I'm celebrating four years here at LindaMercury.com! And as part of the good times, I'm re-posting some of my earlier posts.
Today's post is, "Hands On Research" from April 15, 2009.
***
By training and preference, I love research through the writer's
traditional resources - print, photographs, online ready-reference.
This
week, though, I got down and dirty with first hand experience. There
are some things a girl just can not learn through other people's words.
Like how to shoot a firearm.
My
good friend, a former Marine, graciously took me to a pistol range on
Monday. There he patiently explained the handling of the four different
pistols I ended up renting and shooting.
I learned what
single action and double action meant, what the hammer did, how to hold
the weapon, how to aim it, and finally, how to shoot it.
First came a revolver, the .38 Special. Next came two 9mm, a Sig and a Glock. Lastly, .45 Smith and Wesson.
 |
| The .38 |
 |
| The 9mm Sig |
Whenever
I learn something new, the oddest things stick out at me. I didn't
expect to be tossed around as much as I was. I'm not small, nor am I
weak. But my thumbs and wrist still feel like they've been gnawed on!
 |
| The 9mm Glock |
Second,
I was struck by the difference between the slow, accurate firing of the
revolver and the faster, "throw a lot of bullets at it" feeling of the
semi-automatics.
 |
| This one felt like it ripped my arms off. |
Handling something that has the sole
purpose of killing something is an interesting mixture of fear and
power. It's not unlike getting behind the wheel of a car, but with a
less ambiguous reasoning. After all, a car is also transportation.
Will I ever own one? Unlikely.
Will I fire them again? Most likely.
Will I try other firearms, such as rifles? Again, most likely.
This
is information I need to make my writing vigorous, strong, and real.
Lots of times, writers put in characters who are not affected by their
ability to kill, who almost seem to seek it out.
I've
already learned this is not truthful. Those who understand the kind of
power and responsibility that come with holding life and death in their
hands are more likely to never want to use it.
