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What are your hidden (from the group) skills/experiences?
Well, they're not really hidden, exactly. By day, I work in a combo middle/high school, surrounded by preteens and teenagers. I know how they talk, how they act, how they smell. (Spoiler: from ages 11-13, it's BAD.) I have a math degree, and taught math for 19 years. I now work as an instructional technologist, which means I train teachers and students on various hardware and software, manage several applications, and make sure things don't go BOOM.
My hidden experiences: I was a TRAUMA OPERATING ROOM NURSE for over 20 years where I evaluated traumas as they came into the ER as to the chances of them needing the OR. Currently I work PARAPROFESSIONAL in a school with little kids. (they say the darnedest things) I am also a MOTORCYCLIST who traveled for a 18 months using my bike and discovered I'm the normal biker you find out there. (We're nothing like Sons of Anarchy.) I've also done various RESTAURANT work, multiple factories including several SEWING FACTORIES (think Norma Jean), a boat factory, and MACHINE SHOPS. I also worked CARETAKER in a MENTAL INSTITUTION and a 'colony' for the mentally handicapped. There isn't a job here that I worked at for less than two years, so yes I'm old.
I don't know if this is considered a "hidden" talent or and not, and no, unfortunately, I don't hunt undead ice dragons with laser machine guns, Phillip. I actually prefer using a large two handed William Wallace sword ;-) (ROTFL) And man... your experiences are both harrowing and thrilling!! I have experience as a bartender, 911 dispatcher and I've worked in the medical field for over a decade now in cardiology. I do ultrasounds of the heart. It's fascinating to say the least, but my heart is fully encompassed in writing and one day, I hope to be a full time writer, but I also have an eclectic taste in movies, music and books... well in life in general, it would seem. I love to research everything and I crave knowledge. I'm constantly learning and trying my hand at all kinds of things! Glad to meet you all!!!
Mod
Does this show up on an ultrasound?
I guess my talents are around understanding the human psyche when it comes to emotional health and the human condition. What makes people tick. Why they behave in certain ways, especially when enduring pain or fear. I’m no expert. I’ve learned about these things through mostly observation since I was very young. I had ADHD growing up in a dysfunctional east coast family, I was bullied in school, and my health took a dive when I was diagnosed with severe RA as a teenager, suddenly stunting my life as a national gymnast. Understanding my own pain and the pain of others helped me feel like less of a victim when coping with my family dysfunction, bullying in school, my chronic disease, and lifelong joint corrective surgeries. I have also experienced quite a bit of anti-Semitism most of my life, in school and in my social life and career.
I would write a lot about what I learned about the human condition. That helped me understand why people treated me and people like me differently, and especially how people behave when they feel threatened or afraid. I had an article published in the local peace press about social justice, and volunteered for the local farm working community, whilst actually living with a Mexican farm working family for a year. I slowly began to distrust religion and religious-like ideologies, especially people inclined to religious extremism, as these types seemed more inclined to anti-Semitism, among other things. Even the ideology taught in the evangelical church I’d attend with my Mexican family (my boyfriend’s family). I remember one particular night when I heard them discuss Jews for the first time. I’ll stop there.
I worked for a year as a CNA in a convalescent hospital, where I soon learned to face death and the natural processes of life. In college, I focused on philosophy, humanities, sociology, religion, and human evolution. I ended up earning my BA in Spanish, with a focus in Latin cultures and literature.
I started working with underprivileged people when I graduated. I worked for my local JC as a student teacher non credit teaching English to primarily the farm working community, then for the county as a bilingual public health aid, and the last 15 years as a hospital interpreter, among other things.
I went back to college and completed undergraduate credits in anthropology (another BA equivalent), but didn’t get into the MA programs in Anthropology or public health due to poor GRE scores, even though I had an overall GPA of 3.6 and a second language under my belt. That’s just how it goes. But I still enjoy working with patients at the hospital and writing novels on the side. Recently, I volunteered a little under a year for a women’s homeless shelter. Giving to my community and people in need brings me happiness, and I do this because it feels right, not for any religious group or hope for reward. I enjoy encouraging others to do the same.
