Writer Research
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:12 am
A huge 'thank you' to Yvonne Blake for writing a second lesson for me during this crazy two months when I was so very busy (we had a kitchen remodeled and went to Florida to help our daughter move, and I was working two part-time jobs). I'm very grateful to her for stepping up, and I think you'll find this lesson quite valuable.
My list of topics for future lessons is down to one, so if you have any ideas, please let me know, either by sending me a PM or by responding to one of my old lessons (but not to this one, as I won't get a notification).
Yvonne has published an historical novel, A Home for Phoebe, and its sequel, Going Home with Phoebe, which are set in the mid-1800’s near Albany, New York. They are filled with tidbits of the culture and history of that time. Also, she has compiled some of her Faithwriter Challenge entries, poems and short stories, into a book, In Their Sandals. These focus on familiar Bible stories through a different character’s point of view. You can find her books at Amazon.com or you may contact her to receive a signed copy.
Thank you, Jan, for letting me be on your page. It's a pleasure being here.
Jan has graciously allowed me to come back to share a few things I've learned on my writing path. I definitely don't consider myself an expert, but merely a curious person and a bit of a perfectionist. I research because I don't want my writing to lead my readers (especially children) into acquiring false information because of my lack of diligence. I always learn much more than I include in my writing, but hopefully, some of it will seep through.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO RESEARCH
A good writer includes details—types of trees, animals, flowers, etc. He dresses the characters according to the season and century. He gives them appropriate tools and objects. The characters travel somehow from one place to another. These all give the story depth and realism—unless the details are incorrect.
Sometimes these errors are blatantly obvious. (a train in the 1600’s) Others errors might not be obvious, except to those who are familiar with that fact. (a chipmunk living in a tree) So how can a writer know all these facts? Lots and lots of research! The more you study and insert details into your writing, the more interesting it will be.
Usually, I write (or think) of a basic plot. Then I begin asking myself questions about it—things I don’t know or things I want to check, to be sure of what I think are facts. It’s possible to write about places you’ve never seen or about people living hundreds or thousands of years ago.
The Writer’s Challenge has often sent me on research scavenger hunts. Here are a couple of examples:
Another Place - Walkabout Willy
Historic Person - Blinded
Writing about your present time may not require as much research, but the more uncommon the setting or group of people you choose, the more your reader will be fascinated by them. Be a teacher, but do it as a storyteller. Adding a detail here or there will give volumes of information.
Of course, historical details ought to be accurate. People, especially children, learn information from books. Even if a book is fiction, it is good to make it as accurate as possible. Also, writing Biblical stories, even when they’re fictionalized, should be based on as many facts as possible.
Here is a link to one of my Biblical stories: (I especially enjoyed this research.)
Living Water
There are a variety of resources for research. Here are a few. I’m sure you can think of more.
MEMORIES – Close your eyes and remember. Remember smells, sounds, colors, etc.
Treasure old diaries and journals –other people’s memories.
BOOKS – Visit the library, local bookstores (of your setting), keep eye out at flea markets, used bookstores for information pertaining to your writing subject.
(diaries, journals, hymnbooks, poetry books, recipe books, regional wildlife and vegetation, etc.)
ONLINE – Google is great. Don’t depend on one site for all your information. (not all are accurate)
Maps, genealogies, lists of names and facts, and timelines are valuable sources of information.
Timelines - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_ ... th_century
Maps -- http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/map_site ... sites.html
PEOPLE – Talk to people who have knowledge of places, skills, or history that you need.
Ask questions. Tell them you are a writer and want to be accurate.
EXPERIENCE – If possible, go to the place where your story is set. Take pictures. Ask questions.
Be observant. Notice things particular to that place – trees, weather, accents, etc.
(Create memories.)
No matter how much a writer does his homework and researches his content, there are sure to be errors. Although I spent many years researching while writing my historical novels, I expect that someone, someday, will explain that I have some detail wrong. That’s okay. It will tell me that they read my book, and that will make me happy.
ASSIGNMENT:
Tell me of an interesting research that took you on an adventure.
