Time Flies When You're Doing Research
Time flies no matter what you're doing, doesn't it? By the way, Debra won my August contest. See, that proves my point. Here it is the middle of September and I just now remembered to mention last month's winner--although I contacted her and mailed her book on time.
Back to research. Recently, I was researching facts for the cozy mystery that's the second in what I hope will sell as a series. I love roses and gardens, and I'm enjoying delving into renewing an historic garden. A friend loaned me a book by Rosamund Wallinger on her experiences restoring a garden by famous Edwardian designer, GERTUDE JEKYLL'S LOST GARDEN. Wouldn't it be a remarkable experience to buy an old home and then learn you had a famous gem of a garden hidden under brush and weeds? Of course, in my cozy, landscape designer and heroine Laurel Aldridge finds a recent skeleton in the garden to complicate matters. In real life, Rosamund didn't have that problem, but she spent years redoing her home's garden. The photos are lovely and her experiences interesting.
Research always fascinates me. I have to discipline myself or I find too many tangents that don't apply to my writing, but that are interesting nonetheless. I could waste days, probably weeks, on research--especially, since I have dial-up because DSL is not yet available in the boonies where we live. At best, dial-up makes web use so ssslllooowww! My husband and I keep hoping technology makes it to our little kingdom soon.
I digress. There are many avenues available for fast research. One my youngest daughter suggested is the use of children's books. They present a quick overview with simple explanations easily scanned for relevant details. There are unbelievable children's books on any imaginable subject.
Another resource is the worldwide web, convenient because it's always waiting for us at the click of a mouse. But those facts need to be double-checked for accuracy. For instance, there are websites which claim space exploration is a trick to justify raising taxes and has never taken place. You can bet my areospace engineer/rocket scientist hubby gets very upset--and puzzled--by that claim!
My point is that research is fascinating, but writers must verify our facts. Ask enough questions. Never take anything for granted without cross checking. Then, those tiny details hidden in our work will enrich the story without distracting readers.
Back to research. Recently, I was researching facts for the cozy mystery that's the second in what I hope will sell as a series. I love roses and gardens, and I'm enjoying delving into renewing an historic garden. A friend loaned me a book by Rosamund Wallinger on her experiences restoring a garden by famous Edwardian designer, GERTUDE JEKYLL'S LOST GARDEN. Wouldn't it be a remarkable experience to buy an old home and then learn you had a famous gem of a garden hidden under brush and weeds? Of course, in my cozy, landscape designer and heroine Laurel Aldridge finds a recent skeleton in the garden to complicate matters. In real life, Rosamund didn't have that problem, but she spent years redoing her home's garden. The photos are lovely and her experiences interesting.
Research always fascinates me. I have to discipline myself or I find too many tangents that don't apply to my writing, but that are interesting nonetheless. I could waste days, probably weeks, on research--especially, since I have dial-up because DSL is not yet available in the boonies where we live. At best, dial-up makes web use so ssslllooowww! My husband and I keep hoping technology makes it to our little kingdom soon.
I digress. There are many avenues available for fast research. One my youngest daughter suggested is the use of children's books. They present a quick overview with simple explanations easily scanned for relevant details. There are unbelievable children's books on any imaginable subject.
Another resource is the worldwide web, convenient because it's always waiting for us at the click of a mouse. But those facts need to be double-checked for accuracy. For instance, there are websites which claim space exploration is a trick to justify raising taxes and has never taken place. You can bet my areospace engineer/rocket scientist hubby gets very upset--and puzzled--by that claim!
My point is that research is fascinating, but writers must verify our facts. Ask enough questions. Never take anything for granted without cross checking. Then, those tiny details hidden in our work will enrich the story without distracting readers.
posted by Caroline Clemmons @ 7:01 PM
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