[stylist] New to the List and Looking for Guidance on a Project

[Applebutter Hill]

Hi Tina,
Sounds like a really cool project. I love castles. My suggestion, which
you've probably already thought of, is to Google known castles like Windsor
Castle, Versailles etc. I would bet they have websites with some narrative
descriptions of the facility and its history that would give you something
to work with. I'd also try "Castles of the world."

When I was working on my novel The Heart of Applebutter Hill, I wanted to
have a scene inside Westminster Abbey, and I got a lot of info out of their
website. I didn't have the need to completely describe it though, because
the scene actually takes place in a virtual reality classroom..

I also have a castle in the book (the Castle of Bar Gundoom), which I made
up based on my collective impressions of castles from literature. There's a
French-style palace in northeastern Pennsylvania that we visited often, and
I incorporated some features from it, though on a grander scale.

Let us know how the project works out. It really sounds neat.
Donna

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tina Hansen
via stylist
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 11:36 PM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: [stylist] New to the List and Looking for Guidance on a Project

My name is Tina Hansen, and I am new to this list, though I've been around
the NFB for some time. I am writing to seek advice on a project I've been
working on in my head.

In a lot of literature, all or part of the story takes place in a castle of
some sort.

Some time ago, it occured to me that I had no idea what a castle looked
like. It also made me wonder if I wasn't the only one.

Given this, I have a 3-d tactile model of what a castle might look like, but
I want to add a narrative describing the parts of a castle, but also what
life might have been like during that time.

The narrative would be done in a modular fashion, probably using one of the
voice labeling units, like the Pen Friend. I would place audio labels on the
various parts of the model describing what the part might have looked like
or what might have happened in that part of the castle. I might also add
something about what might have gone on.

However, I am torn between creating a narrative from scratch or just
borrowing some or all of an existing narrative. If I borrowed an existing
narrative, it might be OK, but I want it to be engaging without giving up
accuracy.

My purpose for this project is, first, to help me get a better understanding
of a castle and its place in literature. If nothing, I would understand what
a castle might have looked like when I read some piece of literature, such
as Harry Potter.

Secondly, I want to use this model as a way to show parents and/or educators
how to use tactile, visual, and auditory learning modes.

As a result, my narrative nay not be published around the world, but it will
do me some personal good, and it will likely help some parent and/or
educator.

Since I'd likely get tired of hearing my own voice, I'd bring in a voice
talent to actually read the final narrative. Jaws can help me refine it,
along with expert guidance, but when it's time to do the final narrative,
I'd want to bring in a voice talent.

I can go online to look for material, but I'm torn between using the
material as it is or modifying it in some way to make it my own. If I do try
to make it my own, I don't want to give up accuracy. I also don't want the
material to sound dull or boring.

Finally, I want the material done in such a way that it works with a variety
of audiences.

Again, my project may not get published around the world, but it will help
me, and probably some parents or educators in my area.

I would appreciate any suggestions from members of this list on tackling a
project like this. Thanks.
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