To gloss or gather?

Me again! (Am I the annoying kid with his hand always in the air??)



My story is about to set sail, both figuratively and literally. I see it! It looks grand against the gently curving, far horizon. I know what my characters are going to do, and to what ends, but if the front end of the ship weren't pointy, I might very well sail her backwards!! I haven't the foggiest idea about sailing or seamanship. I was in the Air Force, not the Navy.

There is a boatload (sorry, couldn't help myself) of information on the net. I am spoiled for choice, but I haven't the actual experience to be sure that I am using the diction correctly, at the correct time, under the correct conditions, and said in the appropriate manner as not to sound like a fool.

Do I study myself into virtual captainship, or do I just allow the ship to be my stage and not fret about the minor points?

Do I study myself into virtual captainship, or do I just allow the ship to be my stage and not fret about the minor points?

So are you asking about the way sailors speak, or naming the parts? (Aft, below decks, arg, me matey!)

If I'm understanding your question correctly--and I may not be--I suggest learning just enough about this aspect to sound convincing and focus your energies on the story. Which I doubt is about seaman and ships?

Garmar wrote:So are you asking about the way sailors speak, or naming the parts? (Aft, below decks, arg, me matey!)

If I'm understanding your question correctly--and I may not be--I suggest learning just enough about this aspect to sound convincing and focus your energies on the story. Which I doubt is about seaman and ships?

Correct on both parts of the first question. And correct again on the idea that this part of the story is not really a maritime story, it's just a way for my protags to get to where they need to go, both physically and developmentally as characters. I figured I would be able to take some liberty as the story is Science Fantasy.