Back in the Saddle -- Well, in Terms of Research, Anyway

[rusty_armour]

It's been weeks, but I slowly seem to be returning to research mode and gathering information for my original fiction project. As unlikely as it might seem, the impetus I needed came from a wonderful DVD called The Search for Sherlock Holmes. Throughout the various interviews conducted by David Hayman (who you might remember from Hope and Glory), the idea of the nineteenth century being a kind of new literary frontier kept cropping up. Not only were more people reading fiction, but writers were exploring exciting and innovative topics. I was struck in particular by what Stephen Fry had to say about the paranormal and the way in which writers, such as Oscar Wilde (in The Picture of Dorian Gray) were utilizing the subject in their work. It made me think of my own paranormal concept and I was suddenly enthusiastic again about researching and developing my idea.

Okay, I'll admit that I got off to a slow start. Other than doing a tiny bit of reading last night, I only managed to pick a surname for one of the main characters. I've known what his Christian name would be for ages because I'm naming him after my maternal grandfather, but I hadn't done any name research beyond that. Today has been better, though I'm starting to suffer from brain melt because I've been trying to understand the science behind such things as Tesla coils and Van de Graaff generators -- and how I might be able to apply similar technology to the crazy experiment I've envisioned.

This kind of research might seem like an excuse for not writing (and maybe it is), but until I get some of these details fixed in my mind I won't be able to write. For example, if I don't find the experiment at least semi-plausible, I really can't expect anyone else to either and, so, I'd rather keep researching and brainstorming for the time being. It will all come together eventually -- one way or another.

Comments

[anitamaid.livejournal.com]

Hey you need a researcher...
I need to come over soon ;-D

Seriously, this sounds really exciting! And I really hope you get things to work out!

[anitamaid.livejournal.com]

REmember you can always try and ask if there's anything you think I might be able to answer!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'll keep your research offer in mind. Thanks again, anitamaid. :-)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks, anitamaid. I'm glad it sounds exciting and not excruciatingly boring. *g* I'm very stubborn, so I'm sure I'll find a way to get things to work out. Actually, even if my one idea doesn't work out, I'll still be pursuing the project. I would just have to re-think the main paranormal element.

[lazigyrl.livejournal.com]

If it gets you charged up about developing your idea then it was good research and not just writing delays in disguise. :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks for saying that, lazigyrl. :-) I'm glad you don't think it's just a delay tactic in disguise. And I honestly think the research has got me charged up about developing my idea.

[2ndskin.livejournal.com]

So so excited for you--research IS writing--because the little snippets of things that you write down as interesting or valuable as you're researching will end up either as text or subtext in your novel. Truly! And you're sure to get more and more excited about the story as you learn the stuff that needs to form the structure, major or minor details, etc. Wooohoooo! Onward in 2011!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful description of the research process! Thanks, blooms84! :-) I hadn't really thought of it before, but you're absolutely right, of course. Research is writing. As you say, all of those snippets of information do end up being valuable as either text or subtext. I have to confess that this project is both exciting and scary. However, I've grown a bit more confident after doing some research and nailing down even minor details. This will be the year I start writing the damn thing. Definitely onward in 2011!

[boobamiaow.livejournal.com]

Well research is vitally important. If,as you say, the experiement has no sense or plausability then it can kind of throw the whole book off (at least it would for me). I know we all suspend disbelief when reading/watching fiction, but it has to at least make some sense ;p

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

That's exactly what I believe, boobamiaow. I think some research is always required, even if you're dealing with a subject you know really well. And I think a concept has to make sense or be semi-plausible in order for people to suspend disbelief in the first place. I mean, you can think that something (e.g. a Stargate) will probably never exist. However, you might believe that something like that could at least be possible if we ever leapt that far in terms of scientific advances, etc.

[karen9.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that you find yourself returning to research mode and becoming enthusiastic again. It's great that you've found a source of information and inspiration in the DVD.

I admire you for trying to understand the science. I know my brain would melt!

The experiment is obviously central to your plot, so you have to do research before starting to write. You're not prevaricating!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that you find yourself returning to research mode and becoming enthusiastic again. It's great that you've found a source of information and inspiration in the DVD.

Thanks, karen9. :-) I think that's the problem with taking a break from something like this: it's hard to go back sometimes. It's not just the work involved but those moments of self-doubt in which you question whether your writing project is worthwhile or if you're just wasting your time. Anyway, that DVD did help me become enthusiastic again and push my fears aside.

I admire you for trying to understand the science. I know my brain would melt!

To be honest, I'll probably never understand the science -- not completely, anyway. My brain just isn't equipped for it. Thankfully, I don't think it's necessary for me to have a complete understanding. However, I need to learn enough for certain characters to seem knowledgeable and sound as if they know what they're talking about. *g*

The experiment is obviously central to your plot, so you have to do research before starting to write. You're not prevaricating!

