120624: Research!

[msmcknittington]

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?

Poll #10942

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 5

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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

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

Comments

[0jack]

ON KILLING and ON COMBAT by Dave Grossman are top of the list. Really good. The website, onviolence.com, is not affiliated but is brilliant and includes exceptionally good reviews of military fiction/movies.

I am a big fan of old school agricultural magazines and pamphlets. :) I love collecting DIY stuff of all kinds. What you learn applies anywhere you've got humans trying to get by.

[msmcknittington]

Thank you! My library actually has On Killing in the ebook collection, so yay. I'd bet On Combat is in their regular collection, too.

Old textbooks are really great for gathering info, too. I have a secretarial textbook from the '30s which is full of all sorts of weird and slightly fantastic office equipment that has been made obsolete by photocopiers and printers. It's almost otherworldly.