Why did I just write an autobiography? I guess it all just kind of spilled out. But if anyone ever has questions about what it's like living with a chronic debilitating disease, how the effects bullying and a dysfunctional family seeps into adulthood, being a Jew in America, living with a family of Mexican farm workers in America in a 2 bedroom 2 bath rundown appartment (a family of 5 in one room, a family of 4 in another, a family of 4 in a built in room, a family of 2 on the living room floor, and an aunt and uncle on the kitchen floor), or working with the sick and dying in the healthcare system, feel free to friend me or send me a private message.
Dwayne wrote: "Shanna wrote: "...my heart is fully encompassed in writing..."Does this show up on an ultrasound?"
Ha ha, yes, Dwayne, it does actually (LMBO)!!! There's a giant laptop and book inside my heart at this very moment ;-)
Undead ice dragons are tricky because you'd expect flame and heat to be the best method for piercing the hide. I mean obviously, that's how they always do it in movies, so of course that's what everyone thinks. But in reality, what everyone thinks is hide is actually a fine layer of royal icing. Heat that up and all you've got is a gooey mess of burnt sugar. Your best option for defeating these beasts is a silver cake knife imbued with holy water and blessed by a Tibetan Monk.Sadly, how to defeat undead ice dragons is my only talent. I'm pretty much useless otherwise.
such an interesting way to get to know one another. thanks everyone.as for me my most unusual experience maybe is that I know a great deal about the sport of pigeon racing.
Shanna wrote: "I actually prefer using a large two handed William Wallace sword ;-)."That's a start.
Christina wrote: "Undead ice dragons are tricky because you'd expect flame and heat to be the best method for piercing the hide. I mean obviously, that's how they always do it in movies, so of course that's what eve..."That's an answer.
I don't want to brag, but I have an uncanny ability to repel friends and family by talking about my writing. No, really. I'm not talking about a polite change of subject. I'm talking about the sort of epic repellent that reminds you of the scent of roadkill so fresh and pungent, your tears start sobbing. But wait, that's not all...
I carry on lengthy conversations with inanimate objects. Well, there's a certain blue dry-erase marker that's not speaking to me anymore, but that's a longer story.
I'm also a drummer, and I've discovered a similar ability to disperse small crowds by sharing my opinions about various bands. In addition, I've discovered that a guitarist's skull makes a distinctive hollow wooden sound when played properly.
I keep meaning to test the limits of my ability to procrastinate. I might do it this weekend, but don't hold your breath. I'm cautiously optimistic that I may set a new record at some point, but it may take awhile.
Does the ability to eat one's own weight in pizza count as a talent? If so, then I have one. (Talent, that is...) That reminds me, the last pizza I had asked me to say, "Hi." Okay, he also went off on a whiny rant about the potentially devastating impact that supplanting the role of imagination in the Post-Millennial generation with recycled and politically correct fables will wreak on the remnants of our culture, but he mentioned you near the end. So, "Hi."
Ubiquitous wrote: "Does the ability to eat one's own weight in pizza count as a talent? ..."Not really. That's a suburban survival skill. Most of us have it ... or we're dead already.
I'm sure I'm not alone here, but publishing my book was a huge skill that I learned. I never took writing classes or had a mentor, and I'm the first novel-writing author in my family and extended relatives.I also play several wind instruments: clarinet and bass clarinet (my favorites), alto and soprano saxophone, a little bit of trumpet and flute, and after one year learning oboe I've sworn never to touch one again.
I've worked for almost 5 years at a small retail store that sells cheese and other goods you can pair with it (olive oils and balsamics, crackers, spreads, and anything else you'd need to host a killer dinner party). We don't make cheese there, but I can cut a mean quarter or half pound.
I grew up playing sports (softball, basketball, and volleyball). And most people don't know that I can sing quite well.
