Into the Fire

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Research . . .

 

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Yes, I know. Some of you love it. In fact, some of you love it more than the actual writing of the story. You could spend hours soaking in a tub of it, picking up puffs of information like so many clusters of bubbles in a bath.

I am not one of you. Not even close, but I can't think of a novel I've written which didn't require it. Whether or not the research came from life experiences in a particular field or hard-fought-for interviews with professionals or stacks of reference books or hours mesmerized by a computer screen, research is integral to presenting fiction. The irony isn't lost on me. We gather as much truth as we can to make our fabricated stories believable. Yup, that's us. Or we are that. Or authors. Whatever.

So. I've been blessed with multiple email conversations with our local film critic. I've spoken personally and online with an architectural designer. I'm blessed to communicate with a detective in an adjacent city. And I spent 30+ years in horse racing which is precisely why I could write a comprehensive novel centered on the track and why I'm placing my current WIP back at the track. Because I know it.

When the research comes up lacking, when the errors throw you out of the story, when the assumption is made that it won't matter, when the author and/or editor is in over his/her head  . . .

Need I say more?

 

Father, please lead me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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4 responses to “Research . . .”

  1. BK Jackson Avatar
    BK Jackson

    For me, research is the single greatest obstacle to writing fiction. I do happen to be one of those people who LOVES research. But my life is the exact OPPOSITE of being conducive to life spent researching. As time goes on, I feel like I have less time than ever before for the things I enjoy.
    Some books only require a little research. The kind of stuff I want to write requires a LOT because sadly, though I wish I knew everything, I know very little. And since my heart’s desire is to write a string of novels that curl through Arizona’s history, I can’t just study her history piece-meal. I have to see the whole historical picture. And that takes boatloads of work.
    I have at times contemplated giving up writing historicals because not having the time to research gets depressing, but the kind of contemporary fiction that would interest me would ALSO require a great deal of research and be harder to access (ie. spy stuff, modern weapons technology, etc).
    I know healthcare and behavioral health, but I can’t think of anything more boring or teeth-grinding to write about so that’s out.
    But hey, if anybody has ideas for novels that don’t require research, please let me know! I’d love to hear about it!

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  2. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    I’m right there with you on the thriller stuff. Would love to have the resources and gumption to do the required research and write them. Not gonna happen.
    And your pick for writing does require the “boatloads” of research to write authentically. I admire your stamina and desire – even when it’s difficult for you to find the time. You still make the effort because you won’t settle for the idea that maybe the readers won’t notice. Someone surely will, and they’ll be mighty disappointed, irate, or tempted to never read another novel you write.

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  3. Brenda Anderson Avatar
    Brenda Anderson

    Shoddy research will quickly turn me away from a writer. It’s one thing to make small mistakes–that’s going to happen–but it’s the big ones that I find hard to forgive, e.g. moving the Mississippi River. (Yes, a local author did do this.)

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  4. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    When an otherwise good writer makes major mistakes, well, I’m baffled.

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