share the information I have. To date I have used the author's main byline as the title to a post on that person. I will continue to do this for entries in the encyclopedic format. The newer looser-styled entries will still contain the author's byline in the title, but the title will also include at the start the word "Notes" followed by a colon and the usual byline of the subject.
As always, comments are welcome, as is additional information from readers. Occasionally I have been asked where I got certain facts on some lesser-known figure. Most of the vital statistics about people's lives come from various genealogical databases (some subscription), and there really isn't a good or useful way to cite such things, so I've not bothered. However, if I've used some printed source, however uncommon, I usually make mention of it. For many of these LKW there are no printed sources (save maybe book reviews) because no one has written about them before.
Thanks for the work you do...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bill!
ReplyDeleteI greatly appreciate and enjoy he work you do.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Looking forward to new posts. thanks for all the hard work you put in.
ReplyDeleteDoug, I'm tantalized by your mention of five desks. Might you be tempted into sharing a few pictures of your working spaces and library? I think your many fans would enjoy them. I certainly would.--md
ReplyDeleteI've thought about getting some sort of video camera to do a few documentary-styled things. Perhaps I can do a library tour then. Three desks have computers on them, of various ages and uses. One (used frequently) has a scanner hooked up to it, and it also has some needed programs that aren't compatible with my newer computers. Ditto the other secondary desk, set-up with dual monitors (so I can proof text on one screen with a corresponding scan on the other). Two other desks became dumping grounds for folders, papers, and books that I'm currently working with. (I've spent a month excavating one of these but haven't reached the surface yet.) And this counting doesn't include the various tables and other flat-surfaces I use--one is the packing table, another is where I copy-edit (great light in that room), etc. You should give us a tour of your library and workspace too!
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