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This has been a bit of a slow burn with me, something I'm aiming to do better at myself on particular subjects. No, I won't say which. Just know some are always ongoing. ^_^
Research.
At some point or another, every author will have to do some kind of research on a given subject in order to weave some fantastic tale. Stephen King researched how to steal construction equipment for a short story (then totally wrote it wrong so no one could actually, you know, steal construction equipment - I think it was a bulldozer. I know the story. I've read it. I just can't think of it right off the top of my head.) Fantasy authors delve into myths and legends and folklore, weaponsmithing, and armor. Crime writers consult with police and forensic experts (or at least watch enough shows, I surmise, like Forensic Files and other investigative shows into true crimes. Unless you're John Grisham. Then you just make a career switch.)
Even fanfiction authors have done some research here and there. I know of some writers for the series Gravitation that have researched as much as they could about Japanese culture and society and kept up with current events of the times in order to weave some fantastic stories. I've read some stories that did the barest of research on laws regarding gay marriage in particular parts of the U.S. but never delved further, resulting in quite the reader backlash. It's the one thing I feel safe in saying that gets harped upon by most every author out there and the value it holds.
Now doing the research itself isn't enough. It's also a matter of execution of the research and twisting in such a way that's engaging to the target audience (another area of research for authors). We can research our given subjects to the death. We can be that passionate about a subject! ^_^
When doing your research, don't half-bake yourself. It's going to be difficult enough as it is to not come across as preachy or in a droning monotone. The latest story I reviewed, the author did her research. I won't say that she didn't. However, she twisted things to suit her purpose without, at least in my opinion, sufficiently explaining why certain events played out the way that they did but maintain some sense of "faithfulness" to the Norse myths. For those who only skim the surface, the story is probably a great one.
To expand further, when choosing a genre and a setting, like Westerns, for example, know what types of weapons were used during any given time period. When writing a period/historical Romance, know the clothing styles and the rules of the society at the time. If you're writing about dinosaurs . . . you get the idea.
And it's a complaint any writer can expect to hear when playing fast and loose with the research. You can do so, but at your own risk. So I encourage my fellow writers to do the best that they can. Know your timeline. Know your setting. Most of all, know the story you want to tell. This will help you with your research.
Oh, and don't forget to ask why. Why is Character A turning against his compatriots? The more you ask questions (this is part of your research, after all), the more interesting your story will be.
Research.
At some point or another, every author will have to do some kind of research on a given subject in order to weave some fantastic tale. Stephen King researched how to steal construction equipment for a short story (then totally wrote it wrong so no one could actually, you know, steal construction equipment - I think it was a bulldozer. I know the story. I've read it. I just can't think of it right off the top of my head.) Fantasy authors delve into myths and legends and folklore, weaponsmithing, and armor. Crime writers consult with police and forensic experts (or at least watch enough shows, I surmise, like Forensic Files and other investigative shows into true crimes. Unless you're John Grisham. Then you just make a career switch.)
Even fanfiction authors have done some research here and there. I know of some writers for the series Gravitation that have researched as much as they could about Japanese culture and society and kept up with current events of the times in order to weave some fantastic stories. I've read some stories that did the barest of research on laws regarding gay marriage in particular parts of the U.S. but never delved further, resulting in quite the reader backlash. It's the one thing I feel safe in saying that gets harped upon by most every author out there and the value it holds.
Now doing the research itself isn't enough. It's also a matter of execution of the research and twisting in such a way that's engaging to the target audience (another area of research for authors). We can research our given subjects to the death. We can be that passionate about a subject! ^_^
When doing your research, don't half-bake yourself. It's going to be difficult enough as it is to not come across as preachy or in a droning monotone. The latest story I reviewed, the author did her research. I won't say that she didn't. However, she twisted things to suit her purpose without, at least in my opinion, sufficiently explaining why certain events played out the way that they did but maintain some sense of "faithfulness" to the Norse myths. For those who only skim the surface, the story is probably a great one.
To expand further, when choosing a genre and a setting, like Westerns, for example, know what types of weapons were used during any given time period. When writing a period/historical Romance, know the clothing styles and the rules of the society at the time. If you're writing about dinosaurs . . . you get the idea.
And it's a complaint any writer can expect to hear when playing fast and loose with the research. You can do so, but at your own risk. So I encourage my fellow writers to do the best that they can. Know your timeline. Know your setting. Most of all, know the story you want to tell. This will help you with your research.
Oh, and don't forget to ask why. Why is Character A turning against his compatriots? The more you ask questions (this is part of your research, after all), the more interesting your story will be.
