This week I’m in Manhattan, on a research grant from the day job, spending my days at the Pierpont Morgan Library. I am in my element here, I have to say. I spent Monday with photocopies of manuscripts and yesterday morning with microfilm, but I worked with a manuscript from around 1440 yesterday afternoon. Later this week, I will look at an early printed book from about 1530–not an incunabulum, like I said in the title, but “early printed book” doesn’t fit in the linky title line very well!
I get these chances to do research very seldom, but they are always revelatory when I get them. Not only do I enjoy doing this research, like a pig in clover, my aunt would have said, but I’m very good at it. It boosts my self-confidence immensely to dust off my paleographic and language skills, immersing myself in the alien cultures of 15th- and 16th-century England and France and finding myself so very much at home.
I find that I am storing up all the experience like photographs of loved ones, to take with me. I can pull them out in low times to remember who I am and where I come from.
I’m not meeting my other goals due to spotty internet, but I will have time to catch up when I return home. I am ecstatic that I could start this Round with such a wonderful sprint, or to follow on my fledgling images from last Round, a breathtaking soar far above the treetops.
Kait’s post about best practices and checking in with others is a very good one. Please add the best practice of encouraging everyone; they are listed here.
Sounds like a good reason not to be meeting your goals at least. The experience is good for your writing, too, since it gives you more to build on.
By: Patrick Thunstrom on October 3, 2012
at 9:30 am
Thank you for stopping by, Patrick. I’m finding the research feeds into the novel in a wonderful sort of synergy, exactly as you say. I hope you have a great rest of the week.
By: Elizabeth Anne Mitchell on October 11, 2012
at 12:50 pm
you sound like your’e having fun – archives and research can be amazing – I can’t manage the old handwritings and language so you are way ahead of me – plenty time to catch up – all the best:)
By: alberta on October 3, 2012
at 5:18 pm
Oh, I had a lot of fun, Alberta. It’s always good to dust off the things I learned and actually use them–it is gratifying to be able to make my way through things still!
I’m glad you’re getting back to yourself, and I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!
By: Elizabeth Anne Mitchell on October 11, 2012
at 12:51 pm
Spending days surrounded by centuries’ old books sounds like just about the best job in the world. That, or the start of a Lovecraft story.
Glad you’re beginning the new round with such high spirits!
By: Jeff Clough on October 4, 2012
at 7:52 am
Lol, a Lovecraft story–too true! I’m an administrator for the majority of my job, so it makes it all worthwhile when I can immerse myself in the old stuff that I love.
It is lovely to begin on such a high note–it makes it all seem possible. Have a lovely week, Jeff, and thanks for stopping by.
By: Elizabeth Anne Mitchell on October 11, 2012
at 12:53 pm