Research

One of the Poetical Sketches of Scarborough: Twenty-one engravings on humorous subjects, coloured from original designs, made upon the spot by J. Green and etched by T Rowlandson. Published by R. Ackermann, 1818.
The Circulating Library in Scarborough around 1818
This week my accountability group is blogging about how we go about doing research for our books. Last week’s post on developing characters is also part of our How I Write series.

Market Research: I read voraciously in my chosen genre of Regency set Historical Romances. I read other genres too, but these are my favorites.

Setting Research: I’d love to be able to travel to England and visit all the places I read and write about. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen for a while. So, instead I use my honed skills of google-fu and live vicariously through other people’s first hand experiences and pictures. Besides music videos and stranger stuff, YouTube has a wide variety of obscure topics you can explore. For example, the restoration of Attingham Park can be found there. Another great resource is the Royal Society’s Archives which have been made permanently free.

Society & Culture Research: You can’t rely on other people’s fiction as a research source. You can however begin building your vocabulary and feel for the society from it. ALWAYS double or triple check anything you want to use with a reliable non-fiction source or you may find yourself embarrassed by a visit from some frustrated readers who know and care infinitely more than you do. That being said, there’s a wide selection of resources available on the web and through GoogleBooks available. I do have a few reference books on my shelf, but even then not all are created equal, be sure to read some reviews before you buy and rely on them.

Character Research: I LOVE to people watch. I’m more likely to be the one sitting back at a gathering watching other people instead of being anywhere near the center of attention. Human nature hasn’t changed that much in 200 years just the outer trappings and modern ideas about subjects like psychology might not be spouted by my historical characters, but it can be useful to explore their character. I think this is part of what is really meant by “write what you know” — not necessarily specific skills or places, though that can sure make life easier, but feelings, reactions, situations and the like. It brings a whole other level of authenticity to your writing.

One thing I do is try to keep all my internet research bookmarks in one handy place. If you’re interested in the Regency Era, my Regency Primer Series and my Regency Resource page probably has a lot of articles you’d find interesting and may even have read before. I keep a lot

YOUR TURN: Where do you do your research for whatever interests you? Do you head to the library and check out the books, fire up your browser and go surfing, or do you go directly to the source?

And if you’d like to read about how the rest of my group approaches their research, you can find their blogs here:

* Alexia Reed * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney *
* Angeleque Ford * Kimberly Farris *

6 thoughts on “Research”

  1. More excellent tips. My local library catalogue is usually my first port of call. I’ll also check online. I like to have several avenues supporting the same factoid if possible.

    1. Thanks, Shelley! Our local library never seems to have the books I want available — this is for the kids doing school reports too. =( I think your last bit about verifying facts in multiple sources is very important when it’s so easy to look things up on the net these days!

  2. Market Research: I read everything from everyone. I know it sounds like a lot of reading, but as writers how else do we grow? The market for any genre changes constantly and it’s my job to know that market.

    Setting Research: I’ve actually been lucky enough to live in the places I write about. I do make my info more current when writing.

    Society & Culture Research: I buy a certain amount of research type books, surf the web, and read everything I can get my hands on.

    Character Research:I go to the park, a restaurant, just about anywhere and watch people. I’ll put it all down on character worksheets so I’ll have it handy when creating new characters…these include flaws.

    1. Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Jo! What genre do you write? Sometimes I think contemporary would be easier, but I found it harder in some ways for me. Probably because I am so immersed in what I read. I bet your shelves look a lot like ours. Lots of them and very eclectic! =)

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