Danielle wrote: "I'm sure I'm not alone here, but publishing my book was a huge skill that I learned. I never took writing classes or had a mentor, and I'm the first novel-writing author in my family and extended r..."Congratulations on this part Danielle!
I think the hardest part of the process of self-publishing for me was teaching myself InDesign. Those design people must have different brains from us writing people because there was nothing intuitive to me about the way InDesign works.
Well, I'm retired now so don't want to go back too many centuries into my past life but maybe I can summarize it here for anyone interested. I worked in a boat building yard for a couple of years in Sydney, Australia. We built everything from wooden 16ft yachts to steel motor cruisers and the largest (at the time) fiberglass catamaran in the Southern Hemisphere. When it was summer the steel plates were almost too hot to handle and in winter the rain and sloppy yard conditions made life interesting with the power cables dragging through the water to our power tools. Needless to say I survived!!
Another aspect of my life that has been a close secret from most people was the fact I was involved in a (white) witches coven that concentrated on using its collective powers to help heal people. Unfortunately, being inquisitive, I wandered from our leader's path and ended up delving into dark areas. I discovered the dreadful power and traps working with mirrors, casting rings round a crush of mine (a woman in the group) to ward off her boyfriends (almost ended our friendship), stopping power running to the group's "work" room and making the one light bulb go off. The last almost did me in!!
During this time I was invited to several private schools to hold lectures for classes on the dangers of 'playing' with Ouija boards, etc.
I've been places and seen things best left alone. Believe me or no.
Greg wrote: "I've been places and seen things best left alone. Believe me or no. "
Presumably you're writing about this so we can all believe you? Sounds intriguing
Dwayne wrote: "Shanna wrote: "...my heart is fully encompassed in writing..."Does this show up on an ultrasound?"
This made me laugh while drinking my morning coffee. Thanks Dwayne.
Hi All! Sort of re-joining GR. Loved reading about everyone. Everyone has a story and I find people so interesting.My talents are mainly with training air-scenting dogs for search work - prefer training dogs for live-find collapsed structure and cadaver work. I also love riding and the great outdoors.
The main character of my series is a canine handler (of course!) with a dark past.
Thank you all for sharing!
Maria
Danielle wrote: "I'm sure I'm not alone here, but publishing my book was a huge skill that I learned. I never took writing classes or had a mentor, and I'm the first novel-writing author in my family and extended r..."Wow girl! I didn't realize how alike we are!!! Likewise on the book publishing being a new learned "skill", it takes a ton of work no doubt, and I also consider myself "self-taught"- no classes or anything like that and I, too, am the first one in my family to become a writer and a published writer :-)
I also played clarinet- from middle school all the way into my senior year of high school. I was in both concert band and marching band, which I loved!
I played softball (1st base actually, I was really good), basketball and even soccer when I was growing up as well! And I too, am a decent singer. I can belt out "Colors of the Wind" like nobody's business :-D
M.C. wrote: "Dwayne wrote: "Shanna wrote: "...my heart is fully encompassed in writing..."Does this show up on an ultrasound?"
This made me laugh while drinking my morning coffee. Thanks Dwayne."
Ha ha! Right?! Me too!! I didn't even realize I'd worded it like that until he pointed it out!!! Too funny!!! I'm tempted to post an ultrasound picture mocked up with a laptop in it!!!! (LMBO)
G'day Magnus, the idea of writing about my time working in the coven has crossed my mind and I'm letting it simmer on the back burner while I concentrate on other projects. Thanks for your interest though.
Greg wrote: "G'day Magnus, the idea of writing about my time working in the coven has crossed my mind and I'm letting it simmer on the back burner while I concentrate on other projects. Thanks for your interest..."well, good 'cos from your description it sounded like you know more about the subject than most people writing about it... And a g'day to you, too, mate ;)
Thanks. I'll give the book some serious thought now.
I think most of any expertise I have to offer involves child development, special education, and emotional trauma. I worked in both public schools and correctional schools with kids who struggled with learning or behavior. Like Leah, I've studied human nature and all the things that affect how we get along or how we do as individuals. I'm not able to claim any expert status in writing and publishing a book, but I have been on a steep learning curve that has shown improvement over time!
