I’m loving the posts about researching pictures for characters. I normally write a few chapters first and then start looking for images to help me visualize the people I’m creating. Sometimes it works and I find that perfect photo. But sometimes it doesn’t and I’m left all to my own imagination. Not sure which I prefer.
When I started writing my first story years ago, I didn’t know the first thing about researching anything. Where to look, how to dig, what questions to ask. Now that I’ve got a few years under my belt, I’m discovering all kinds of new avenues to explore in order make the details in my stories as real as they can be and still keep the readers interested. Let’s face it. Real life facts can get kinda boring.
I read books for the storyline and entertainment. I want to be swept away from the chaos of daily routines and learn about new things and new places I might never visit in my lifetime. That’s what I love about fiction. You can travel around the world. Experience feelings and situations you may not run across in your little part of the world. And you can do it all from the safety of your favorite private reading spot, or heck, right out in the open if you like. LOL
We had a great speaker from the FBI at our local RWA chapter meeting on Saturday. Wow! I was intrigued from the moment he started talking. His background alone had my brain going ninety miles an hour conjuring up all kinds of new storylines. Drug runners, gangs and what their tattoos mean, kidnappings, human trafficking, bombs. I’ve never been good at interviewing people, but just knowing someone from the FBI would be so cooperative makes the idea less intimidating. I have so many questions about my current WIP. Poor guy doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into. LOL You see most of the hero’s in my manuscripts are FBI agents or were once upon a time. I’ll be doing lots more research, digging deeper and really fleshing out my hero’s character. It’s exciting. This will add an extra layer to my story I hadn’t thought of before and it will make it so much stronger and believable in the end.
How do you feel about the research part? Do you like it? Do you research from the beginning or wait till you get the story finished like me?
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Research is the fun part! Learning something new, or figuring out how something really works, is always enjoyable.
Characters photos are, for me, crucial. Until I can “see” the characters, not a lot happens. Thank heavens for Google Images…:)
I agree, Will! This is so much fun! It’s not like school at all, is it? LOL I hated that kind of research.
Google Rocks!!!
I like to research – being an English and history major, I think it’s in my blood. Learning about new places excites me – and I do like having a picture of the place. Still not sure about the pics of characters – don’t know if I want to tie myself down with that, but it’s something to think about.
I like to do enough research to keep me writing. Detailed stuff slows progess and I can dig out that info during edits when I don’t have the umph to stare at my own words for the hundreth time.
So far most of my writing has involved further research into something I know about already. One of the most fun parts was wandering around the North End of Boston. My daughter used to live there, so I knew about her section (Hanover Street, which is the main drag) but I had a wonderful time just wandering around the twisting roads and alleys. That and appreciating the real old-timers, generally old Italian men and women just sitting outside, watching the world go past. Unfortunately it’s getting to be too popular, with new condos, apts., etc. so how long will they be able to afford to live there?
Interrupting this thread for personal business —
–Beppie, did you get my e-mail? –k, thanks, back to your scheduled program.
Amy, pictures of places, now that’s something I haven’t thought about. Great idea! I try to go by memory and that’s not always a good idea. LOL Do you take pictures of your own or search for them? I love taking pictures! Oh yeah! A new idea! I can see this being lots of fun!
I’m with you Keri. To many details stops me in my tracks. Now that I’m working on the edits, I can research without losing that creative spark.
LOL on the interrupting! I’m still giggling!!
Beppie, what a wonderful place! I’ve never been to Boston. I love researching history. But to be able to walk along the streets and experience it first hand, wow!
Research isn’t my favorite part at all. I want to just sit down and write the book. Which is why I’m not thinking I’ll ever write an historical. Love them, but OMG, lot’s of research.
Your chapter meeting sounded like it was great. I love when we have someone in that type of field.
I know what you mean, Vicki! I really love learning about history, but I don’t think I could write one. That would mean tons of research for me in the beginning and my creative spark or muse doesn’t like writing inside the lines. LOL
Hey Missy!
That FBI agent was easy on the eyes, too. Wasn’t he. And he had a great sense of humor. What more could we ask for?
Research can be so much fun. Think of all the exciting places to visit, the interesting things to learn and the experinece in knowledge itself.
Great post, girl!!
I love to research. I have the internet, book references, people with the same careers as my hero and heroine to talk to, and many other things. It is fun! It gets me more involved in my story =)
You’re so right, Jenn! What more could we ask for!
I’m hoping we didn’t scare him and he’ll agree to come back. LOL
Jamie, I agree. It’s exciting discovering those pieces, no matter how big or how small, that make my story stronger. The internet is amazing! What did they do without it? LOL