Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Chasing Shiny Things

So, today I'm working on a scene in which my characters shop for new underwear for an 11-year-old boy. I google around a bit and learn a few useful details. I also learn that Jockey briefs, introduced in 1935, sold 30,000 pairs in the first three months they were on the market, despite the Great Depression.

Still not sure what my characters would find in a department store in 1946, I check Amazon where I discover a history of underwear offered. It sounds fascinating. My cursor is hovering over "Add to Cart" when I realize that buying a book on underwear might--just might--be the slightest bit of overkill, given that the info wouldn't show up in more than one sentence in the finished piece.

And so goes my main problem in writing and in life. I'm interested in virtually everything and find myself chasing every shiny thing rather than keeping my eye on the prize.

I'd write more, but I've got to get back to my underwear research. Did you know that in 1938 Jockey advertised their Y-front briefs by having a bride and groom dress in cellophane evening clothes for their wedding? Viral marketing at its finest.

7 comments:

Carrie Wilson Link said...

You crack me up,

Deb Shucka said...

What did guys wear before there were briefs?

Nothing wrong with shiny things. Nothing at all. :-)

The Geezers said...

Darn, sis. I've been away so long that my browser no longer immediately remembered your blog address. Sounds like you're still in the middle of the creative storm, so keep at it.

Does this mean I can call my interest in skimpy lingerie "historical research"? I didn't think so.

kario said...

I find your restraint admirable. Since Amazon instituted their cursed one-click, I would have ended up with the underwear book in my mailbox in a few days.

Write on, my friend! This sounds so intriguing!

luckyzmom said...

I understand.

Amber said...

LOL!

yes. me too. It makes you win Trivia games a lot, though, right?? lol

:)

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