Blogger: Michelle Ule, writing for Janet who is at the International Christian Retailers Show this week.
I have a novel sitting on the sidelines, about a third done, while I work on other projects. The novel takes place eighteen months after the end of the First Gulf War and is about a navy widow who moves back to the greater Los Angeles area with her children—“executing the plan,” in military wife parlance. She takes a part-time job as a researcher for a college newspaper pal/would-be lover, and the story proceeds from there.
The writing was going very well until my heroine’s first day of work when I had to ask myself, “How did you do research in 1993?”In the years prior to the Internet, just how would she have done her job?
Fortunately for me, I wrote a book for my maternal grandfather’s 100th birthday in 1990 that required extensive research. I wrote another book about my paternal grandmother in 1995 that also sent me to the research libraries, so I remembered what I did back in that filmy darkness of time.
One thing hasn’t changed since then: the four basic steps of research.
1. Interview people
Trained as a journalist, I’m used to calling people and asking questions. This should be, however, a basic component of all research. Talk to people who either lived through the experience (particularly for a contemporary story) or who are experts on the subject. Do your basic research beforehand so you don’t waste their time. Ask people what they think or what they know about whatever you’re writing about. I always review the Five Ws: Who, What, When, Where, Why, as well as How?
In the case of my novel, I know a newspaper reporter who has worked for more than 25 years in Los Angeles. I asked her how she did her job back then—remembering we used to have something called “the morgue,” where the newspaper librarian meticulously “scrapbooked” all the issues of the newspaper.
She confirmed that’s exactly where my heroine would have started.
2. Read books on your subject
How do you find those books and magazine articles? Since we have the Internet, I’d start there with a basic google search, but the library is often where I do a lot of my research. Card catalogues, which in most libraries I’ve visited in the last 20 years are all digitalized, can point you to specific titles and subjects. Amazon.com is an excellent resource—I usually examine the list of books in reverse order of publication—newest first. Google books also can turn up extraordinary resources, and because their books are digitized, you can search the data bank to find references to your subject matter.
3. Read articles on your subject
Historians will tell you primary resources are always the best ones for historical accuracy. All sorts of magazines are available online or through searchable databases. Some databases only can be accessed through university libraries such as JSTOR or Proquest. Some public library systems have the necessary subscriptions, and you can access information through them. Our local Sonoma State University Library (The Charles M. and Jean Schultz library, with a book requesting system called Snoopy) has an entire notebook full of accessible databases, including master’s theses and PhD dissertations. Not to mention all the microfilm and microfiche.
Magazines are important not only for their articles, but also for their ads. Walkmans were a big item in 1993, for example. That helped put me in the proper technology frame to write my story.
4. Ask a librarian
The two most frequent questions asked of librarians are “Where is the restroom?” and “Where is the copy machine?” These educated people are extraordinary resources who seldom are given a really meaty project to tackle. Make use of them—they can be your best friend.
I’ve had librarians pull up material I never would have dreamed of, much less known where to look. They can point you in specific directions, access Inter-Library-Loan on your behalf, and save materials for you. They also know how to work the microfilm machine and may have seen information about your subject somewhere else. Invaluable.
My novel is still not done, but I’ve been looking through my own personal albums, tripping down memory lane with some of my (older) friends, and reviewing movies and documentaries from that time period. Memoirs are helpful, as are old newspapers. It’s all valuable when you’re doing basic research.
What tools have you used in your research? What unexpected resource has been helpful? Where would you look for information about 1993 Los Angeles?
And, before what year do you think we should designate a novel as historical?
Jennifer Major
I’ve used Google and the public library. Since my book is set in 1864-1896 Arizona and involves the Navajo, I needed some serious insight, stuff NOT found in the history books.
The old adage “history is written by those who won the war” is rather true in the case of Native American history, I really needed some help.
It’s funny how God sets things before us and we have no idea what He is doing until the WOW! moment is upon us. My friend Karen is Native American and I asked her in January if she knew anything about Navajo history.
She’s one of those people who appear to be quiet and shy. Her response to me was:
“Well, I might know something…”
Long story short, I leave Thursday for a guided road trip through the Navajo Nation.
