List Your Specialist Subjects

[BradyH1861]

If you need help with any of the following subjects in your WIP, I might can help:

8 years as a firefighter/emt
certified arson investigator
certified fire inspector
commissioned peace officer with numerous law enforcement certifications
MA in History
Civil War reenactor with some experience with 19th Century weapons
worked as a "patrol officer" before moving into investigations
Currently an arson investigator
Hurricanes (from the standpoint of having to stay behind and work during them)
Fire Station/Police Station Pranks
Police Academy/Fire Academy training and indoctrination
Divorce, Texas Style
Raising a son with a step-parent

I went through a cancer scare a couple of years back, turned out to be nothing serious, but I know all to well the feeling of waiting for test results that seem to take forever


I also know a lot of bad jokes.

Brady H.

[katdad]

Thanks for the offer. Good sources are always appreciated.

In return, I'm always happy to assist on background for the following topics:

Opera (both performing & general stuff)
Classical music
Modern firearms (especially non-military)
James Joyce (you never know)
Chess
Astronomy & cosmology
Quantum theory
General science

I can always be emailed at sam@waas.us

[Maryn]

It was medium-depressing to try to produce of list of my own expertise that my fellow writers might find useful. Around here, being a grammar and punctuation person counts for very little. (Which is a good thing!) Most of my other skills are probably present in your own families.

I was griping to my family and one generously offered her own expertise, which could be had second-hand through me (although she might offer her email for extensive questioning). I understand that a lot of this may never come anywhere near our mysteries, but I remind myself that maybe if it did, we'd be gathering another generation of readers.
---
Metal music and all subgenres: death, mallcore, black, nu, doom, stadium, speed, grind... (listen with an open mind and some is actually quite good, clearly showing classical influence)

High school social groups/pecking order, especially the pressures which bear on the social misfit, the highly intelligent, or the 'geek' and their responses

Parents who push their teens extremely hard to succeed (no, not me!)

Baking, especially bread, from scratch

Vegan-ism (some margarine contains animal blood??? Yuck.)

College entrance: preparation and exams, tours, factors in selection, schools' methods to entice students they want

Graphic novels

Web design (without using a program to assist) and to a lesser degree, computer and internet tech info

Social Anxiety Disorder/Shyness

Modern Philosophy (the academic type)

Goth culture, clothing, music, clubs, who's drawn to it and why
---
Armed with this information, we can drop James Joyce off at a Goth club and help him out if he seems a little out of his element...

Maryn, who really does know some useful stuff, honest!

[raffaella]

I’m not sure how helpful I can be, but since I’m getting so much out of these boards I thought I might as well give it a try.

I’m Italian living in Milan right now, so if you plan on setting part of your story on this side of the world I’ll be glad to provide tips about places, cooking (only original recipes!). Italian music and literature, language (from “gesticulating for dummies” all the way down to open swearing), or anything you can think of.

Plus, I spent 3 years in Singapore, so I might be able to help some with that too.



Not much I'm afraid, but feel free to use me!

[JennaGlatzer]

So you people finally bugged me enough to set up a new board.

This one is where you can get help with research and find interviewees for articles, and where you can offer your expertise to others.

Need a description of a town in Illinois?

Want to know how a gun works?

Need to interview the mother of an autistic child?

Here's your board.

Enjoy!

[scullars]

Here's my contribution:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/

[Chacounne]

I have knowledge in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and access to many more lay experts in that area. I collected autographs in person seriously for about twenty years, was a nanny for twelve years, and use hearing aids. My husband was a police officer for fifteen years, was a professonal handyman for many years, is a Vietnam vet, is diabetic, and is on dialysis awaiting a transplant in June (we hope). Please feel free to ask about any of these areas.

At your service,
Chacounne

PS. Thanks Jenna

PPS. Edited to add material: My husband is American; I'm Canadian; we're living in Canada, so we also might be able to handle Immigration issues along those lines. Also, I grew up with lizards for many years and probably know or can ask my Mom (the Lizard Lady) the answers to most questions surrounding iguanas, basilisks, geckos, and anoles (commonly called chameleons in North America).Oh and my husband wa special ops and know many entertaining, untraceable ways to kill people (Anyone ever heard of an ice bullet?) .

