Last week, I stated on twitter that I easily do ten hours of research for every one hour of actual writing. I wasn’t surprised that I heard from six other historical writers that said, ‘yes, that’s about right.’ I also heard from another half dozen writers in various genres who basically said, ‘you must be out of your mind.’ You do have to enjoy your subject and enjoy research in general. You also have to be willing to tuck 90% of what you learned into the Trivial Pursuit folder in your mind, because hours of research may give you one great chapter-or one great paragraph-or just one great line.
But here’s a secret. Researching can be a lot of fun. (Shh... Don’t tell, or everyone will start doing it.)
My dive buddy---I had the camera |
Boxing night at the Hard Rock |
Not a zoomed photo |
I write about the prostitutes who worked behind the Railroad Pass Casino in 1931. The small shacks are long gone, but I felt I needed to walk the path from the casino that led to 'Whore Row'. How far was it? What was the view from there? I’m not unfamiliar with walking in the desert and I usually find something interesting that I didn’t expect. Yes, I found the proverbial dead body in the desert that day.
(Sorry, no picture. The Coroner wasn’t thrilled that I asked.)
My most recent adventure? What I call ‘eating rocks.’ I am currently working with Craig Childs, possibly the greatest nature/adventure writer of our time, a man who the New York Times calls “a modern-day desert father.” He bleeds sand and cries cactus juice. He suggested that I ‘taste the desert’, or at least the area near Lake Mead where my story takes place. Be a part of the landscape. Put a river rock in my mouth and see what it feels like.
I was hesitant, even though I knew it would involve a day at the lake, which is hard to say no to. And Craig is brilliant and hasn’t steered me wrong yet. So I did it.
What happened? I will leave that for my protagonist to explain.
In the meantime, check out the 'modern-day desert father' Craig Childs at his website:
9 comments:
I enjoyed this very much. You show that research can be fun if you step away from the computer and get out among nature, like you, and the desert father, Craig Childs.
Love it Kelly! You know I'm all about the texture of things. I wonder if a river rock tastes different than a desert rock...
You just had to suggest that, didn't you? If Craig sees that, he'll have me out sucking on rocks all over the country.
Amazing! That is the kind of research I love to do, but it can require money and since I can barely afford rent and food... story of my life. So for now, at least; I will have to hope others have experienced the things I am writing about and are willing to answer my e-mails. However, if it's something around town... :)
Love this post.
I'm afraid of that diving stuff ... I must look like a bachanal to sharks. Can one substitute pebbles on pizza for rocks? Really looking forward to the read on this novel, Kellinator.
Wow, you go all out in your research...don't worry I'll bring some pacific coast rocks to the rock tasting party (hot sauce?)...
All rocks welcome. We could line up rocks from across the globe and see if Mr. Childs can identify them by taste.
Wow. This was fascinating. I guess when we hear the word research we have such boring associations that it's difficult to move past it. But there are fun aspects of research. Totally boss! I wanna taste a river rock now!
I don't understand why writers of other genres scorn you. I write historical novels and fantasy and I research about the same amount of time for either genre. In fantasy I just call it world building. A different label for the same stuff: getting to know my world, my setting.
Lovely article.
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