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Post by Riv Re on Mar 27, 2012 22:19:54 GMT
Thanks Ceebs. I don't plan on getting so detailed with this archer just yet, but I'll keep that in mind, if I ever write about him. (Or who knows? Maybe I'll take up archery one day ) Blackthorn: Thanks so much. I've never complained about having too much info. And only seconds apart? We must be long-lost twins who happen to be different ages from different parts of the world. If you're curious about the fruits of your labor, this is what the scene ended up being. (I know, it's really long.): Theron stalked up, quiver of arrows over his shoulder. He wore a breastplate and leg armor, but his muscled arms were bare, short of an arm guard on his left hand, looping up around him thumb, and three little leather caps on the middle fingers of his right, attached by a strip secured to his wrist.
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Post by ineffableone on Mar 27, 2012 22:55:37 GMT
Nice, while not overly long I am sure many people who are knowledgeable about archery will find your attention to detail in researching very nice. I know when I read books and see something I know about being described incorrectly it makes the entire world the author is trying to build in my head harder to believe in.
So good for you for doing research and finding how to describe things so people would loose the illusion your weaving for them.
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Post by Riv Re on Mar 28, 2012 0:50:35 GMT
*blushes* Thanks! I really try to get my details right. Even if the reader couldn't care less, it still establishes something in the back of their mind, and helps the world-building. Glad you enjoyed it. *bows*
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Post by randomnobody on Mar 29, 2012 4:03:01 GMT
I'm late in finding this thread, and since it seems everything has already been answered, I just thought I'd throw in that I found it amusing (only briefly, at first, that is) that when my grandfather gave me his old hunting bow, it came with his quiver, a three-finger-tip glove, and a forearm band. When I found these things, I thought, "Oh, what a pleasant novelty!" Nope. Mind you, this is a simple, recurve bow with only a 35-pound draw weight. My feeble arms can handle it okay, but after a while I imagine they'd quickly fatigue. Granted, I don't get to shoot nearly as much as I'd like to because I just don't know the code in my area, and am not sure how the neighbors would respond to me setting up an archery target in my front yard. Anyway, once I got the thing strung up, I figured I'd see what these silly bits of leather were about. My first tug on the string sent it flying from between my fingers and straight into the forearm guard. Needless to say, I came away enlightened. I've since begun to ponder if I may be blessed or cursed in archery due to an awkward curvature of my forearms. Back in my JROTC and ROTC days I'd often be scolded for failing to fully extend my arms during formation sizing only to inform the fellow that yes, my arms are quite fully extended; they just don't get any straighter than what they are. Looking at my arm while sighting down a bow, it seems to me that my forearm is quite well clear of the string's path, and proper shooting indicates the same. Only that first slip, which caught me unaware, presented any threat. I dunno, though, and am drifting off-topic. Here, have some crappy late-night cellphone photos of my (grandfather's) gear: The whole setup: Forearm guard: Finger guard(s?): (front/palm-side) (back) Shot of a (badly beaten) practice arrow resting on the "shelf" mentioned previously, and notched on the (badly beaten) string (excuse the wrestler figure; nephews...I'm tired of cleaning up after them, too.): The only way I could hold the bow with only one hand on the string, in an effort to demonstrate my (theoretical) string grip (obviously, the setup I have does not include a thumbring, and is geared toward only the first three fingers on the string): This thread has been quite an intriguing read for me, for obvious reasons. I'd kinda figured all these things had been around a while, and for good reason, but to see that there is a definite historic context (and a few other styles, to boot) is most interesting to me, so I felt like sharing my own for comparison sake.
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Post by Riv Re on Mar 30, 2012 18:52:27 GMT
Thanks for the pictures! They're usual visuals. (And yes, I'll forgive the action figures. )
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Post by chrisperoni on Mar 30, 2012 19:12:47 GMT
I'm late too but I'm still gonna add my opinion..,, 'cause hey, it's the inTerWeBz and everyone has one right! Ceebs made a good point about raising your knocking point of your fletching is cutting you. Quotes: Respectfully- All, as in who all? Not me or the friends I took archery with growing up. I personally never could stand the feel of any finger tabs- had 'em before and tried other peoples but it just takes away too much of the tactile sensitivity I need/like when shooting- makes it harder for me to shoot with anyway. I did get a red forearm but that only lasts for a short while- it teaches you how to properly hold the riser and you learn quick from that pain lol ! I will say that I have had the tips of my first two fingers from the last knuckle go numb and have that pins&needles feeling for about 3 days, after not having shot for years then having a long session. But no red, no blisters. - I gotta agree with Aaron here. To each their own I suppose. Regardless of my opinion I really like that Riv Re took time to authenticate the details. Nice touch for sure.
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Post by shoboshi on Apr 1, 2012 6:49:28 GMT
All excellent advice.
As a writer Riv, I would recommend you check out some archery sites to learn a bit more. Credibility can often be not in the way you write but in the details you write in to flesh things out. The devil is in the details.
For instance, Ceebs comment about the fletching cutting your knuckle. This is something you can use in your story to support this archers superior skill by having him point out what the problem is to a lesser archer.
What are the fletchings made from? Turkey or goose and why? What is the shape of the feather and what affect, if any, will it have? How are the feathers oriented? Straight or offset to give it some spin? Is the cock feather a different color like we see today? What is the nock made of? Horn or a harder wood? Where would this archer have calluses? (I got a very hard, longish one on the pinky side of my ring finger and smaller ones in the center of the pad of middle and index.) Does he use an arm guard to protect against string slap or is he strong enough to give his bow arm a slight bend to avoid it and not need a guard? Does he roll the string slightly when nocking a ready arrow so that it is pressed against the bow to help hold it in place until ready to shoot? What is his bow made out of? The string? How fast does his bow shoot and to what distance could he realistically be accurate for say... a man sized target?
Umm.... that's probably more than you bargained for. Sorry. (Just wait until you ask some questions to flesh out your swordsman....) But this is why writers write about things they know, it makes it believable. And if you don't know, you gotta find out.
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Aaron
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,369
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Post by Aaron on Apr 1, 2012 13:31:45 GMT
Fletchings wouldn't have been turkey if she's going for a medieval-ish setting. Turkeys are an American species not introduced to England until the Columbian Exchange occurred, sometime in the 1500s.
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Post by shoboshi on Apr 1, 2012 15:04:26 GMT
A good point. If I ever knew that, I forgot it completely.
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Post by Riv Re on Apr 2, 2012 0:31:37 GMT
Thanks. I try. Wow. Definitely some thought-provoking questions. I think that's one of the key difference between young adult and adult fiction, though (besides the obvious of course). Adult fantasy is very hardcore, and detailed. The archer's calluses and the wood of his nock are essential details in the world-building. In YA, when it comes to the weaponry, you just want to make sure your arrow is facing the right way, your elbow is up, and you look as cool as Katniss. Of course, I would love to debate the merits of YA versus adult fantasy, but I'm outnumbered here.
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Post by shoboshi on Apr 2, 2012 3:26:09 GMT
I wouldn't sweat it. You seem to be doing just fine. Wasn't aware your target audience was YA. Given the snippet you've posted, I'd say you are doing quite well.
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Post by Artelmis on Apr 7, 2012 21:34:09 GMT
a good glove is key...
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