[Gehanna]

This makes me very happy!!

[aka eraser]

My areas of expertise are pathetically few: freshwater fishing, hockey, many aspects of writing, flirting with women over the age of 30, finding nuggets of humour in nearly every situation, and IRC (Internet Relay Chat).

The last leads to my request.

I'm working (fitfully) on a book about people's experiences with online chat rooms. I've devised a questionnaire for anyone willing to share their stories. All replies will be confidential and I don't need to know real names. No remuneration and I don't have a publisher lined up. My basic raison d'etre for the book is present a more fully-realized picture of what really goes on in the online world of chat than the mainstream media presents.

The only requirement for respondents is experience with online chat. You can PM me for the questionnaire or read more about it and contact me from here.

[veinglory]

I have a PhD in behavioural psyc and have lectured in universities in Oz, Uk and US. I will also have plenty of questions about esoteric subjects. Never did learn to write what I know!

[awatkins]

I can help with questions about diabetes, crafts for kids, domestic violence, writing, animals/pets/birds in general/parrots, and various and sundry other topics.

[Medievalist]

*. . .

I did a lot of study into dragons when I was younger. They were my obsession for years, so I know a bit about them that others maybe could use for their stories or other works. I would be willing to share any of my knowledge concerning them with other people, should such need arise.

[Edited to Add:
Another thing I know quite a bit about is some forms of mental illness. I have some insights (brought about by personally suffering from several Mental Illnesses) into the particular mental problems of Disthymia, Paranoid Schizophrenia, Undifferentiated Schizophrenia, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder, as well as Tardive Dyskenisia (I hope I spelled those two words right) which is a common side effect of some mental medications that shares several symptoms with Parkinson's Disease.

(Please understand, however, that I am not a doctor or psychologist and am only willing and/or qualified to give my own personal experience when it comes to the illnesses I myself have suffered from.)]


{Edited YET AGAIN to add:
I forgot this one; I don't know why, it's one of my favorite pastimes:
I know quite a bit about drums (acoustic) and drumming.}

[CaoPaux]

Heh. I know a lot about a few things and a little about lots of stuff. If nothing else, I bet I can find out where to find the info requested.

[Richard White]

I have a Bachelors in History with emphasis on medieval and renaissance eras. My minor was Criminal Justice (accepted into law school - never went).

15.5 years in the military - Czech/Arabic linguist (OK, Czech Linguist, Arabic wanna-be), Cryptanalyst, Air Assault qualified, Spent time in the 3rd ACR/101st as well as assorted MI units, got out as a Senior NCO

Wonderful knowledge of useless trivia - acutally used to read the encyclopedia when I was bored in HS/College

I've fenced, done SCA heavy fighting, cold-forged a broad sword (I don't recommend it), built armor, done heraldry, and am currently a sho-dan in Kendo. I feel reasonably comfortable talking about sharp objects.

[BlueTexas]

I'm an optician, so I can answer questions about vision and glasses and contacts and light. 'Cataracted' is not a verb, even though I read it as such in a Big Famous Novel last night. I know way too much about gooey nose pads. (The hint here is that if the nosepads on your glasses are green, start washing your glasses before you bring them to me!)

I know a bit about how Medicare, Medicaid, and general insurance billing works.

I've worked as a newpaper flier collator, a waitress, a restaurant opening trainer, a hotel bartender and desk clerk, a bookeeper, a classified ad salesperson, rubber stamp maker, in a landscaping office and at ren-faires.

I have metally ill and alcoholic family members. I've lived in Virginia, New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Georgia, Maryland, Nebraska and Texas. Most of the men in my family are retired Navy.

I know a lot about ghosts. I know about tarot cards, spiritualism, remote control airplanes, digital photography, cats and ferrets. I know how long it takes to drive from Georgia to Pennsylvania.

I've been to Robert Frost's house. That ought to be good for something!

[Liam Jackson]

Military/martial and cop stuff.

[KellyS.]

Nice thread. I'm not sure what, if anything, I can add.

I know that I would like to see if anyone knows a lot about small-town (backwoods) life.

