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Angela recently asked about my research methods, and so I thought I’d give you some insight into the way I do the research for a book. And yes – my research often leads me to add situations to the story. Here’s what I’ve got for my next book so far …
The year is 1868, and the hero is Cullen MacPherson – a highlander who was banished by his father from his home at age twelve. He joined the Royal Navy and worked his way up to a lieutenant class, but returns home after he’s wounded in battle.
The heroine is Ginny Jones, a young Englishwoman who will inherit a lot of money once she reaches her 21st birthday. But there are bad guys out to get her, and she has to flee to a place where they will never find her – the highlands – Cullen’s highlands.
My methods:
I’ll start with my personal resources. I know a few people who have made in-depth studies of the history of the British Navy. I’ll get plenty of info from them, and they’ll be able to steer me toward some good resources (books and the internet).
I also know a few Scots in Scotland – people who have firsthand experience in the highlands. Once I come up with specific questions, I’ll ask them. (And I visited Scotland last year, so I’ve got my own memory to rely on, too).
Then I’ll go to the internet, but that’s tricky. You have to be careful about your internet sources, because some of them are dicey. They’re more pop-culture and hearsay rather than factual information. So I’ll usually go with university sites, or sites that have been vetted by my trusted author friends.
A few visits to the community library will be useful, and then I’ll probably go to the university library for particular detail. That’s basically it. One scenario will lead to questions, and I’ll start there. For example, Cullen was a navy officer. That leads to questions about the 19th century navy. What would his rank have been? If he joined up at age 12, what position did he have? How was he wounded? Since I know it happened during a pirate attack, who were the pirates, and where would the attack have occurred?
Then there’s Ginny – she’s going to inherit money when she reaches her majority. Is it age 21? Would she have been allowed to manage her money at that age? Would an older relative have control?
See how the questions come up? For my purposes, everything needs to be answered, so that the rest of the story rings true.
I know that many of you are writers … tell us how you get your research done. I’ll draw someone’s name tomorrow and send the winner a brand new, autographed copy of A Warrior’s Taking, which will be released Tuesday!
Filed in: Writers and Writing
Jun 25th
2007
9:51 am
Dorothy Said:
I’m not a writer, but from having been on author websites I’ve heard about the amount of reasearch that is done. Personally, I just want to say Thank You for all of your hard work to make my reading experience so enjoyable.
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Jun 25th
2007
9:58 am
Margo Maguire Said:
It is definitely our pleasure, Dorothy. Most authors love to do the research – it’s one of the most enjoyable parts of the process.
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Jun 25th
2007
10:06 am
J Perry Stone Said:
Margo, do you do a lot of the research beforehand and if so, how the heck do you remember all that info?
I find it’s easier for me (she with a memory the size of a gnat’s, well, you know) to get the bones of the story down, then put some sort of asterisk in the place I know I’ll have to do historical research. I go back to it in the editing stages.
Please tell me the pitfalls of this method.
The other problem is that once I’ve written the detail down, my brain farts it right out immediately thereafter.
Help.
J
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Jun 25th
2007
10:34 am
Margo Maguire Said:
J-
I like to do background reading to get a “feel” for the time and place. I’ve reada few histories of the highlands, and of course several histories of England. Every book will give you a slightly different slant, different emphasis, and from all your reading you get a sense of the era. It also helps to read some primary sources. For example – if you’re writing in Jane Austen’s time, read some Austen to get a flaor of the period. If you’re writing Victorian, read Dickens or Hardy.
Nothing wrong with getting your story going the way you do … and marking the places where you need more research. I do the same thing if I’m on a roll and don’t want to stop to verify or look up information. But for me – I have to have a solid background in order to get started. And I have lots of notes (and bookmarked places) to keep me going.
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Jun 25th
2007
11:06 am
Amy Said:
I’m with Dorothy, I’m not a writer. I’m not sure I would know where to begin. I didn’t like to do all that much reasearch in high school for papers. LOL However, in reading books, many,many,many, books over the years, I have started reading all the way thru as it is incredible how much histroy and tidbits there can be and how much reasearch is involved in just one book! KUDOS to any and all writers and the people that help them as I can not imagin how all consuming it must be to put pen to paper and make it all turn into a story.
Amy
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Jun 25th
2007
12:06 pm
sharon Said:
I am appreciative of all the hard work that goes into writing a novel. The research and time spent writing and reviewing all the information is a profound task. I read and consider that a wonderful benefit. Thanks.
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Jun 25th
2007
12:10 pm
Teresa W. Said:
I’m a reader not a writer so I don’t know what goes into finding research. I do know from what I’ve read on authors web sites that alot goes into writing a book. I just want to say thanks to all the writers out there I applaude you all.
