Researching
How much time do you spend on research?
Me, I didn’t have to do much of it for the last two. A little here and there to get my facts straight, but when you’re making up your own system, you just have to keep your own details straight for internal consistency.
Clash is a whole other animal. And the funny thing is I’m not doing much of this research on facts or tidbits of information on locations or anything like that…although I am doing some. No, this research is literature, philosophy and mythology based.
And while I’m sitting here scouring books and websites, I’m wondering where all of this came from. I certainly didn’t start out on this novel with the idea of incorporating philosophical ideas into it (ha! never crossed my mind), but now it’s become ingrained into my story. It has actually helped shape my plot. It would be one thing if it was intentional, but it just sort of slowly morphed into this new thing. And to tell you the truth, I’m really liking it a lot.
I really think this one is going to be better because of these changes. It’s adding some depth to it, but the reality is that it took the story from having an okay plot to something that could end up being pretty cool. Or at least I’m hoping. I guess I’ll find out in 80,000 more words.
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Comments
I try not to do any more fact-based research than is necessary. Mostly because it’s tedious and I just plain don’t like it. I had to do a ton of it for a project I did back in April, and I probably only used a quarter of what I actually took down in notes.
That being said, I think there’s a lot to be gained from the sort of research it sounds like you’re doing because, while you’re using it for this specific project, it’s not exactly project-specific, if that makes sense. You’re increasing knowledge that might very well affect how you tackle future projects, edits on past projects, and maybe even life situations. So, there’s quite a bit to be gained from that sort of study!
I tend to do tons! Some is as-you-go things, like finding out what kind of trees grow in a certain place or the name of a highway that goes through a town.
This last book, though, is heavy on the medical end of things, and I had to do tons. I am now almost fluent in JAMA talk and I know more eight syllable pharmaceuticals than any non-med student should know. Even if it doesn’t make it into the book (Just way too technical) it’s important for me to have the basis to be able to write authentically.
Some books definitely need more than others! Your research sounds like the fun kind!
@Elizabeth - That is true. While I’m using what I’m learning for a specific project, it’s great to be learning about philosophy and reading literature I haven’t picked up in a very long time.
@Heidi - Whew, heavy on the medical? I think I’d pass out. I was never much for medical type things. Never make it as a doctor.
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