msmcknittington (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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ficdaily2012-06-24 05:31 pm
msmcknittington) wrote in ficdaily2012-06-24 05:31 pm
120624: Research!
I love research, to the point where I wonder if the hobbies I have aren't just excuses to do some. Sometimes this research takes the form of doing nothing but looking at pictures -- hence the ridiculous number of pictures of Idaho and Montana I have looked at for one of my projects, as illustrated by exhibit A to the left. It really makes me want to pick up and visit those states, just so I can experience what living in an area like that is and can describe it all the more vividly.Which leads me to the question for today: What lengths have you gone to for research? Have you ever traveled to do research? Done hands-on activities to get a feel for them, like taking martial arts classes to help develop your characters' kickassery? Eaten something unusual for the experience? Interviewed someone for their expertise on a subject? Do you think this is a valuable and useful method of doing research, or is it the equivalent of a overly dedicated method actor who never breaks character, even in the shower?
Do you ever look in non-intuitive sources for useful information? For example, I am reading Julia Child's My Life in France for information about the experience of being part of a foreign embassy. I don't think Julia Child is a source that most people turn to when writing sci-fi!
Or do your characters' skills and knowledge grow from what you already know and are familiar with? Do you never go out of your way for research?
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 5
Today's original fiction work included:
View Answers
adding to my word count
4 (80.0%)
research, world building, character development
2 (40.0%)
plotting, outlining, rough notes
1 (20.0%)
discussing or writing about my WIP
0 (0.0%)
daydreaming or working in my head
0 (0.0%)
editing my original fiction
1 (20.0%)
meta: reading about, writing about, or discussing writing
0 (0.0%)
meta: queries, submissions, contracts, taxes, etc.
0 (0.0%)
things external to but necessary for writing (sorting, filing, cleaning)
1 (20.0%)
something I will share in comments
1 (20.0%)
none of the above and that's okay
1 (20.0%)
none of the above and I need help/advice/hugs in comments
0 (0.0%)
How did you do in terms of meeting your goals today?
View Answers
Mean: 6.75 Median: 6.5 Std. Dev 2.38
Mean: 6.75 Median: 6.5 Std. Dev 2.38
| Don't ask! 1 | 0 (0.0%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 (0.0%) | |
| 3 | 0 (0.0%) | |
| 4 | 1 (25.0%) | |
| 5 | 1 (25.0%) | |
| 6 | 0 (0.0%) | |
| 7 | 0 (0.0%) | |
| 8 | 1 (25.0%) | |
| 9 | 0 (0.0%) | |
| I would like a trophy! 10 | 1 (25.0%) |
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Photo source: Ben Earwicker, http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1086686
Photo source: Ben Earwicker, http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1086686
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