[Gehanna]

I know the kind of information that I do not know, I know, until I am asked. There's just one very big problem with this and that is.....there are no guarantees that I know the kind of information you seek. The good thing is, I can just say, "I don't know."

With that in mind, feel free to ask me almost anything because I won't necessarily answer everything, even if I do know. ...you know?

Gehanna

[Sarita]

I speak Spanish, French fluently. Some Korean, Russian, Japanese, Italian, and Chinese.

I lived in Peru for a few years and know quite a bit about the mountainous regions North of Lima. Just finished researching the Incan Empire, so all things Inca are stored in my brain or on my hard drive.

I've been working in Market Research for 5 years, so there are quite a few bits of strange information I have in this head of mine. They include:

Heavy Equipment & Trucks (Cat, Detroit, Cummings, Mack)
USA Transportation System
Faucets
Breast Cancer Medication
Chemical water testing equipment

Ok, that's all I can think of right now. PM me if you ever need any info.

Sara

EDIT: Oh! I'm a French History Freak. Okay just a freak, but I know bunches about French History. History in general really. Should I try saying History one more time?

Sushi! I worked at a sushi bar for 5 years.

[maestrowork]

I don't know nothing. But you can still ask me.

(if you have questions about IT, e-business, web server, filmmaking, Asia and Asian cultures, bug soup recipes, and hamsters, let me know)

[T42]

I know about herbs. I have studied them since I was twelve years old and will share any knowledge I can with you.
I also know about alcoholism and other addictions which I will gladly share any knowledge I can with you. I spent quite a few years as a drug and alcohol counselor.
I also know about underground mining and construction work and how it plays a part in a woman's life.
I pride myself in being a dog whisperer so if your doggies down, let me know. If I don't know what flea is biting I will ask my daughter the veterinarian
I know quite a bit about crafts and art. I make all my own paper, clay and soaps. I do mixed medium, sculpturing, painting, old world trash art, rag pillows and much more. If I can help with something, let me know.
What I don't know I can help research. I love researching information.
Mem

[three seven]

I suppose I could weigh in with my specialist subjects really...


Automotive engineering, the car industry and anything else related to cars/trucks and motoring in general. But not motorcycles.

Air accident investigation & aeronautics.

Insurance law.

Serial killers and criminal psychology.

England - geography and culture.

The paranormal, specifically spirits/ghosts and astral projection; paranormal investigation.

70s/80s TV action shows.

Burt Reynolds (might come in handy, you never know!)




I'll come back when I've thought of some more, but my dinner's ready.

[Kevin Yarbrough]

I know about me and you don't. If you ever need to know about me then PM me and I will tell you.

Plus, I know about Autism, have a son who is autistic. I can help you with drugs that may be used, treatments that will help better their lives, if the autism is caught early.

I am a student nurse, so can help you there.

I also know about horror books, commercials, movies, music, and good looking women.

[TemlynWriting]

Let's see...

* B.A. in English

* Marriage topics, including newlyweds, stress in marriage, wedding planning

* Meeting your love on-line/on the internet (been there, got married!)

* New York & Florida (Grew up in New York [Long Island] and Central Florida)

* Know the Walt Disney World parks like the back of my hand

* Musicals (Broadway & film) - I am currently the Editor/Correspondent for Musicals at All Info About.

* Music (vocally-trained)

* Women's health topics, with emphasis on:

• The Pill (birth control & its effects, specifically Yasmin, Ortho TriCyclen, and Ovcon35)
• Breast issues: Fibroadenomas, Breast Lumps, Fibrocystic Breast Disease
• Anemia
• Fibroid Tumors
• Blood transfusions
• Thyroid issues
• Lichen Sclerosis / Sclerosus / Scleroses
• Lichen Simplex Chronicus (LSC)
• Chronic eczema

* Mental health topics

• Dysthymia
• Chronic depression
• Depression
• Bi-Polar
• Anxiety disorders
• General Anxiety Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Panic disorders
• Panic attacks
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Antidepressants (e.g.: Cymbalta)

* Health & Beauty Topics

* Ghana, West Africa

I'll add more as I think of them, but those are off the top of my head.