Or. . .
Tell me of a resource that I didn’t mention.
Or . . .
Give an example of authors that clearly show they have done their research.
My list of topics for future lessons is down to one, so if you have any ideas, please let me know, either by sending me a PM or by responding to one of my old lessons (but not to this one, as I won't get a notification).
Yvonne has published an historical novel, A Home for Phoebe, and its sequel, Going Home with Phoebe, which are set in the mid-1800’s near Albany, New York. They are filled with tidbits of the culture and history of that time. Also, she has compiled some of her Faithwriter Challenge entries, poems and short stories, into a book, In Their Sandals. These focus on familiar Bible stories through a different character’s point of view. You can find her books at Amazon.com or you may contact her to receive a signed copy.
Thank you, Jan, for letting me be on your page. It's a pleasure being here.
Jan has graciously allowed me to come back to share a few things I've learned on my writing path. I definitely don't consider myself an expert, but merely a curious person and a bit of a perfectionist. I research because I don't want my writing to lead my readers (especially children) into acquiring false information because of my lack of diligence. I always learn much more than I include in my writing, but hopefully, some of it will seep through.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO RESEARCH
A good writer includes details—types of trees, animals, flowers, etc. He dresses the characters according to the season and century. He gives them appropriate tools and objects. The characters travel somehow from one place to another. These all give the story depth and realism—unless the details are incorrect.
Sometimes these errors are blatantly obvious. (a train in the 1600’s) Others errors might not be obvious, except to those who are familiar with that fact. (a chipmunk living in a tree) So how can a writer know all these facts? Lots and lots of research! The more you study and insert details into your writing, the more interesting it will be.
Usually, I write (or think) of a basic plot. Then I begin asking myself questions about it—things I don’t know or things I want to check, to be sure of what I think are facts. It’s possible to write about places you’ve never seen or about people living hundreds or thousands of years ago.
The Writer’s Challenge has often sent me on research scavenger hunts. Here are a couple of examples:
Another Place - Walkabout Willy
Historic Person - Blinded
Writing about your present time may not require as much research, but the more uncommon the setting or group of people you choose, the more your reader will be fascinated by them. Be a teacher, but do it as a storyteller. Adding a detail here or there will give volumes of information.
Of course, historical details ought to be accurate. People, especially children, learn information from books. Even if a book is fiction, it is good to make it as accurate as possible. Also, writing Biblical stories, even when they’re fictionalized, should be based on as many facts as possible.
Here is a link to one of my Biblical stories: (I especially enjoyed this research.)
Living Water
There are a variety of resources for research. Here are a few. I’m sure you can think of more.
MEMORIES – Close your eyes and remember. Remember smells, sounds, colors, etc.
Treasure old diaries and journals –other people’s memories.
BOOKS – Visit the library, local bookstores (of your setting), keep eye out at flea markets, used bookstores for information pertaining to your writing subject.
(diaries, journals, hymnbooks, poetry books, recipe books, regional wildlife and vegetation, etc.)
ONLINE – Google is great. Don’t depend on one site for all your information. (not all are accurate)
Maps, genealogies, lists of names and facts, and timelines are valuable sources of information.
Timelines - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_ ... th_century
Maps -- http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/map_site ... sites.html
PEOPLE – Talk to people who have knowledge of places, skills, or history that you need.
Ask questions. Tell them you are a writer and want to be accurate.
EXPERIENCE – If possible, go to the place where your story is set. Take pictures. Ask questions.
Be observant. Notice things particular to that place – trees, weather, accents, etc.
(Create memories.)
No matter how much a writer does his homework and researches his content, there are sure to be errors. Although I spent many years researching while writing my historical novels, I expect that someone, someday, will explain that I have some detail wrong. That’s okay. It will tell me that they read my book, and that will make me happy.
ASSIGNMENT:
Tell me of an interesting research that took you on an adventure.
Or. . .
Tell me of a resource that I didn’t mention.
Or . . .
Give an example of authors that clearly show they have done their research.