God is SO good and SO merciful, there is absolutely NO WAY I could arrange this trip on my own.
Ann Bracken, one of the usual suspects/miscreants who comments here also put me in touch with some people who might know a thing or 2 about Navajo history.
It’s nice to have a Friend in high places.
As for LA history, check out the college and high school archives.
As for what year a novel becomes historical, I’d say WW2 and earlier.
Michelle Ule
I’m so glad you get a chance to visit the site of your story, Jennifer. No matter how much we read, think, and examine, being in the spot brings your story alive both to you and your readers. Have a terrific trip!
Heather Day Gilbert
I’m very excited that Navajo history is making its way into the CBA. We need more stuff covering native Americans and their struggles in this country! Although the natives in my book are kinda mean…sorry about that, Jennifer!
Jennifer Major
Aw that’s okay. 😉
I feel very priviledged to open this door and I hope to do honour to those who’ve had no voice in CBA so far.
Bill Giovannetti
Research on the Internet seems a mile wide and an inch deep. It’s the old fashioned digging that unearths the diamonds. Good post. Thanks, Michelle.
Michelle Ule
And it’s the digging that turns up the nuggets that reflect true gold rather than fool’s gold. As a reader, I can spot the researcher who did her/his homework within the first couple pages.
Sarah Thomas
I’m eager to hear opinions on what timeframe makes a novel historical. I have one set in 1954 and I’ve had agents and editors go both ways on me!
Michelle Ule
I’d say you’re right on the cusp–I just don’t know on what side of the cusp! Probably historical if it’s a Korean War story, maybe not if it’s a stateside tale.
I discussed this with an editor at Mount Hermon, arguing anything pre-Internet is practically historical for the majority of young people in our country. She explained that while theoretically that might be true, the publishing houses cannot label things historical that baby boomers personally experienced–they don’t want to make the baby boomers feel old.
That’s why the Viet Nam war, finished nearly 40 years ago probably prior to the birth of half the people in the US, is not historical.
I suppose some of us could just write our memoirs as fiction and give them to our grandchildren to publish when they really WILL be historical! 🙂
Janet Ann Collins
A few years ago I went into an antique store and discovered lots of things I used to see on my mother’s shelves. It was a shock to realize I might be considered an antique, but places like that can help us see what life used to be like. You’re not likely to find the brand of food available in 1900 or 1950 in other places but might see bottles or cans in an antique shop.
Michelle Ule
Good idea, Janet. And you never know when stuff like that is going to turn up. I was on a research trip to Tennessee earlier this spring and a woman we got into conversation with on the street near one of my historical sites, invited us into her backyard “store.” Her husband had built her a replica of a 1930s general store and she stocked with antique finds much like you’ve described.
Amazing. She discussed her artifacts for over an hour and I thought, “only in America . . . .”
Caroline @ UnderGod'sMightyHand
I still love to do library research. Libraries just exclaim “read, research, and learn!!” to me. I’ve enjoyed making friends with the librarians at our local library; they truly are resourceful! (Part of me no-so-secretly wants to be a librarian.)
I love your suggestion of searching Amazon for books and viewing the publication dates in chronological order.
As for your question here: “And, before what year do you think we should designate a novel as historical?” I feel any story taking place (perhaps at least 5-10 years previous of publication) that includes details about life in an “age” prior (like technology) or includes events of the past (for example, the Y2K “scare”) could be considered historical fiction. Things like technology are changing so quickly, we label 4-year-old computers as “ancient.”
The editors mentioned in the blog post you linked to said “WWII or earlier,” but, as the years go on, won’t that date of what’s included from further and further ahead?
And, wow, what a fantastic note you observed here: “Magazines are important not only for their articles, but also for their ads. Walkmans were a big item in 1993, for example.” Also, has it been that long, already?!?
Thanks for this interesting post, Michelle!
