Or doing what they’ve done, or going to do what they already did, or …
Have you done what your characters have done or will do? Will you soon be doing what they already did?
Even in the universe of fiction I found that engaging in the activity makes it far easier to write about it.
The underlying theme in my mind, as I write, is the simple standard of ‘is this plausible and if it isn’t how and where do I introduce earlier elements to make it plausible?’.
It doesn’t have to be real, just plausible. (though there is one plot device where I’m intentionally using actual results to make the point, just changing the names involved)
Is it plausible to swim with a shark? Lot’s of stories and videos abound online of doing so. But to have actually experienced it?
I did.
Twice, in one scuba dive. I talk about it HERE. That Blacktip shark was right there, not even 15 feet away.
My main character in the Distance In Time series, The Chairman, was a competition shooter in his youth. I’ve done that and keep at it every now and then.
The Chairman is a pilot. I’ve flown planes, performed landings, steep turns, aerobatics …
The character’s wife, Michelle, is a computer genius. Am I? No, but I’m familiar with code, with the concept of how it works, the meaning behind the code format. Expert? No. But enough where I can write about it.
I still have to skydive though. Yeah, the Chairman has done that also 😀
Also known as SAFS. Â Held every August at Camp Perry, OH.
Sponsored by the Civilian Marksmanship Program, the CMP. CMP SAFS link
(pic gallery and video below)
The Chairman, my main character in the Distance In Time series, earned his Distinguished Rifleman badge (at the age of 19). I added that based on my own experience in the competition, which began with a local NRA Highpower match quickly followed by SAFS.
The Chairman being a DR also factors in later on in the series 😀
The CMP Highpower rifle program is where you gather the points to earn the Distinguished Rifleman badge. CMP DR Badge LINK
SAFS is a school where a non-DR can gather 4 of the necessary 30 points to earn Distinguished Rifleman. Â You just have to place in the top 10%.
I’ll make that even clearer, it is 10%, not a certain score.  The top non-DR sets the score, from there it’s all those within 10%.  So if the top guy scores 300/400 then the remaining shooters only need to shoot 270 or better. If the top guy shoots 399/400 the cutoff rises accordingly.
It is here that I earned my first 4 points toward Distinguished Rifleman.
The CMP National Matches and Excellence-In-Competition matches are similar, just that they’re 500 points.  Again, it’s the top shooters that earn the DR points, not a certain score level.  This way you’re always competing against the group,  not the scoreboard. There are various requirements that help offset any funny business, such as a minimum number of shooters necessary in order to award points.
It is probably the best thought out scoring system I’ve come across for any form of competition.
In addition a spec rifle is used; Garand, M14 or M16 as outlined in the RULEBOOK.
The M16 format, at least as of 2014, is:
6.2.3 U.S. Rifle, Caliber 5.56 mm, M16
The rifle must be an M16A2 or M16A4 rifle issued by the U.S. Armed Forces or a commercial rifle of the same type and caliber. M16 rifles must be chambered for the 5.56 mm cartridge.
It is with this setup in mind that I decided that I wouldn’t simply be a collector of certain firearms but a competitor and I went with a Rock River Arms National Match AR15-A2 rifle:
Barrel: Wilson air gauged stainless steel, 20in, Wylde chamber (.223/5.56), 1/8 twist rate, A2 flash hider, A2 integral front post sight/gas block
Handguard: RRA free float handguard
Trigger: RRA NM 2-stage trigger. Failed in 900 rounds. Now using a Geissele SSA trigger
Front Post: 0.072
Rear sight: NM 1/4×1/4, .030 hooded aperture in fixed upper handle receiver.
Standard A2 pistol grip and A2 buttstock
Another benefit of SAFS is that they provide the rifle, ammo and magazines and you are required to use their rifle and ammo (you could use your own mags though). Everything else: spotting scope, stand, mat, logbook, sling, etc you had to supply yourself.
Not having to bring rifle and ammo actually greatly simplified my flight from Miami, FL to Camp Perry lol.
Here is a Flickr Photo Gallery (click on the photo), and below that, a short video I put together.
What does it mean to graduate from the University?
It is a real thing, though not a real place. It is tangible and brings peace. And just to be clear it is not related to some insurance thing.
Then what is it?
To tell you would be to rob you, to deny you the …….. well, let’s just say that the graduate of the Blue Vase University fully understands why someone would be circumspect to explain, much less to explain it in full detail.
“So, if I’m not a graduate how do I get to be one?”
If some of you readers know the answer, don’t go posting it in the comments 😉
For those who are still asking the question just look in the mirror and tell yourself ‘It Shall Be Done.’
Dan Passaro 