The book I'm working on requires a lot of research. I knew this going in, and was excited about it. Now I'm not so sure. I find myself getting hung up on small details - and I can't just leave a note to just find it later. Oh no, can't do that. Right Eli? I have to stop what I'm doing and look it up. Darn curiosity.
I'm having to do a lot of mythology research (wooooo!) and will have to do weapon and fighting research (boooooo!). Should have thought of that before I started writing I guess...I know there are tons of resources out there, but it's so time consuming to locate those details that make a story feel real. And heaven forbid it's wrong or doesn't sound authentic. Yikes!
My brain also gets sidetracked as I write. I'll be tooling along then have a brilliant idea, but one that requires research to flesh out. So I stop writing, go investigate, then loose my groove. Although on the rare ocassion the research actually gets me writing fast and furious. Those are the best times, ones where your fingers can't keep up with your brain.
I think the best way for me to work is to do much of the research before I begin writing. Since I'm generally a somewhat detailed plotter, I should know the informaiton I'll need ahead of time. Then I will have everything available when I need to incorporate it into the story without a lot of fuss. Or maybe even keep a notepad next to me as I write and jot down a "to research" list as I go.
What do you do about research? Do you do it all before you begin writing? As it comes up? Or save it till the end or during revisions? Please share any research tips you have, or even great resources you've found. Since my books are mythology based, I find a lot of great info at pandora.org.
6 comments:
I research during - but you already know that. ;) For the life of me, I can't just leave little notes that say "research this later". Drives me too nuts to go on and know there's something I left hanging. If I need a gun, I have to research the exact type in order to make the scene work. If I need a boat, I need to be able to visualize the inside and outside. So often, one minor detail like that impacts how the characters act and behave in the scene...just too hard for me to work all that back in later.
There are some exceptions. I do a lot of major research before a story starts - like Greek Mythology for my last book, and child psychology for the one before, but details I tend to do as I'm writing. As I near the end of a book too and stall, sometimes I'll take a break and go research something for the next book - just something to get my brain flowing in a different direction. I'm doing revisions on a manuscript right now, and in between pulling my hair out, I'm researching sports groupies. My, oh, my. There are some messed up young girls out there. ;)
Great topic, Lisa. I'm looking forward to hearing how everyone else does it.
Research is the reason I like writing historical. :)
When I decide on a location, I research it by going there, reading newspapers in that area and time. Usually while doing that I glean onto something that will work for a character. While researching, scene ideas come to me.
Then once I start writing, something always comes up that needs researched a little more. And I do it as it comes up in the first draft since it could make a major change in something else along the way if I don't have it right. Which happened in MIP. I had the train scene written, found out there wasn't a train running in the area I wanted at the time I had set. I tried to do the scene with a stage coach, but it just wasn't the same, so I changed the date of the whole story to when there was a train running in the area. That's when I learned to research everything as I go!
Lisa, if you have specific mythology questions you need answered, I could post them on the history loop I belong to, or you can join the Hearts Through History RWA chapter.
Great Post!
I do enjoy a good research project, Lisa. And like you, I'm often researching mythology or the occult. It's loads of fun! And I research as I go. Sometimes I'll be researching one thing and land on something else that's totally cool and perfect for an upcoming scene or turning point. It's almost as serendipity! Lots of times it's as if I was meant to find that one tidbit of info right when I did. I just love when that happens!
Eli, sports groupies, huh? Wow. That's going to be a fascinating subject for a suspense novel. I can hardly wait to read it. Hurry up and get published already!
Great idea, Paty, to research as you go, IMO. Saves time, and sucks up time, both. But that's okay because as I see it, it's just part of the process.
Lisa, did you see the ad for that great book B&N has on sale for 28% off with their coupon? Oh, this is right up our alley. I can't wait to read it. Talk about research! It's called THE ELEMENT ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SECRET SOCIETIES AND HIDDEN HISTORY. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Was probably inspired by The DaVinci Code. The subtitle is: "The Ultimate A-Z Ancient Mysteries, Lost Civilizations and Forgotten Wisdom." Doesn't that sound awesome?
Karen
Ooooh Lisa, your research sounds like fun! Did you know that there's a "movement" ,if you will, in Greece right now where people are starting to worship the Old Greek Gods again? LAME! LOL
Research can be fun and frustrating. I like to do some before, then as things come up, I go looking for more answers. I'm not a plotter, I've tried, it doesn't work. I do my best just sitting down and going for it after I know the general premise. I did a lot of research when I was writing my Regency historical, but with contemporary you can "wing it" a little longer depending on your story line.
And I totally understand about getting sidetracked when your researching. Sometimes it's so interesting you don't care about anything else. Oh, and the whole fingers can't keep up with the brain thing, ARGH!, that's so frustrating!
The keeping a list or even typing into the ms in a different color where you need to go back through and research further works well. The different color stands out and is a great reminder.
One of my favorite authors, Eloisa James, has a research assistant. Wouldn't that be ideal? But when you're as hot as she is right now, you could afford it, and would need one just to keep up with your deadline demands. Well, I'd imagine this is true.
Eli- Love your idea for sports groupies! That's very, um, intriguing to say the least. LOL
Karen- That book sounds awesome. I love stuff like that. The DaVinci Code was very gripping, to me. I don't read much of that sort of book, but it did make me very curious to learn more about secret combinations that have been here since the beginning of time. They are there, and they get used by people everyday, but just a select few are in on all the details. Interesting.
Oooh, Karen. I gotta get that book! Sounds like something I'd love.
And yes, the whole sports groupies thing is really interesting. I stumbled across a blog written by two groupies who report on their "conquests" (their brashness just blows me away). Their whole mission in life is to try to out these professional athletes without naming names. I, of course, made DH read it and asked him if he could pick out who was who. He rolled his eyes and went back to watching ESPN. LOL
Eli,
Haha! I can only imagine what you're finding in your groupie research... I think researching before writing is a good idea. I wish I would have, it's really hanging me up.
Paty,
Reading the newspapers of that era is a great tip! And your train example is a great reason to do it before or as you write along. Thanks, I'll let you know if there is a question I need help with. Thanks for offering!
Karen,
Oh my gosh I'm going to buy that book! I love those kind, thanks for the tip! Woooo! I've got lots of oddball encyclopedias like that too. They are very inspirational just to flip through from time to time.
Piper,
LAME??? I would totally join that movement....hehehe :) The color coding is a great tip, I'll do that. Maybe if I color them in pink, I'll enjoy the color so much that the more the merrier. Hmmm... Research assistant? That would be nice.
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