Lindsay Harrel
Great info! Brings me back to my own j-school days. 😉
I write contemporary fiction, so I haven’t had to do as much research on historical facts. For other things, like accuracy regarding medical conditions, etc., I’ve researched online and asked friends. I also asked a friend who is the same age as one of my MCs about what type of music and clothing was popular when she was in high school, since I do reference that a bit. She’s a fellow writer, so she provided some great details for me to throw in!
Michelle Ule
Tapping current resources is absolutely necessary. I’m finishing a novella that takes place on a horse farm. After today’s rewrite, I’m sending it to a horse owner to review for accuracy. I spent half an hour talking to a Civil War reenactor over the weekend discussing saddles and how things were attached to the 1865 McClellan. That all turns up in the novel.
For a contemporary novel I wrote earlier this year, I went to Coronado and talked with a woman whose boyfriend essentially is my hero. She supplied all sorts of details I would have missed. For example, did you know Navy seals wear brown shirts and black shorts, exclusively, when they train?
I would have guessed the Navy colors, blue and gold.
Who knew?
Jeanne T
This was an insightful post, Michelle. Thanks for sharing great tips about researching. I haven’t done a lot of it. The research I’ve done for my current book required a working knowledge of indoor rock climbing and ballroom dancing. I interviewed an employee at a rock climbing place, and I interviewed a ballroom dance instructor, as well as took lessons for a couple of months. Of course, my wip is current day rather than historical. 🙂
I love your suggestion about talking with librarians.
It sounds to me like you’ve covered some great bases for researching 1993 Los Angeles. 🙂
As far as what is considered “historical,” I have read that anything before WW2 is historical. It seems to me though, that books like, The Help, could be historical in some ways too. It takes place in the 60’s and covers specific events in our nation’s history. What are your thoughts, Michelle?
Michelle Ule
Good point about The Help. I just checked, it’s classified as straight fiction, a novel.
Keep track of your receipts, Jeanne. You can offset them against earnings when you publish.
My novel Bridging Two Hearts is the story of a massage therapist at the Hotel del Coronado who is terrified of the Coronado Bridge. She falls in love with a Navy seal who is not afraid of anything. You bet I got a tax-deductible massage at the Hotel del . . . 🙂
Jeanne T
The Hotel Del is niiiice. 🙂 Lived in SD for years. Your book sounds wonderful, and full of tension. 🙂
Jennifer Major
Hey, I applaud you taking one for the team and having that back taken care of.
😉
Joanne Sher
VERY interesting post – and I definitely need this!
I grew up in Los Angeles, and moved to Michigan one year after your book was set 🙂
Morgan Tarpley
Great post, Michelle!
Research is a word that brings mixed emotions. At times, I absolutely love to pour through various types of medium searching for those golden nuggets, but at others it’s like trudging through a coal pile knowing that diamond is tiny and probably right below my feet.
My debut novel involves World War II Nazi Germany, so I have done extensive research on the subject for months. I utilized my local library to gather many good books regarding the subject as well as several legitimate Web sites.
I also have watched several documentaries from the History Channel and other sources. I found that taking a break from reading to watch a documentary or movie about that time period helped energize me to press on.
I have recently began writing the sequel, which will involve the Battle of the Bulge. I work as a journalist, so I know exactly what you mean about calling strangers and asking questions. I talk to people everywhere I go and I have gained some invaluable information and ideas for future books. You never know when God may destine you to find your next golden nugget of info from a stranger. I recently found out a man in a nearby town served in the Battle of the Bulge and would be willing to talk about it. I’ve got to set that interview up asap!
I’d say that anything about WWII and before would be considered historical fiction, though I am in my 20s so anything prior to the 80s is relatively unknown for me. 😀
Happy research everyone! I’ve got to get back to Nazi Germany! Wow…does that sound depressing or what?? lol
Michelle Ule
Great idea to watch documentaries on your subject.
When I’m on a research project, I announce what I’m doing to whomever I question. When visiting the Civil War museum in Bardstown, the curator was so interested in my story, he came three different times to find me in the library and point something out.
Similarly, at the Civil War days this past weekend, several “Confederate soldiers,” reacted to my hero’s name in such a way that I discovered what “normal” people remember about his story and thus what I need to emphasize.
