Jun
Research
On Monday I received a book that I ordered (GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict by Debra Dixon), so I’ve decided to do some research until On the Way to the Wedding comes out next Tuesday. The back of the book says, “Be confident your idea will work before you write 200 pages.” As I’ve only written about 80 pages or so in my WIP, I would like to make sure my h/h are headed in the right direction. I like my storyline and my characters, but I want to make sure that editors and readers will too. I thumbed through this book and it is packed with useful information. Now I know exactly what Robyn DeHart and Kimberly Logan were talking about! This book will help you discover why your scenes aren’t working and what to do about it and also help you to write a dynamic query letter to an editor. Needless to say, I am pumped!
Because I’m writing a Regency set historical most of my other research/reference books are for that time period. Some others that I have, and that are very useful, are: The A to Z of Regency London (this book contains detailed maps of London during the Regency period), English Women’s Clothing in the Nineteenth Century, What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew and The Romance Writer’s Phrase Book. Each of these has helped me in one form or another. I also have printed out several workshops by Jenna Petersen and Robyn DeHart and of course, when these wonderful authors come to blog with us, I gobble up and print every word! I have learned so much in the last 8 months that I’m confident will help me on my road to publication.
Where do you find your research? On the internet? In books? If so, what kind of books do you have for research? And how much time do you spend researching? Do you research while writing or separately?
I have Georgette Heyer’s Regency World. I also have several references for Shawnee history, including language, culture, stories, songs, dances, and names.
I read through these while I was in a middling phase a few months ago and now that I’m forecasting my 2nd Pass Revisions to be complete within a few weeks I’m planning to take off a week or two and make detailed notes for my 3rd Pass Revisions. For example, the Shawnee language has only 11 consonants. Therefore, if I want to make Kisahthoi’s (where the ’sah’ is pronounced ‘tha’) dialogue more realistic I can reduce the ease with which she makes certain sounds. Not in a major way, but just so she doesn’t sound so English. I have tons of friends who speak English as a second language and lately I’ve been listening more carefully to their vernacular. One of the things I noticed is that they may have a very thick accent, but if you were to write down literally every word they say their grammar is perfect. So that’s what I would like to try to aim for.
And another thing I really want to do is add very tiny, almost unnoticeable Shawnee details to my WIP–so when Jonathan might think of October as Autumn, Kit might think of it as Early Winter. And so on. That’s my major plan, anyway! And then Nationals! woo-hoo!
June 21st, 2006 at 11:22 amI took Deb’s GMC workshop last October. It was great! That’s a good book.
June 21st, 2006 at 12:46 pmAt the moment I mainly have costume books in my actual ‘library’, as well as The Prince of Pleasure and His Regency. I’ve ordered the A to Z… but it’s on backorder, so might take a little while before I get it.
Some research I do on the internet, it depends a little bit on what I need. I’m reading up a little on dyslexia right now, but if anyone knows any good books about what spies and/or private investigators did back in the Regency and Peninsular Wars, that’d be very helpful *lol* (My next hero is a former spy, and I’d like to have an idea of what he did.. Most likely he was an Exploring Officer, but I’ve not been able to find many details so far).
I find a lot of good info online (though you’ll always want to double check it for authenticity, since not everything out there is correct), and then I’ll get books on the main areas I want to research.
Since I have a fairly good overview of the era by now, at the moment I tend to research just the specific things I’m looking for, or checking a certain thing that I’m uncertain about.
I’m sure I don’t do as much research as I could though *lol*
Emily
June 21st, 2006 at 1:02 pmI’ll start off by saying I’m lost in researching the Regency Era. Between the library and the internet I’m consider myself lucky (I think) to have so many research materials at my disposal. The problem is that I’m not sure where to start and what to look for. So I’m researching in small part, particular events I have planned for my story. The clothing and architecture of the era are also important to me.
How do the rest of you breakdown your research? Do you sit down to read an entire book on say, criminal justice system in Regency England? Or do you start off skimming the book for more specific info on this topic?
Thanks,
Isabel
In my personal library I got most of the books Andrea mentioned.
June 21st, 2006 at 9:16 pmGlad you reminded me. I do need to read a book about the criminal justice system in Regency England…I kid you not.
I guess I actually did sit down and read my Georgette Heyer book. And it was interesting because I learned a few things about tiny little details, like the difference between an estate manager and a steward, or the hierarchy of the household staff, that I didn’t know before. But usually I research something specific. Like dinner. Or the house layout.
OTOH, I do read from front to back my Shawnee books. This is because there are so many things I don’t know it just seems easier that way. Trying to decide what I need to know and then looking it up seems a little bit too open-ended for me. Wow, that kind of could be another one of my rules I was blogging about yesterday!
June 21st, 2006 at 9:30 pmI grew up studying castles, and castle life, the rules of chivalry and knights etc, which helps since I have been and will continue writing in Medieval times for now.
I personally don’t have reference books, but when I’m not sure on something or want general help I check the internet. I also have a friend of mine who is a librarina so she’s always willing to help out!
I do some research in the beginning, and then mostly incorporate it into the story as I go.
Michelle
June 21st, 2006 at 10:09 pmSadly, I haven’t bought any research books. I want to but everytime I go to the store I forget my list of books to buy. So most of my research (so far) has been via internet. Candice Hern’s site has been a big help and the other few things I researched were about pianos.
The main thing is, with me, I’m a fly by the seat of your pants writer so I didn’t even think of research when I began my story. Now I’m thinking I should write down an outline of sorts and make sure things fit with the time.
Happy writing everyone,
June 21st, 2006 at 11:33 pmhaven
As Emily stated, I also have The Prince of Pleasure and His Regency. Interesting book!
I guess I should consider Georgette Heyer’s Regency World as Lacey suggested. I’ve heard other people suggest it as well.
I’ve used the internet…especially Candice Hern’s website. Her website is awesome! I am ashamed to say that I just finished In the Thrill of the Night and I can’t for the life of me figure out why I waited so long! This book is fantastic!! I’m so looking forward to Just One of Those Flings on July 25.
Thanks ladies for all of your input!
June 22nd, 2006 at 9:28 amAndrea