A Guide to Becoming Sherlock

This blog is to help you become the next Sherlock Holmes. Observation. Deduction. Truth. These are my mottos. Respect them and treat them well. If you would like any further guidance to becoming Sherlock or have any other queries, do not hesitate to ask me.

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

Dear SH, How can you deduct or observe someone if you can't find anything? Am I missing something? Please help -Anon

Dear Anon,

Ensure you use all your senses, not just your sight. Is there a peculiar scent in the air? Perhaps one patch of grass is drier than the others? Or maybe you can detect that one glass of wine has a sweeter taste than the other thus, some vile substance has been added to the mix? Remember, I see what I observe and from what I observe, I deduce. However, that does not mean you neglect your other senses.

Regards,

- SH

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

Miss me? Miss me? Did you miss me? -JM

Shh...you’re not supposed to do that until next year. Also, Sherlock and I were wondering when you’d show up again. You really took your time, didn’t you? - TQ

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

Roses are red Sherlock's blood is too John's broken voice "He's my friend, let me through."

Sad but true. - SH

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

Mr Holmes- do you have any tips to stop being physically attracted to people? I tend to find most people physically attractive (regardless of gender) and that really gets in the way as it throws me off and makes me incapable of being objective. Any help will be appreciated!

Keep your mind blank. Focus on the task at hand. Don't have emotions. 

- SH

[mywatson]

“This illustration was made for the upcoming exhibition “Oficis Extraordinaris”, which will be part of the 2013 Valencia Book Fair. The theme, as you’ll have guessed, was to portray an “extraordinary profession” from a book. My choice was, of course, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, world’s first and only consultant detective.” Tools of a Consultant Detective by David Fernandez Huerta

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

ANNOUNCEMENT: ASK BOX HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Dearest fans and followers of this blog,

Thank you so very much for your continuing support of the blog. I remember back in 2012 when I was practically begging for Asks and now I am inundated with wonderful questions from you all (72 at the moment).

This year, I am entering my final year of university (I am studying to become a high school teacher) and therefore I shall be very busy. I do realise and understand that that is no excuse for not replying to my fans' questions. From now on, I will endeavour to answer as many questions as I can so please be patient.

Pertaining to the Giveaway, you are most welcome to submit any entries up until MIDNIGHT (AEST) on JULY 15th, 2014. As for the prizes, there may be a few more goodies in store for you.

In any case, thanks again for your support of the blog, it wouldn't be what it is today without you. Sherlock thanks you all as well in his own special way (shooting the wall).

Warmest regards,

- TQ (Author of "A Guide To Becoming Sherlock Holmes")

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

I am becoming very bored in school... I am very interested to learn the art of deduction, I have searched and searched but i can not find a resource to help me learn. Any suggestions? (I am in 7th grade) Please help me.

Dear Anon,

You seem quite young to be studying the art of deduction. My good friend moderates the main blog so perhaps you could gain some more professional advice from hers rather than mine. She has a list of recommended resources but you are most welcome to peruse mine as well (Click here to visit my page). I hope this helps you and Sherlock says best of luck in your studies.

- TQ (Author of "A Guide to Becoming Sherlock Holmes")

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

Dear Sherlock, have you heard of the book 'Confessions of a Sociopath'? I'm curious what you think of it.

Dear Anon, 

No, I have not heard of this book however I have just downloaded the e-book copy and intend to read it soon. It seems like a good read and I shall add it to my list of recommended resources shortly. (Click here).

- SH

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

Sherlock, I wish to become just like you. I have the keen intuition and knack for reading body language; but I struggle to find out how to tighten my senses. Any help?

Dear Anon,

I regret to inform you that I have already made several posts on this topic. However, sometime in the near future, I will add this question and my answer to the FAQ page (x).

- SH

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

Another interesting blog

Hi. Here's a link to a blog you might find interesting. It has a similar "how to become like sherlock" theme, though expanded a bit. http://becomingoverhuman.wordpress.com 

Dear Anon,

Thank you for bringing this blog to my attention. I shall add it to my list of recommended resources. 

I hope you have a good day.

Regards,

- TQ (Author of "A Guide to Becoming Sherlock Holmes")

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

Sherlock, my friends bore me. They always talk about the same things and the same boring people and I'm usually deeply uninterested in what they are saying, so of course I space out, and then they're offended. Not only are they boring, but they can also be quite irritating and dramatic. What can I do?

Dear Anon,

The solution is simple: ditch your friends and make new ones or simply be alone. For what purpose do you need those friends anyway? I have acquaintances, family and I have very few friends. You can still keep in touch but keep your distance. I'm not saying this is the best thing to do as I am a consulting detective not a relationships expert; this is just what I would do.

- SH

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

You always say people have their limits, what if you meet someone who doesn't have a limit. Who can challenge your every succeed. What if?

Dear Anon,

I'm not quite sure what you mean. Are you enquiring what I would do if the situation arose where I met someone who had no limits, someone who never failed? There are two possibilities of what I would do IF that situation arose, one option you wouldn't like, the other is almost certainly impossible to achieve.

I hope this answers your question, dear Anon.

- SH

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

I'm so glad to find another serious-minded homage to Holmes out here on the internet (as opposed to fandom sites). Perhaps you and your readers would like to check out my project? Maybe we could collaborate. - everydaydeductionist on blogspot -

Dear Anon,

Thank you for bringing your new blog to my attention. I'm finding it quite interesting to read so I will definitely link everyone to your blog. Perhaps we will collaborate in the future and thank you for your compliment. I truly appreciate it.

Kind regards,

- TQ (Author of "A Guide to Becoming Sherlock Holmes")

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

Sure about not having dinner? ;) -JMx

No. Can you please stop impersonating people? It's quite annoying.

- SH

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

Grocery Shopping Deductions Guide (Submission)

Observing someone's groceries can reveal a great deal about someone. By analysing a shopping cart you can deduce whether someone is a vegetarian or vegan due to the lack of meat products. A large number of specialised foods such as gluten free products or dairy alternatives point towards gluten or lactose intolerancy . Low fat or non fat items could also suggest that the individual is on a diet or has high cholesterol levels. Keep a lookout for medication too, as this reveals a  person's status of health. Pain killers or migraine relief tablets could mean high stress levels.

The brands of the products can also indicate how much money a person has. A more well off person has many luxurious items in their cart which may even help you deduce their occupation. Meanwhile someone who looks 20-ish and has mostly  "meals for one" and own brand supermarket goods could indicate a student living on a budget by themselves.

What kind of shower gel do they use? Any particular fragrance they like? Why is that? Could it be linked to their past?

Are there items which seem to be for other people? This can tell you whether the person is married, has children etc

Traditional/cultural foods can give away where a person may originate from or have links to..

Supermarkets are truly fascinating and you can really figure out a lot about someone's lifestyle and habits simply by looking at what's in their shopping cart. It has amused me many a time! 

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

Let's have dinner.

No. 

- SH

[aguidetobecomingsherlock]

Sherlock, has the thought of settling down with a person ever occurred to you? Has it occurred to you but never seemed appealing? I supposed I'm wondering if you ever crushed on people, either when you were younger or now?

As you might recall, I stated that, "Love is a dangerous disadvantage." And I really don't understand the idea of marriage. It's never really appealed to me. Pertaining to your last question, what business is my love life to you, dear Anon, and how does it relate to becoming a consulting detective?

- SH