Can you talk too much about your subject? Once the spouse’s eyes start rolling, you probably should discuss something else . . . 🙂
Morgan Tarpley
haha. Yep, sometimes we get so consumed by our characters and time period that I do think I am talking way too much. I have to keep myself in check for sure! 😀 It’s hard because when you find those golden nuggets you want the whole world to know!
Judy Gann
Michelle, thanks for the great post and, of course, mentioning libraries & librarians.
There are a wealth of online databases and e-sources (many historical) available on your library’s website, accessible with your library card. Remember the huge tomes you’d find in your library’s reference section? Most of these have been replaced with online sources. These online resources are far more reputable than much of what you’ll find through a search using Google, etc.
Remember, you can ask your librarian anything. No question is too trivial. Example: One of the first telephone reference questions I ever answered was a call from a woman whose chicken had a cold (honest, the woman was serious.) She wanted to know how to cure her chicken. And, I actually found the answer. 🙂
Michelle Ule
Thanks for weighing in, Judy. I’ve used my library card to access all sorts of references on line, as well as to order inter-library loans. I love the library!
Local university libraries are also an excellent resource. I’ve used the Charles M and Jean Schultz library (with its Snoopy retrieval system) at Sonoma State University, several times.
Brian Taylor
I am currently writing a book, yet I am finding it to be not easy to research. I haven’t reallocate found material on the subject even though it seems to be something that is on people’s minds wherever I go? What do you do in a situation like that?
Michelle Ule
This sounds like the perfect situation to discuss with a librarian! 🙂
Best wishes; it can be frustrating to not find what you’re looking for.
Rachel Wilder
Google Books is my best friend for research. I don’t know how I ever managed without it! I’ve found a wealth of stuff related to my current historical series. I love getting history books from the time period I’m writing about, or within thirty years of the decade I’m writing in. Truly invaluable stuff and I’ve learned a lot about my home state of Louisiana I didn’t know before. Including a very cool connection to the American Revolution and a very embarrassing defeat for the British in Mobile.
When I’m researching Russia, the Internet is not only my best friend, but my only friend. The library system here has never been much help, and there’s no university in my state with a decent Eastern European studies program. In the last couple of years a lot of the Russian state archives have finally been put on the Internet in English. I found one site last summer that I could easily spend weeks exploring.
Michelle Ule
The Russian find sounds terrific. I’d ask what it is, but I’ve got so many other things I need to do first . . . !
Thanks for sharing.
Leah Good
One of my favorite research resources is archive.org. It’s an amazing way to find (and download for free) books written in historical eras. I found lots of information for a pre-Civil War novel on this site.
The library still takes first prize, though! 🙂
Michelle Ule
Thanks for the lead, Leah. I’ll look at that.
Meadow Rue Merrill
I’m also a journalist. The best research tool I’ve found is still a good, old-fashioned newspaper. Best of all, the Internet means I can read just about any newspaper anywhere! When researching language, culture, weather, and local events for my middle-grade novel set in Australia, I spent two years reading The Northern Territory News online. Not only the articles, but readers’ responses to articles gave me lots of great information to fill in memory gaps from when I’d lived there as a teen.
Michelle Ule
Of course! Newspapers! The want ads and personals of old papers also can be founts of story ideas.
Cheryl Malandrinos
Great post, Michelle. I’ve found over the years that the Internet only takes you so far. I’ve bought books on certain subjects if I knew I would be using the information again. Hands down, though, my local librarian has become my best friend. She has found books for me on subjects from places I wouldn’t even have known to look and has also requested materials for me outside of our local library system. My hubby and I keep having the argument over the need for public libraries, but I know I couldn’t do my job without them.
Michelle Ule
Amen. My husband thinks it would be more cost effective to give everyone a Kindle rather than run a library, but he never needs a library, so I ignore him on this subject!
Judy Gann
Oh, Michelle! The argument I’d have with your husband. 🙂
Heather Day Gilbert
Hmmm…well, I use Google and Wikipedia as much as the next gal, but for my Viking historical, I based the story on the facts in the Icelandic sagas. There was much cross-referencing and filling in the blanks, since the sagas’ timeline was all over the place (overlapping, sometimes).