Is this not the most fascinating post here for ages?I used to be a water consultant and, after retiring, took up 'knowledge sharing' before moving on to particle physics. Have already proposed a working model for time and am now working on the underlying mechanism of electro-magnetism.
Mod
Also, I hike a lot so if you wanted to know how someone feels after walking 36km across the mountains in a day, I can talk about that too. (hint: it makes your legs hurt for days unless you're really trained)
Very awesome skills! Coming from a search and rescue background, we love the most up to date maps that are clear and precise. Makes our job a little easier.
I like this topic. You always have a lot of hidden jewels around...Have several areas: I'm a physicist. Work in IT (favourite subjects IT/information security, networking, machine learning, AI.). I've been and/or worked in some interesting places (e.g. Siberian winter expeditions.) I'm a rescue diver. Things related to long distance, endurance events, sports and related problems. I'm also a lot into history and languages. (Just learning the basics of Akkadian just to be able to put some fictional translation into my book. :) )
@Phillip: I may find your expertise useful. Shall I PM you?
Zoltán! Do you understand the concepts around the multi-verse theories? Like the String Theory, and similar theories.
@Leah: There are multiple ways multiple universes could exist, and not all are related to string theory. To give you an interesting concept: We have a few basic constants that define our Universe. gravity for instance or the speed of light. Tweaking these just a little bit may end up with a Universe where matter cannot form in a way we know it. We may have an infinite number of Universes with "different constants" and we live in one where matter exists and thus life could evolve. A further twist is the quantum superposition approach to this. Similarly to Schrödinger's cat (the cat is there both dead and alive until it interacts with the outside world. Aka open the box), what if our Universe started off with all possible constants in it, and it "popped" into it's current state because this is a combination that works (matter, life etc.)
Just a quick brainstorm how far this can lead ;)
Do you have anything specific in mind? A story you are working on?
Such a useful thread - may I suggest that everyone highlights a word or two which helps readers to pick out the skills. E.g. Zoltan could put in caps (or bold) PHYSICIST,
IT,
AI
and so on. Then, as this thread becomes longer and longer (and more and more useful) it will be easier to pick out what is useful to a particular author even if we look at it in 6 months' time.
Zoltán wrote: "I like this topic. You always have a lot of hidden jewels around...Have several areas: I'm a physicist. Work in IT (favourite subjects IT/information security, networking, machine learning, AI.)...."
Feel free to PM me. As long as it isn't classified, I can help.
Anna Faversham wrote: "Such a useful thread - may I suggest that everyone highlights a word or two which helps readers to pick out the skills. E.g. Zoltan could put in caps (or bold) PHYSICIST,
IT,
AI
and so on. Then..."
That's a good idea.
Zoltán, that’s exactly what I was hoping you’d elaborate on. Do you mind me sending you a friend request? I have a WIP on hold at the moment. It uses one of the infinite multi-verse theories you mentioned. I just haven’t had enough time while writing another book to do all the appropriate research needed. I’d love to pick your brain now and then.
My hidden talents are all pretty much inconsequential, mundane, or geekily obscure. Which comes from being a (lazy) polymath (aka Jack of many trades but master of none), I suppose.I've dabbled in things like:
Drawing (New Wave cartoons back in the '80s)
Landscape painting (oils)
Sculpture (clay and welded metal)
Keyboard playing (brush with fame was playing in a warm up band for Flock of Seagulls once in Baltimore)
Music Synthesizer programming
Electronic Music Instrument building/design (DIY stuff)
Audio production (mixing/recording)
Bread making (mostly sourdough)
Hot Pepper sauce making (lacto-fermented habanero sauces mainly)
Home brewing (mmm, beer ... sadly something I'm not allowed to drink anymore)
So you can see where writing/self-publishing SF comes in. Most of my outside-of-work activities involve some kind of DIY (though I'm not always particularly good at finishing what I start).
