Lately I have found myself doing a lot more research and learning about new things. Why you ask? Well for the books I'm writing. I have been spending more time buried with my head in all different types of books. From learning Latin, to legends, mythology and so much more.Writing a book isn't always just sitting down and getting the words onto a page. Sometimes you have to do leg work or book work to get the facts straight. My adventure in the research department started with old fashioned leg work. Last year I spent the day at a strip club hanging out with exotic dancers. Yeah it was fun and interesting. I wanted to get all my information correct and get the feel of what it's like in that occupation.
It's not fun when you read a book and stumble across some facts that are not true or incorrect. Even more so when you know that they are wrong. You have to get things right. That's where the task of researching comes into play.
I know that not everybody likes to do research because it is time consuming and takes you away from writing the actual book but for me personally I really enjoy it.
A few days ago I had stopped off my at my local book store and found a huge dictionary called The Dictionary of Mythology An A-Z of Themes, Legends And Heroes. The book is 1139 pages long and is filled with amazing things that are inspiring. I have been enjoying reading up on all the things I didn't know, and it's getting my muse kicking with new book ideas.
It is really coming in handy especially for the series I am working on. It deals with Greek Gods and paranormal aspects.
I want to know are you a fan of research or is it something you would rather not want to do? For the readers, do you like books that have facts in them or would you rather read a book with non of those things?
It's not fun when you read a book and stumble across some facts that are not true or incorrect. Even more so when you know that they are wrong. You have to get things right. That's where the task of researching comes into play.
I know that not everybody likes to do research because it is time consuming and takes you away from writing the actual book but for me personally I really enjoy it.
A few days ago I had stopped off my at my local book store and found a huge dictionary called The Dictionary of Mythology An A-Z of Themes, Legends And Heroes. The book is 1139 pages long and is filled with amazing things that are inspiring. I have been enjoying reading up on all the things I didn't know, and it's getting my muse kicking with new book ideas.
It is really coming in handy especially for the series I am working on. It deals with Greek Gods and paranormal aspects.
I want to know are you a fan of research or is it something you would rather not want to do? For the readers, do you like books that have facts in them or would you rather read a book with non of those things?
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Bid For Love now at Dark Eden Press
Love Is More Dangerous Than Revenge coming July 15,2008 Dark Eden Press
Special Delivery coming September 15, 2008 Dark Eden Press
13 comments:
I don't like a lot of research, but there are times when I run across facts that simply intrigue me and I am forced to read more.
I know how much you enjoy research and I love the way you do it. Going to a strip club...that's so kewl.
Did you see any hot hunks in there?
I saw some hunks but they were not dancing, I should have said the strippers were ladies...
My next trip is to hang out with the firefighters. I went by the station near my house and they are happy to help me out. Just have to tell them when...This is one thing I'm really looking forward to....
Hi, Savannah! I do love to do my research. I love to learn when I read, and if I can pass information along in an entertaining way I think readers might enjoy my stories more for it.
I have shelves full of books I've picked up for research and binders full of stuff I've printed off the internet. For a while I when to antique stores and looked through all the old books for ideas. I have a couple of really cool old volumes that I've grabbed information from to use in my stories.
I'm currently interested in little known facts about seashells, so if anyone reading this comes across anything like that, please let me know! :)
Wendi Darlin
Thats interesting, if I do come across anything I will make sure to send it your way...My book shelf is filling up very fast....and I love it
Great blog, Savannah! I've been writing for 15 yrs. and began with regency set historicals. Talk about RESEARCH!!! Things are much easier now with the internet but believe me...I have tons of research books.
Well I have to admit when I read a book and it's totally off it throws me. Now if it fictional thats okay but I read one based in Vegas and was thinking come on! I don't think I finished it. But I don't like to much research than it's blah blah blah. What can I say I can never make my mind up about anything. LOL.
Although I o agree with Tess on your rearching strip clubs, yummy! Good one there. Aww what we do to write! LOL!
I love doing research- in fact at times I get so caught up that I end up spending far too much time and get lots more facts and info than I need. It gives me a break from writing. I have to have variety!
Kissa Starling
Research can give you a big reboot...I love the fact that it gets the ideas swirling around in my head.....
Great blog, Savannah! Both of us love doing research - sometimes on line, often when we're traveling, and recently we've gotten interested in the Great Courses videos. We watched a fabulous series on French Impressionist art that inspired a couple upcoming works. You are so right, it really matters to get things right, at least to us. So we research things we're interested in or curious about and then the plot ideas just start flowing and we're launched!
Adriana
http://www.adrianakraft.com
The thing most writers forget about is that the books they purchase for writing related material are TAX WRITE OFFS!
GOod post my polish princess :)
Sascha Illyvich
http://saschai.literalseductions.net
It depends on what I am researching. Some of it I enjoy, some not so much. I'm considering writing a BDSM book and since I only know the basics it will require research, darn the luck!
I try to write about things I know at least a minimum about to start with, and that way I can do a little research without burning myself out.
Research isn't my favorite thing, but if its an interesting topic I enjoy it.
Hi Lovely Savannah,
I like you, adore research. It is my favorite thing to do. Since most of my books are set in Hawaii, I strive for total authenticity. Nothing puts me off more than poor research in a book. For example, you will never find my characters having hot sex on a secluded Hawaiian beach with seagulls soaring overhead...there are no seagulls in Hawaii! have fun with those fire fighters, darlin'!
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