C'mon, folks, these snarky replies are sorta mean. While I would agree that 
some Catherine's replies to various bits of well-meaning advice were a tad 
high-handed, they didn't deserve this sort of response. To her credit, 
rather than simply ignoring the suggestions that didn't apply to her 
situation, she took all suggestions seriously and answered in detail. Most 
of us haven't gone down this road before, and there was good information in 
most of the postings, whether they were relevant to her original query or 
not.

That being said, another issue I'd like to put on the table is to point out 
that writing fiction based on archaeological research is a legitimate PUBLIC 
ARCHAEOLOGY activity, worthy of both DOING and ANALYSING.  As can be seen 
from this thread, it is a difficult enterprise. How can we encourage our 
colleagues who are trying to do this? How can we encourage our publics to 
read it? How can we evaluate whether it is successful in countering all of 
the myths and stereotypes about archaeology?

Related to this...does anyone know of any creative writing programs 
affiliated with archaeological sites? It's an area I've considered 
developing as part of my site's PA efforts, but it would be great to have 
some good examples if others have already attempted this.

Anyway, kudos to Catherine, and anyone else who makes the attempt to enter 
this very challenging area of publishing. You are doing good public 
archaeology.

cheers,
carol

**************************************
Carol McDavid, Ph.D.
Project Director, Public Archaeology, Yates Community Archaeology Project
Adjunct Asst. Professor, University of Houston
1638 Branard
Houston, TX 77006
www.webarchaeology.com
www.publicarchaeology.org


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Skiles" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 1:01 PM
Subject: Re: an archaeological mystery


> What a snotty know-it-all ingrate! Thanks for giggin' her!
>
> Bob
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Mark Branstner" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 12:11 PM
> Subject: Re: an archaeological mystery
>
>
>> >I have already published one historical novel, so I have a game plan.
>>
>>
>> Then, why, oh why are you wasting your time and ours by posting your 
>> question to this list?
>>
>>
>> -- 
>>
>> Mark C. Branstner, RPA