Comments on: Research

By: Jessie

Jessie — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:51:23 +0000

Thank you for the excellent article. Best thing I read all day. Look forward to reading more from you in the future

By: Paula R.

Paula R. — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:31:19 +0000

As a reader, I sometimes wondered about the amount of research an author has to do, on any subject. I loved reading Victorian Lit and regency England is one of my favorite settings. Sometimes I read books by authors and wonder about their process of finding out information. Once, I get into a book though, if it is really good, I forget about it being a book, and I just get sucked in. When that happens, I often have to take a deep breath and figure out where I am because I was so lost in the story. I love books about ships as well. Pirates, rakes, etc…some of my fave heroes. Have fun with your research.

Peace and love,
Paula R.

By: catslady

catslady — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:05:01 +0000

As a reader, I really appreciate the research authors do. I think that’s why I enjoy historical so much because I know there’s so much more to them. Master and Commander was really very good – you’ll enjoy it.

By: Margo Maguire

Margo Maguire — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:46:19 +0000

Sigh… I end up doing a lot of research while I’m writing. Seems like there’s always something new, something I haven’t read before or learned. So I hit my research books, or surf the internet for good sources, or ask some of my fellow writers who are members of historical groups. They often can point me in the right direction.

By: RobynDeHart

RobynDeHart — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:19:42 +0000

I mark all my look-up-later things with PIGLET in my rough drafts. I borrowed the idea from a friend and it works well. And so far I haven’t written any books where I would legitimately use that word so it hasn’t been a problem. I too read books on Victorian England a while back and now I tend to just do research on the specifics for that book. When I wrote Deliciously Wicked, I modeled my chocolate factory on the historical Cadbury factory and found a book on eBay that was basically a history of the Cadbury company. Very helpful. I tend to do just enough research before I start to know if my idea is plausible, but the bulk of the stuff is done in subsequent drafts unless I run into a significant problem that’s giving me great pause.

By: kristan higgins

kristan higgins — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:37:30 +0000

I try to do my research up front, Shana…I do like to visit the locale of my books at least once. But I find myself constantly Googling facts throughout the process, too. I love historicals set on ships…can’t wait for yours!

By: Tonya Kappes

Tonya Kappes — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:34:47 +0000

I research using books, internet, and sometimes I will go on a day trip somewhere that has some parts of my research to get a sense of the topic. I love to research and find something new.