Mike Scardino's Blog, page 2
September 30, 2018
How did I remember it all?
I ran across an interesting term in a very nice review of BAD CALL by Barbara Saffer: "eidetic memory".
In her review, she speculated that I must have had this type of memory to recall as many of the calls in such detail in the book. I looked up the term and it led me to another category of memory, "emotional" or "flashbulb" memory: highly visual recall triggered by adrenaline and reinforced by episodic retelling. Many readers of BAD CALL have wondered how I remembered all of these events [and more] without having kept a journal -- which I did not.
The fact is, it never occurred to me that everyone doesn't remember things like this. I though it was completely normal. Now, thanks to Barbara, I know that I am abnormal. This is news to me, so THANK YOU Barbara -- :). Seriously, very interesting and I'll pursue it further in the near future. ms
In her review, she speculated that I must have had this type of memory to recall as many of the calls in such detail in the book. I looked up the term and it led me to another category of memory, "emotional" or "flashbulb" memory: highly visual recall triggered by adrenaline and reinforced by episodic retelling. Many readers of BAD CALL have wondered how I remembered all of these events [and more] without having kept a journal -- which I did not.
The fact is, it never occurred to me that everyone doesn't remember things like this. I though it was completely normal. Now, thanks to Barbara, I know that I am abnormal. This is news to me, so THANK YOU Barbara -- :). Seriously, very interesting and I'll pursue it further in the near future. ms
September 27, 2018
Why no ? marks.
Quite a few readers of BAD CALL have mentioned the absence of question marks. Many have rightly assumed it was because the questions I was asking were really rhetorical or simply internalized. But there are parts with dialog where I don't use them either. I guess once I'd decided to scratch this punctuation for the most part, I felt like I could just keep going.
But then I was thinking that the point of the narration was to make it feel as if I were telling these stories to friends or roommates or family members. And it struck me that when you're telling a tale to someone orally -- there IS no punctuation. And yet, questions come across as questions as clear as day. How is this possible. Why does it happen. Where do I get off with this effrontery. Who told me it was ok. When will it all end.
Oh yeah -- almost every question gives itself away right up front. So why wait for a "?".
But then I was thinking that the point of the narration was to make it feel as if I were telling these stories to friends or roommates or family members. And it struck me that when you're telling a tale to someone orally -- there IS no punctuation. And yet, questions come across as questions as clear as day. How is this possible. Why does it happen. Where do I get off with this effrontery. Who told me it was ok. When will it all end.
Oh yeah -- almost every question gives itself away right up front. So why wait for a "?".
September 18, 2018
September 17, 2018
Bad Call: The Blog :)
Goodreads suggests starting a blog and so I am!
I'm nervous, yes. But Game.
All I ask is that you are patient with me if I forget to check the blog every day. Like all of us, I have a good many digital "pots" on the stove and they all have to be stirred.
So...hello and thanks!
Mike
I'm nervous, yes. But Game.
All I ask is that you are patient with me if I forget to check the blog every day. Like all of us, I have a good many digital "pots" on the stove and they all have to be stirred.
So...hello and thanks!
Mike
