Blog chain time has come around quickly again, and Kat started a discussion on research. She asked,How do you do research for your settings, your story, and your characters' quirks? What interesting tidbits about yourself and the world you live in have you learned along the way?
Research, research... I'm on a trip in and around the Appalachian Mountains right now. The point isn't for research, but I have kept my mind open to story ideas for my novel Outlaw Song. And, I've been getting lots of inspiration from the forest-y and mountainous surroundings, but I wouldn't call any of that research.
But could I? Is being somewhere new and paying attention to how it could affect my stories considered research? Or am I supposed to go to a library and read books and interview strangers to ask them what something is or was like?
I didn't do any research for my first novel because it was set in some Midwestern town in present day with three characters who were all ages I've been. And my next four novels were written during NaNoWriMo, and I certainly wasn't going to stop and worry about research then.
Now, I have this Outlaw Song novel I'm working on, and I think it takes place sometime between 1850 and 1920 (I'm hoping it'll be an epic), and I think it takes place in our around the Appalachian Mountains, and I want it to have Indians in it, and religion, and lots of death, but I don't want to get too historical fiction with it. Like, I don't want to take a character or event from time and write about it. I just want to write about fictional characters and places that could have existed in this time and place. My husband says (yes, I don't know history. I have to ask him everything) the Civil War happened around this time period and in this place, but I don't want to write a novel about the Civil War. Maybe the war can serve as a backdrop. I don't know. You see? I have a hard time with real times and places. I don't want someone to read this and go, "Hey! That didn't happen in this place!" But, again, I don't want to write historical fiction, so I don't know how much it matters.
So, research. It's like the more I think about, or even when I start to do it, it just makes me more unsure about my story, and less confident about what I can actually write about.
To answer Kat's first question, then, I research by trying to pay attention to what's around me and writing down my ideas (as opposed to thinking I'll remember them forever and then being sad in 10 minutes when they're gone). I would like to think that as I figure out Outlaw Song more, I'll get deeper into research if need be. But, I'm trying not to let research scare me right now so that I can just get my characters and the plot down firmly.
As for interesting tidbits about myself and the world... um... I'll get back to you on that after I've actually finished a novel that I researched.
Question for you all: Does research ever trip you up? Does it paralyze your story because you're afraid of getting everything right?
For more on this topic, Elana posted her thoughts on the "R-word" before me, and Sandra will be up next.
12 comments:
I research by trying to pay attention to what's around me and writing down my ideas (as opposed to thinking I'll remember them forever and then being sad in 10 minutes when they're gone).
This is awesome!
There's nothing like kickstarting the flow of creative juices with new surroundings and observing different "cultures." And yeah, I forget, too, if I don't write it down.
Good luck on your Outlaw Song.
(BTW: Have you ever been to the Black Hills in SD? That place is rife with old-timey, outlaw-y inspiration.)
I think traveling to different places is a great way to do research. You can pick up on all sorts of little details that can bring life to your setting.
To answer your question, yes, I do have a fear of getting something wrong in my story. It doesn't affect my research as much as it does my description. The less I say, the less I can get wrong, right?
I think it's so cool that you are drawing inspiration from your travels - it will be interesting to see how everything you're observing works its way into your book.
And yes research can paralyze me, I think that's why I avoid it like the plague.
I think paying attention to your surrounding absolutely counts as research...everytime. Your story soundsinteresting. Don't let the "research" part intimidate you. There are a lot of people that can help. On my WiP, I needed some specific information on 1589 Germany. So I asked an online friend on Twitter - and voila...a book that is proving to be invaluable!!! So follow the heart of your story and go for it.
Good luck.
I love research, but then maybe that's why I have a Master's of Science degree. Even though I write fantasy, I do a lot of research. For my last book, I had to research myths, rape, setting, and do some medical research as well (Yeah for H.L Dyer at the QT blog). For my WIP (YA paranormal), I've had to do research on blood clotting (no vampires!), myths, and a host of other things.
Who thought you don't need to do research if you write fantasy? Oh yeah, Elana J. :)
you know...even though I like to research, I get tripped up by it sometimes. If I start researching and it becomes too intricate or complex or is just going to take much longer than I originally planned, sometimes I'll change whatever aspect of my book I need to just to cut back on the research :D But most of the time I enjoy it.
And I am so jealous you are on that trip! My parents live in TN. It is soooo beautiful out there. I get homesick quite often :)
Loved this post. I've started putting what I need to research in (CAPS) within my ms and then, I go back and fill in details. Usually, I just get the story down and go back to replace the CAPS when the time is right. Because of the caps, I can find it easily on reading. I put the parens around the question in caps so that I can do a search for "(" and find the ones I might accidentally miss.
Good luck with your book. Fantastic location and cool, hard time period.
Love the pic of you writing!
Also love that you watching and learn, and that Elana mentioned that too. I need to start paying more attention to things for writing purposes, rather than just for life experiences purposes.
I definitely think paying attention to what you're doing on vacation counts as research. Totally!
Kat- I have not been to the Black Hills of SD, but now they're on my list! Maybe next summer's trip.
Sandra- I'm the same way about description. If I don't write about it, no one will notice.
Kate- I got a ton of story ideas from my trip, but now I'm worried I'm like, stealing ideas. I create too many problems in my mind.
Christine- I'll try not to be afraid of the research. Honestly, after reading some of the other chain posts, I'm starting to rethink my fear of it. Some of you sound like you're having a good time.
Stina- Your research sounds really interesting! Maybe I should not be so timid.
Michelle- I guess that's true, I can always cut the too-difficult-to-research parts. Yes, TN was beautiful! I loved the Smokies.
Mary- That's a good strategy with the CAPS. I already write a lot of notes to myself in parens, but maybe I'll try the CAPS thing for stuff I have to look up.
Carolyn- Sounds like to me from your post that you do lots of paying attention! I know my trip made me realize I could be more aware in my every day life.
Elana- Yeah, I felt very productive while relaxing, ha ha! Now I have too many new story ideas.
Have a wonderful trip! I consider every opportunity a potential story lol. It's a writers life right?
T. Anne- Yeah, a writer should always be on the lookout for stories. This is why I also don't feel bad about daydreaming.
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