I believe her brain damage, being fairly similar to mine, might make that process problematic.

That's what I was wondering. It's one thing just being a lousy shot (and they do exist), it's another thing having a functional reason for not being able to fire a handgun. I'm wondering if some kind of stability assistance (being allowed to rest the gun on a ledge or something attached to a wheelchair arm) could help? And even if it would help, if the rules for qualifying/licensing would allow it? You've definitely thrown your protagonist in deep water there!

Applauding for Susan. That was a speedy response, huh? Go you!

Susan, congratulations!

Now go look up local black powder clubs, call or email some people up and get yourself invited to a gun club weekend so they'll let you watch, learn how to load, and fire a gun. It's an experience you really need to have performed yourself. It's loud, and smoky, and shocking, and if your heroine is going to stand her ground and level a pistol at someone and fire, knowing what that's going to be like, you should know too. Because it's very intimidating, and she'll have to know what she's doing.

Thanks, Beverly. I never would've known what to look up. I found this, which isn't even a long drive away: [link]

KEWl! Take earplugs. And sinus meds, if smoke bothers you. It's loud, loud. But once you get over the jumping, it's kinda fun.

I had the privilege of meeting a well-respected British writer fella once, who engaged me with tales of tracking down people who had very specific makes and models of pistols, rifles and shotguns, who would let him handle them, practice loading, and perhaps even fire, if that was allowable. He said it gave him an immense confidence writing from a character's POV that he never would have gotten otherwise. He's a big believer in research. And a hell of a storyteller.

ETA: (And forgive me if I come over all bossy. I tend to do that without meaning to, especially if I have a little knowlege or expertise in a given area.)

Actually, I like the looks of this group better: [link] I'ma try them first.

Bev, if it's the British writer I think you're talking about, he's well beyond a hell of a storyteller, and more the stuff of modern legend.

drabble

I peered at him as I waited for the coffee to transubstantiate into energy in my sleepy brain. "We are not watching 'Conan the Barbarian' before bed again."

"Why?" he grinned.

"Because your mind is strange enough in the morning as it is. 'Cromulant' does not mean, 'Works that show the influence of the god Crom', that's why."

"You're just jealous you didn't think of it first."

Hell, now I'm jealous that I didn't think of it first. Good one, connie.

Hee. "Cromulant".

Not in the same league as AmyLiz, Nutty, and connie neil, but here it is anyway.

Drabble

I hate insomnia. I hate looking at the clock and realizing it's already too late to get the eight hours of sleep I really need before the alarm goes off. I hate having to get out of bed while I'm still sleepy and know that I will be stupid and slow all morning.

Caffeine will help me get through the day after a bad night, but the only kind they have at work is coffee. I never learned to like coffee. Yummy smell, horrible taste. Dr Pepper is my caffeine of choice. I ought to buy stock in the company.