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Jun 25th
2007
12:58 pm
Elizabeth Boyle Said:
I think the caution about relying on the internet for research is very important, because there is so much misinformation that is published on sites. Think about it: anyone can have a website and purport to be an expert. If I am relying on a website, I consider the source. I love museum websites, university websites and historical society sites. They are the most reliable. But nothing beats a good research book from the library. And if you see a good book listed on the internet or in another book, use Inter-library loan to track it down rather than spending a fortune to buy a copy. I have borrowed books from New Jersey, Canada, New Mexico, you name it, I’ve borrowed it through my local library.
And my only thought or caution on research, is don’t let it overtake your real work: writing! Get your questions answered and keep going or you’ll never get the book written.
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Jun 25th
2007
1:03 pm
Stephie Said:
I’m kind of a writer, and while I love doing research, it is at times a bit difficult when I’m looking for something really specific. I generally start out online, read articles and look at the sources they list at the bottom. I also have a list of books that a lot of authors recommend. Then I go to the library and see what I can find/stumble upon. I’m lucky to live right next to two excellent libraries. I love reading about history–I don’t end up using much of what I read, but just learning about it is really fun.
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Jun 25th
2007
2:17 pm
Shana Said:
Now I research on an as-needed basis. When I first started writing books set in the Regency period, I read every library book I could find on the period that interested me. I copied (shh!) everything I thought I’d need later and put it in notebooks with dividers. So now I have about a dozen notebooks with informtaion on everything from fashion to travel to money to horses to “celebrities.” So I start writing and then look up things as I go along. I go to the books I own and my binders first.
Once in a while I have a story that is based on something I read while researching. My next book, BLACKTHORNE’S BRIDE, is like that. I had to do a few hours of research ahead of time just to make sure that I didn’t have any details in the premise incorrect.
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Jun 25th
2007
3:26 pm
Clarisse Said:
One source of information I like is newspaperarchive.com. The subscription was kind of pricey but it enables me to look at the actual London Times (along with a zillion other newspapers from all over the world) for a particular date. Want to know what show was playing at a particular theatre on a certain night in 1819, there it is. I am not THAT much of a historical stickler but I find the real history can actually trigger fictional story ideas for me
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Jun 25th
2007
3:26 pm
Helen Said:
I am not a writer but I too appreciate all the work that you authors put into the books you write so as we readers can lose ourselves in another era and learn a lot about the history of that time.
Thanks
Have Fun
Helen
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Jun 25th
2007
4:34 pm
Paula Said:
I’m not an author but am always amazed as to the amount of research that goes into writing a novel. I can’t even imagine the amount of time that is spent on research before you ever get to write a single word.
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Jun 25th
2007
6:20 pm
brownone Said:
Not a writer here too but give kudos to those who have the patience to do the research so we can enjoy such a wonderful story!
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Jun 25th
2007
8:19 pm
J Perry Stone Said:
Great suggestions, Margo, and I do find my dialogue goes a little more smoothly after I’ve been on a P&P kick.
Elizabeth Boyle said: “And my only thought or caution on research, is don’t let it overtake your real work: writing! Get your questions answered and keep going or you’ll never get the book written.”
I think I wasted an hour today looking at Google images of hazel bushes. It was RESEARCH I tell you.
Jenna, I’m freaking out over here. I used your suggestions on the Passionate Pen for formatting my MS on Word and lost 20 pages (or rather, they shrunk because of that “Exactly 25″ trick–why the heck doesn’t Word default like you suggest anyway, I ask?). Oy.
So granted, I’m an idiot to start with, but it does sorta feel like I go to Jenny Craig and someone’s been messing with my scale.
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Jun 25th
2007
8:29 pm
Cherie J Said:
I am not a writer but appreciate the hard work authors put into doing research for books. From what I remember from having to do research for papers during my college days I know it is time consuming. I spent alot of days in the library to get my facts straight.
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Jun 25th
2007
10:33 pm
Stacy S Said:
I’m not a writer, but like everyone else I appreciate what you guys do. I love reading romance.
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Jun 26th
2007
2:08 am
Mary M Said:
Clarisse,
That is so clever! I would be tempted to be on that site all the time. Thanks for sharing it. I love history.
Mary
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Jun 26th
2007
2:27 am
April Said:
I write for the fun of it but am not a published author as of yet. Still, I do know about having to look for, verify and backtrack on facts and information in stories one writes. Especially when it’s in a time or place you’ve never been to. The internet is a great tool but there has to be follow ups to the information by checking out books at library, asking people who personally have knowledge about whatever your writing about, and of course visiting and verifying facts in certain places if nessessary. It’s hard work most times and thats why I’m with everyone who’s posted above me when I say I really appreciate all authors and all they go through to write a book and make it the best it can be.
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