And more career/income producing kinds of things:
Retail sales management (aka hell)
Real estate sales (aka also hell when interest rates are high, like when I did this)
Database/applications and reporting design and building (current paying gig)
I am fascinated by the varied backgrounds of people who choose to write books! I wish we could sit and have a coffee table discussion via the internet. What an amazing set of folks!
Anna Faversham wrote: "Such a useful thread - may I suggest that everyone highlights a word or two which helps readers to pick out the skills. E.g. Zoltan could put in caps (or bold) PHYSICIST,
IT,
AI
and so on. Then..."
Done!
I have a weird background:RESARCH CHEMIST (have about 100 peer reviewed publications in topics ranging from physical organic chemistry, physics, seaweeds, etc)
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT (biofuels from hydrothermal liquefaction, skin-gel products (On sale as Nemidon gels), making graphite), designed a plastics recycling process
PARTIAL ENTREPRENEUR Tried to progress two ventures ( high temperature plastics, seaweed pressing) in JV with ICINZ - was a Director or two ICI companies for several years
TRAVELLED: Been to at least two countries on every continent except Antarctica and the Kerguelen subcontinent. Got mixed up in the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (accounts in my blog)
AUTHOR - self-published 13 novels.
THEORETICIAN - about ten scientific papers; three self-published ebooks (planetary formation and biogenesis; guidance wave - a variation on the pilot wave with two important differences, each of which is critical to: covalent bonds from guidance waves)
COMPOSER definitely a hobby - most of it is piano because that is all I can play
I am new to this group and have been wondering how to jump in. This is a great thread to do that, so here I am, stepping out of the shadows.I have lots of cool stuff in my background--horses, dog training, old house renovation, music, dance and performing at renfaires, but perhaps the most significant is that I was a foster parent to some very troubled children that my husband and I later adopted. I now know more about kids on the autism spectrum and kids with mental health issues than I ever thought I would. Add to this coping with an elderly parent with Alzheimer's as well as a chronically ill spouse and I sometimes wonder how I get any writing done. It does explain why I'm so slow. lol All of this knowledge--and these experiences--definitely impacts my writing. That old adage "life is stranger than fiction," is very accurate. Some of the life experiences we've had are pretty unreal. People say I should write a book... lol
Anna Faversham wrote: "Such a useful thread - may I suggest that everyone highlights a word or two which helps readers to pick out the skills."As you wish.
Zoltán wrote: "Do you have anything specific in mind? A story you are working on?. ..."Zoltán - just the man I'm looking for... Don't worry, I won't hassle you unless I get your permission, of course. I am actually writing a novel that has a bit of applied string theory. I don't pretend to understand what I'm saying, but if I could run a couple of ideas by you at some point, that would be amazing.
Magnus wrote: "Zoltán wrote: "Do you have anything specific in mind? A story you are working on?. ..."Zoltán - just the man I'm looking for... Don't worry, I won't hassle you unless I get your permission, of co..."
Sure. PM me.
Do we have anyone around lurking with Old Norse knowledge? Preferably Western, if I can be picky. :)
Zoltán wrote: "Sure. PM me."Done. And I'm much obliged (though I have no Old Norse, I'm afraid).
Mod
Similarly to Schrödinger's cat (the cat is there both dead and alive until it interacts with the outside world. Aka open the box)I can assure you that I am very much alive and interacting with the real world!
Good stuff, Felix. Good to hear you are not in a box.
I'm always happy to help fellow authors. Here are some of the things that I've been trained to do or experienced firsthand:
I'm a sixteen-year veteran in the US Army. I'm an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer (think The Hurt Locker) and I've deployed three times. I know what it feels like when the ground shakes beneath your feet because a rocket landed a little too close.
I also used to work as a bank teller. We were robbed twice. Once was an inside job, the other had me be a hostage (for about two minutes).
I'm sure many others here know the inside of a courtroom, what happens in surgery, what it's like to go on tour, and perhaps (fingers crossed) how it feels when your blade enters an undead ice dragon's hide. Please share, and hopefully more of us can find a new resource to make our stories even better.