Blessed To Do Research!

No matter what you know or think you know about a subject, there is always more to learn. One of the most embarrassing situations to have happened to you is being called out because what you thought was true was not. If there are differences of opinion in the area you are presenting, recognize the other side. You will come across more strongly if your audience knows you have taken the time to learn both sides of an issue. It is amazing but true, that once you write something most of your followers are going to believe you. You owe them accuracy.

What if you are writing your autobiography or maybe your family history. Who better to know the story than you? It’s true, but others may have a different perspective. Memories, even yours, can be faulty. Checking your facts can lead to the perfect tale. As an editor, I see all kinds of stories. I was editing a memoir and the author made a reference to an event that took place during World War II. The problem was that it never happened. It was related to a post-war event and that meant it had to be moved and rewritten. A little research on the author’s part would have solved that problem.

What if you are writing fiction? Surely doing research is not needed in this case. After all, you are making things up as you go along. The truth is that the details of fiction need to be as accurate as nonfiction. There is always an element truth in every story and those details need to be correct. For example, if you are writing about an ax-wielding maniac and you call his blade a rapier, there is a problem. Even when you invent your own universe, it has to be understood by earthlings. If you are going to have impossible things happening, you need to offer some explanation that will make sense.

I myself love to do research. I look at facts to build my stories and locations on. It gives your audience a starting reference and will make them feel comfortable with the subject matter.

-Ron

This Week’s Podcast: On the show, we have more stories than you can shake a stick at! Sylvia Shults is back with her famous brand of ghost stories and we have one of the creepiest chupacabra tales I have ever heard. Also, I introduce a new member of Ron’s Amazing Stories family. You can listen to this podcast on Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link

Ron’s Amazing Stories is produced and hosted by Ronald Hood:
Email: ronsamazingstories@gmail.com
Blog Page: https://ronsamazingstories.blog/
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RAS #422 – Billy The Donkey

On Ron’s Amazing Stories this time we have a cave murder, a donkey story, unknown eyes and even a spirit who throws people around. Jack White reads the exciting conclusion of The Diamond Thunderbolt and we end the show with more classic old-time radio commercials.

Featured Story – The Diamond Thunderbolt by H. Thompson Rich

This story comes from the pages of Astounding Magazine, July of 1931. It is called, The Diamond Thunderbolt by H. Thompson Rich and features many answers to questions that I ask myself all of the time. It is expertly read for us by James White.

Locked in a rocket and fired into space!—such was the fate which awaited young Stoddard at the end of the diamond trail!

Ron’s Amazing Stories Sponsored by: Audible – You can get a free audiobook and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/ronsamazingstories and Gladdy’s Goodies – Good Treats for your dog to eat.

That’s Crazy

I don’t have much of a blog this week. It has been a crazy weekend. On Saturday morning at about 11 am I heard a heavy explosion in the backyard. It literally shook the entire house and sent a cold chill through my body. I thought a tree fell on us. It was not a tree, but the concrete patio in the backyard was buckled and broken. I tried to reason why this happened and thought perhaps a water pipe burst. I checked and sure enough, the meter indicated a leak. The problem, however, is that no water lines run under the patio. So, in a nutshell, I have two issues probably not related.

The podcast will roll out as normal, but the blog is skimpy.

-Ron

This Week’s Podcast: On the podcast this week we have an amazing story about Billy the donkey and we play the conclusion to The Diamond Thunderbolt. We also hear a listeners’ story that just might be the most chilling we have ever had! You can listen to this podcast on Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link

RAS #421 – The Dogman Story

On Ron’s Amazing Stories we have a doggone good show for you. Jason Dowd is back and we talk about the cryptid, The Dogman. We share two stories about the eerie beast sent in by Sue and SWwatch. We continue with part two of The Diamond Thunderbolt, and we have something new that I call The Two-and Half-Minute Mystery.

Featured Story – The Diamond Thunderbolt by H. Thompson Rich

Locked in a rocket and fired into space!—such was the fate which awaited young Stoddard at the end of the diamond trail!

Why We Tell Stories

Throughout history and across the globe every known society has produced stories. Whether it is told around a campfire in a primeval jungle or in a bus bound for nowhere we tell our tales. In contemporary society the resources dedicated to storytelling are remarkable. Think of how much time, money and effort is spent on movies alone. Stories are truly central to our lives. In the book The Seven Basic Plots, Christopher Booker outlines the basic plots of a story. Booker suggests that all successful stories utilize at least one of these basic plots. I have yet to find a story that doesn’t.

Overcoming The Monster – One great example of this is Jaws, the famous Steven Spielberg film of the 1970s. Spielberg’s enduring shark-tale addresses many of the key factors that make monsters …well, monsters. Numerous other examples of this basic plot type are found in myths, folklore, fairy tales, religion, and film. Again and again, man is forced to face his demons and overcome the odds to kill the beast.

The Rags to Riches Tale – This one really needs no explanation. However, if you think about it this is very similar to overcoming the monster. The lack of money is the beast and it is killed when the main character makes good. This simple plot is used throughout history and in the most diverse of cultures. After all who did not cheer for Cinderella when she finally got her prince charming?

The Quest – This is my personal favorite. The best example I can come up with is Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. The idea of a man searching for answers and doing what it takes makes for great storytelling. We have seen this being used for thousands of years to create stories that are as fascinating to us as they were to our ancestors.

Voyage and Return – While almost Identical to the quest it differs in one very important way. The quest takes you from point A to point B and resolves itself. In this plot type, the main character makes a journey only to find out that he must return to the beginning and face whatever it was he was running from. Homer’s Odyssey is a prime example of this and gives credence to the ageless ability of tales to be told, retold and kept for generations.

Comedy – Stories of this type are highlighted by misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and disguises. Only in the end are the true identities of the characters and their intentions revealed. I have never been a big fan of comedy. I will admit though in literature it does have its place. Finding examples of this is not hard to do at all. I guess if I had to pick a favorite I would have to go with a movie that I watched quite a few times, Mel Brook’s smash hit, Young Frankenstein.

Tragedy – Who doesn’t love a good tear-jerker once in a while? Shakespeare’s Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet are two examples of this. We see this plot type being used again and again in so many different ways. I think we like to hear about the trials and troubles of others so we can say, “Well at least I didn’t get poisoned or run through with a saber”.

Rebirth – Again this is one of my favorites. This plot type is best illustrated in stories like A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. An evil man gets a second chance in life and makes the most of it. These are stories of hope, change, and rebirth.

What all of these fundamental plot types share in common is …it’s all about human development and becoming a mature person. Needing to tell a story is not a sign of creativity, but a measure of how we have become separated from our own basic nature and what we need to do to go back. The purpose of stories? They teach us how to grow-up and tell us how others did it.

This Week’s Podcast: On the show this week Jason Dowd joins us to talk about and tell stories about the Dogman. Also, we play part two of The Diamond Thunderbolt. You can listen to this podcast on Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.