Those of you who have had to Research...

[wayfaringwordhack]

Do your projects have a specfic element (this includes a sci-fi story that needs Research for veracity) or are you writing straight historicals? If they are specfic, which takes precedence, the fantastical element or history/true life? Where is your emphasis? How do you reconcile the two? How do you know that the magic, mythology-come-true, or what have you contributes to the story and doesn't just neatly turn the focus?

Comments

Fan of Hard

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I can't seem to do anything if I don't do it the hard way. ;-)

One of the main things stumping me about this project is how deep I want to go down the specfic road. I can tell a good human-interest, mystery thriller type tale without putting too much fantasy into it. However, if I don't let any specfic in, like you said, the road is even bumpier. Everything has to hang together perfectly from a historical point of view.

There will be a bit more leeway with alternate history, say, but that all has to make sense in another way. Research any way you look at it, and I think you are right that the digging for details should go first.

Thanks for the ramble. :D

Re: Fan of Hard

[footlingagain.livejournal.com]

It must be much easier to have the details in your mind and decide you don't need them, than to really get into the swing of the story only to find a little detail you really need, but hadn't thought of.

I'm sure next time I'll do much more background reading. Just have to make sure then that I don't spend months on 'research' as another way of putting off doing the hard graft of writing *g*

Re: Fan of Hard

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Just have to make sure then that I don't spend months on 'research' as another way of putting off doing the hard graft of writing *g*

This is the trap I'm afraid of falling into, in fact. Living on a tiny island has both its advantages and inconveniences. Getting a hold of books (be it buying or borrowing) is not the easiest of things. The Internet is great but harder to wade through and not necessarily the most authoritative source. :P