An unusual, yet helpful, resource was the VikingAnswerLady webpage. That woman helped me out personally several times with my niggling historical questions. I also had a crit reader who writes Roman fiction, and I can bounce tricky, not-on-the-web questions off him. My agent also caught a couple of details, like foods that wouldn’t have been around at that time. Finally, I review medical stuff w/my dad, since he’s a doctor.
Not to mention cross-checking most of my adjectives/adverbs with the Old Norse dictionary to make sure the book sounded authentic! All in all, research can be a real bear, but it’s worth it for a finished product that’s as accurate as you can make it.
Michelle Ule
Absolutely, Heather, and I, personally, am more interested in your story knowing the great lengths you went to for accuracy. Thanks.
Jennifer Major
Have you checked with the Gov’t of Newfoundland for stuff on L’Anse aux Meadows?
Jennifer Major
And yeah, burgers were not around then. Nor were fries.
😉
Heather Day Gilbert
Hee–yes, Jennifer, I had those Vikings ordering take-out! Actually, I believe I had referenced potatoes, which weren’t available then. Or maybe turnips. I can’t remember. And I haven’t checked that site. I just need to get mySELF up to L’Anse Aux Meadows someday!!! Thanks for the comments!
Jennifer Major
Potatoes would not have been around then, since they were brought to Europe in the years after the first trips to the New World. Turnips. Mmm. GAH!!!
If you come up this way, fly to my town and we’ll do a road trip to The Rock (Newfoundland).
Linda Jewell
Hi Michelle,
I support our troops, admire and respect the military wives I’ve met, and am interested in research so I’m looking forward to reading your book when it’s published. 🙂
Just brainstorming with you, I have some suggestions for your consideration:
1. I don’t know if you are a military wife, but even if you are, talk to as many as you can whose husbands were serving about the same time your protagonist’s husband was serving, and especially if they served in the Gulf War. If the husband had lived and served at least 20 years, he would be newly retired. The Navy Wives Clubs might be able to provide you with some leads or information.
2. Contact the Gold Star Wives of America and respectfully ask if any of their members are Gulf War Widows with whom you can connect. Their Southwest Region includes chapters in California.
3. Contact the Library of Congress Veterans History Project and ask if any of the oral histories are available that might be helpful to your research. Some of the oral histories are given by family members on behalf of the veteran so you might be able to find an interview by a Gulf War Navy widow on the topic of her husband’s service.
4. I don’t know if your protagonist would take advantage of military dependent benefits, but if so, check with the Navy or the VA to see what resources and facilities they had in 1993 for military dependents in the Los Angeles area. I assume as a widow that your protagonist could still go to the commissary, receive military medical benefits for herself and her children, etc. I’d also check with the Navy to see what benefits were available in 1993 if this makes a difference to your story.
5. Contact the Los Angeles tourist or information bureau and ask if they have an archive with 1993 travel guides that might show then “new” vacation destination points, restaurants, events or rides at entertainment parks, etc. if this is relevant.
6. Contact college or universities in the area and ask if their libraries or library science, journalism, history, or business departments (which may keep corporation’s annual reports if this is relevant) might have something that will be helpful to you. (I’m like you, I admire and respect librarians!)
7. Google Amazon.com or contact larger local LA new or used bookstores and ask if they have books written about the region or neighborhoods that might be useful. (I found a number of books when I googled “Los Angeles regional history books.”)
8. Look for books on the topic of research which were published before and around 1993. For instance, on my bookshelf, I have State of the Art Fact-Finding: New Ways to Find the Information You Need, Now by Trudi Jacobson, MLS, and Gary McClain, PhD (The Philip Lief Group, Inc., 1993) and Knowing Were to Look: The Ultimate Guide to Research by Lois Horowitz (Writers Digest Books,1984).
9. If college newspapers use AP guidelines or have employees manuals, research guidelines, etc. see if you can find any written for that time period. I don’t know your protagonist’s background, but I imagine she’d receive some on-the-job training or classes. If she already has a journalism degree, see if there are journalism or maybe even library courses on research that she’d already have taken and then she would just need to brush up on her skills in her new job.
