Comments | rj_anderson: Research Trips -- When?

rj_anderson

Research Trips -- When?

Mar 22, 2008 12:58

So let's say that you are writing a book set in some faraway and unfamiliar location, and you are seriously considering taking a trip over to said exotic locale for the purposes of research. You have approximately twelve months before the book is due in to your editor. (You also have three young children and a husband whose work has intensely busy ( Read more... )

wayfarer, research, polls

Comments 19

dichroic March 22 2008, 17:04:30 UTC

I think you should also say where in case any of us have been there and can answer questions!

rj_anderson March 22 2008, 17:07:44 UTC

Good point! I've added that info to the post now.

dichroic March 22 2008, 19:10:00 UTC

Are you acquainted with papersky (Jo Walton) or gallowglassSimon aka Three Silver Threads on piffle)? They'd be where I'd start, for Wales. Not a replacement for going yourself, but an addition.

alawston March 22 2008, 17:17:59 UTC

I suppose it would depend on the nature of the research needed. I personally avoid research like the plague, with little grey area between writing what I know and the utterly batshit crazy bits.

But if you find yourself in London, I'm generally available in the evenings and at weekends with a moderately useful local knowledge of a good chunk of the capital. And, more to the point, I know where the useful archives are located, and where one can find an excellent pint of real ale just round the corner.

rj_anderson March 22 2008, 17:26:39 UTC

Well, for this novel it's really the landscape/climate/flora and fauna I need to get a feel for -- it includes a journey from Kent to London to Cardigan Bay and back again, so I'd be bringing my camera and notebook and just generally paying attention to everything. Once in Wales I'd be doing a bit of research into some of the local legends, but I already have a pretty clear idea of which ones I want to use.

I appreciate the offer of assistance, in any case! We'll see what happens when/if the time comes...

snowrabbitses March 22 2008, 17:25:33 UTC

Oh, I just read the ending where you describe the location. I have a few different answers- keeping in mind this is from science-oriented research, but there is some common ground, IMHO.

CHOICES
1. If you feel you need some inspiration and there may be some questions about continuing the project, go in the development stage.

2. If you're able to do the first draft before the trip- I think this is the best choice.

Paying attention to all and sundry, trying to take everything in could be very overwhelming. The ability to narrow your focus to what you NEED to know while still taking in anything else of interest/inspiration would only come after the first draft I believe.

Probably the most important no matter when you go? Try to keep memories that months will enable you to close your eyes and be there- memories that are tactile, aural, EVERYTHING. Good for your writing and I think it'd help to remember why you're continuing the project during tough moments that are sure to come along.

rj_anderson March 22 2008, 17:28:52 UTC

Thanks, that's quite helpful. I've been leaning in the direction of #2 as well -- and now that I think of it, perhaps knowing that an Exciting Trip is in the offing when I'm done would give me some much-needed incentive to finish that first draft as well!

snowrabbitses March 22 2008, 17:32:12 UTC

Glad to be of assistance- and there's nothing wrong with a little bribery for getting good work done ;)

sollersuk March 22 2008, 18:37:48 UTC

If you do, be prepared to ditch large quantities of it; I've known people who hadn't grasped the sheer differentness of the US and the UK, particularly the hours of daylight - we're a long way north here! One of them discovered that the plot simply wouldn't work because things and conditions that he assumed existed didn't, but admittedly that was an extreme case. It would certainly be wise to try actual travel from Kent to Cardiff via London, though mode of transport would be very important - train would be a lot easier because of nasty things like congestion charges, not to mention actual congestion: it used to take me well over an hour to get from south east London to west London, and that was going round the edges.

faerie_writer March 22 2008, 17:28:02 UTC

I need to go to Florence but have no idea how I'm going to swing it. Pray, I guess. ;)

olmue March 22 2008, 17:59:33 UTC

Um. You're going WALES???? I am SO coming with you! I've had this Welsh thing since I was twelve, had a roommate in college who--by some amazing coincidence--shared it, and we petitioned the linguistics department to give us a semester of Welsh. Not that anybody speaks it much these days, and not that I remember any. But it sounds LOVELY ( ... )