I'm glad you don't think I'm prevaricating. Yes, the experiment is central to the plot. At one point I thought I could still write a story using the major characters and the same setting (especially as this is probably the fourth or fifth incarnation of my original idea) if I couldn't get the experiment to work. However, there are themes I could explore if I go with the experiment and this version of my idea is the one I keep returning to and the one I think will work best.

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

Excitement is...well...exciting. I am truly happy for you because I know how important it is for writing. Research is an absolute necessity. I'm very lucky. I just turn to hubby and ask questions. He explains in terms I can understand (not quite layman) and helps me determine if some weird thing I've thought up might be plausible. He also tells me when I'm full of.... As writers, all we need to worry about is plausibility, not practicality. I'm pleased that the science hasn't scared you off. A lot of people find it an insurmountable obstacle. Kudos to you.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I have to confess that I haven't managed to get any research done today, though maybe I'll manage to squeeze in a tiny bit tonight. Anywaaaaay, it's great that you see research as an absolute necessity. And it must be nice to receive answers to your questions in terms you can understand. My fear is that my idea is totally ridiculous, which is why I've been exploring different ways in which such a concept might be plausible. Sometimes, I'm surprised that the science hasn't scared me off. However, I'm stubborn and I can wrap my head around certain things if I work hard at it and really want to understand. Still...I couldn't have picked a project with easier research topics. Oh, no. As usual, I had to make life more complicated for myself. *g*

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

Don't fret about picking a project with easier research topics. For the most part, they don't exist. Those that do exist are boring as h e double-hockey-sticks.

I don't get into really sophisticated ideas, so all I need from hubby is a yea or nay on whether something is potentially plausible or completely ludicrous. For example, I needed an invention that would make someone incredibly wealthy. Rather than going into tremendous detail it came down to him creating a simple process that generates vast amounts of clean energy from granite. Yup, the Canadian Shield is a huge energy resource in my story. As it's a romance, the science is secondary and nobody wants to get in too deep. (Thank heavens.) The bonus is that his invention happens before the story starts so I don't have to explain it. Wow! That was really good planning...except it wasn't planned. *chuckle*

Do whatever research you need, but don't let it consume you. All you require is enough to get the buzzwords right and to be somewhat plausible. You're not writing a scientific thesis.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Don't fret about picking a project with easier research topics. For the most part, they don't exist. Those that do exist are boring as h e double-hockey-sticks.

That's so true. There really is no such thing as an easier research topic -- nothing that's really interesting, anyway. Besides, a more challenging research project forces a writer to stretch herself a little and is more satisfying in the end.

I don't get into really sophisticated ideas, so all I need from hubby is a yea or nay on whether something is potentially plausible or completely ludicrous. For example, I needed an invention that would make someone incredibly wealthy. Rather than going into tremendous detail it came down to him creating a simple process that generates vast amounts of clean energy from granite. Yup, the Canadian Shield is a huge energy resource in my story. As it's a romance, the science is secondary and nobody wants to get in too deep. (Thank heavens.) The bonus is that his invention happens before the story starts so I don't have to explain it. Wow! That was really good planning...except it wasn't planned. *chuckle*

That's a fabulous example of how to generate a great idea and implement it in a really smart way! And it makes sense that you wouldn't worry about explaining the science if you're basically creating a back story for why your hero is so wealthy. Although it wasn't planned, it was a wonderful bit of luck that the science happened before the events of your story.

Do whatever research you need, but don't let it consume you. All you require is enough to get the buzzwords right and to be somewhat plausible. You're not writing a scientific thesis.

Great advice once again, especially as I do have a habit of including more details than I need after doing research. As you say, it's the buzzwords that are important.

[bakerybard.livejournal.com]

As an occasional writer/friend of mine once noted, research and character development are NOT "not writing." VACUUMING is not writing. :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

LOL! Excellent point, bakerybard! *g* Happy New Year btw! I hope you had a great Christmas and 2010 ended well! :-)

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

LOL. That explains why my apartment is a disaster and my writing is improving. Thanks for the reminders about setting appropriate priorities.

[funkyinfishnet.livejournal.com]

*cheers and encourages you* Glad to hear you've started dipping your toe into research and that stuff's starting coming together. That's awesome for you :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much, funkyinfishnet. It's a slow process (mostly because other things keep getting in the way), but I'm getting there. :-)

[tazzles.livejournal.com]

This all sounds so intriguing. I look forward to hearing more about this.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks, tazzles! :-) I'm glad it sounds "intriguing" as opposed to "strange" or "bizarre". Actually, if you heard the premise, you might end up using those other adjectives instead of "intriguing". *g*