10. Contact professional librarian associations, college newspaper associations, or journalism professors associations (for instance, on the Interet I found the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication)and ask if there are any active or retired members you can interview. Ask for retired professors who taught journalism students research in the early 1990’s.
11. Contact a librarian in the greater Los Angeles area and ask if the library archived or saved in any format any local magazines from 1993. I don’t know where you live, but if you’re not in the area, see if you can borrow the magazines through the interlibrary loan program.
12. Contact magazines from the greater Los Angeles area and see if they have back copies or archives of their magazines from the early 1990’s that you can have access to. Or go to a large local used book store and see if they have Time, Life, Saturday Evening Post, or military magazines etc. from the life time of your protagonist, but especially for the early 1990’s.
Enough brainstorming. 🙂 Hope some of the above is helpful to you. Best wishes in your research and writing.
Blessings,
Linda Jewell
Michelle Ule
Wow, Linda, this is an extremely comprehensive list. I’m going to print it out!
I AM a Navy wife; my husband is a retired naval officer so I am up on all the military aspects of the story. I was the same age as my heroine in 1993, which is where, of course, a lot of these ideas come from. Thankfully, I have never had to meet the CACO teams.
I have done a number of these things you’ve suggested and, of course, I lived through a lot of it. (Just had dinner the other night with a friend whose submarine shot the first missile of the war). In addition, she’s returning to my home town so I’m up on a lot of that detail as well.
For the rest of you, take a look at this list Linda presented. This IS the sort of detail you should consider when writing ANY novel. Whether the information appears in the story or not, you the author need to know these things.
Happy researching!
And back to work for me! 🙂
Thank you, Linda.
Peter DeHaan
Although I have no plans to write something set in an earlier era, I have retained a 70-year old dictionary. It could inform me of the primary usage of words from that time. And, by virtue of omission, it could alert me to words not yet part of our vocabulary.
So, if I write book set in the 1940s, I’ll have a ready resource to tell me what words to use and which ones to avoid.
Michelle Ule
Great idea, Peter. The novella I’m editing today has a gambling subtheme as well as a horse farm setting. I wrote out a list of words from those two world to incorporate into my story. I had fun along the way learning the original meanings of sayings I thought I knew! Bonus!
Laurie Evans
I like research enough, but I just don’t think I could write a historical novel! I’ve had to do a little research about my character’s backgrounds from the 1990s.
I agree, check with librarians! They know where to find stuff.
Sharon K Mayhew
I think interviews are a great way to gather information, especially for 1993.
I don’t know what the parameters for historical fiction are. I would think that 1993 would be considered contemporary.
I’ve written a hf mg novel set in 1941. I used lots of interviews of family members and people I met on a trip to England. The BBC has been a great resource, too. When I was in England the last time I bought quite a few nf books that were written for children and sold at museums.
I’m struggling with if I should spell and punctuate correctly for that period and setting or if I should use American spellings and punctuation.
Michelle Ule
If the book is set in 1941 Britain, I’d go with their punctuation and spelling to quietly reinforce your setting.
I’d go easy on dialect, but you should sprinkle some throughout your manuscript.
Don’t you love those British museums? We had to ration ourselves with book buying!
Sharon K Mayhew
Thanks so much, Michelle. I was worried that it might confuse the middle grade reader.
Museums are wonderful, especially if they allow you to take photographs. Eden Camp was a WWII prisoner camp in England that they made into a museum. It was filled with WWII history, but it also had clothing, food, typical home settings and so much more. I think I took around 300 photos there.
Debra E Marvin
I’ve noticed that ‘historical’ has crept closer and closer and then past my year of birth. oh well!
I’m doing research for future books right now because the opportunity is too much to pass up, so my writing is on the back burner. I heartily agree “Ask a librarian” They love to help!
great post!
Kathleen wright
For me, I would say WWII starts historical fiction now. So, then, if I say that, what does fiction in the tumultuous sixties, the ViewNam era, etc. fall under?