Current Project: Doctor in Petticoats
Status: page 57
Yes, I didn't write anything on the WIP over the weekend, but I've been doing research. And I find it ironic that the book I'm reading Pioneer Doctor - The Story of a Woman's Work by Mari Grana, talks about the subject Delilah Marvelle talked about at our January meeting. It is the story of the author's grandmother who became a doctor in 1889. She was a very forward thinking woman and she, even though it was against the oath she took as a doctor, helped women to not become pregnant.
Reading this book it is amazing to what lengths the women with 5 and 6 children would go to to rid their body of another pregnancy. The tales are sad, but it shows the fortitude of this woman to help other women and the ignorance of men at that time. And the comical ways that contraceptive businesses used in order to get their 'goods' to the public. And the goods that were deadly.
It wasn't enough that women had to endure hard work, multiple births, and and in some instances a husband over imbibing in alcohol, but the so-called miracle pills that would help them relieve their pregnancy were sometimes mixed with lethal proportions of drugs.
This book has not only helped me with the character for the book I'm working on now, but has given me some thoughts about characters for future books. Which to me is always a bonus! I love it when research for one book sprouts ideas for another. It seems to always happen that way and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Do you find that happens to you? While researching for a current project do you stumble onto something that triggers an idea for another story?
8 comments:
Paty -- It's always interesting to read about women through the ages and through different cultures. They always seemed to bear the brunt of heartaches and loss. I am glad I live in the present and in this country.
I don't usually do the deep research that you do but I have had research lead to new ideas. I can't pin a finger on an exact leap from research to new book even though I've been thinking about it for awhile. No doubt, once I hit send., something will leap to mind!
Good luck on your book.
Isn't that fun? Inspiration comes from so many different sources.
Alice, I agree. To live in the times we do are much better for women than they were 100 years ago.
Kendra, yes it does! I have a contemporary story that came to me from listening to a song. And the funny thing- the premise has nothing to do with the song but one phrase in the song has stuck as the title to the book.
Like Alice, I can't point to a specific instance where research has led to a new book, but I went through a phase of keeping newspaper articles that triggered ideas for me. I finally realized that I was never going to have the time to write the stories to go with the half dozen boxes of articles I had collected. And it seems like writing one story leads to another which leads to another, etc.
Very cool that you're finding fascinating research!
Genene, I have a file like that too, with interesting historical places I've collected from newspapers over the years. I figure when I run out of ideas, I'll go to the file.
I meant to post yesterday, but I was feeling under the weather. Must have been post retreat syndrome, or in this case beach withdrawal.
To answer your question, absolutely YES! Research spawns new ideas on every level, from plot twists to entire stories.
Karen, You must have had a good time at the coast if you're having withdrawls. LOL
I love researching. I can research for hours and never tire. And yes, it ALWAYS stimulates book ideas, even when I don't intend it to.
Post a Comment