Blogger: Rachel Kent
Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
I hope all of you have had a wonderful week!
Today, I’d love to hear how you use the ever-advancing technology to find or perfect your stories.
Do you have a certain method for researching characters?
Do you use the news to spark ideas?
How does your story benefit from the technology of the day?
Thank you for all of the excellent comments this week. 🙂
Since I’m writing historicals, I often need to research obscure facts about outdated things. I have found Wikipedia an invaluable source for this.
Now, since Wikipedia is not considered an authoritative or fully-reliable source, I only use it as a pointer to get me started. I then verify my information through more reliable sources.
I’ve found Google Books a valuable source for accessing out-of-print books. They’ve scanned full books from the 1800s and earlier that you won’t find in your local library. If I come across a rare and informative book that would be more beneficial in my hands or useful for other projects, I’ll purchase it through eBay.
I’ve even used old postcards to help capture a time and place where actual photographs are scarce. Google Images help here as well.
I received a digital photo frame for Christmas–one of those that displays photos in slide show fashion. I’m toying with the idea of loading it up with my one sheet followed by the photos I use for inspiration on characters and settings.
I write historical fiction so my challenge is to keep out the technology of the day. Not an easy thing to do. Have a great weeekend.
I often wonder how writers did research before the internet. Since I don’t write in a genre that requires tons of meticulous research, like historical, I probably use the internet more than research books when I write. I do have a couple fantastic reference books on subjects I need to research frequently (one on warriors, another on weapons), but mostly, it’s Google searches for me. Of course, someone would think I’m a psychopath if they checked my search history, which includes:
How long does it take to completely burn a body? Suicide methods. How long can you live with an abdominal wound? Is it possible to effectively throw a sword? What does a dead person’s skin feel like? Video for a sword vs. tonfa fight. Depressed skull fracture.
And then, of course, just to round it out:
Rose color meanings. Photos of Hawaii. Video of how to throw a pot on a wheel.
Seriously, where would you even look to find the answers to some of those first questions, if not on the internet? Great series this week, Rachel. 🙂
Google books is an amazing tool for historical research. I’m probably one of the few people that gets excited about x-ray tech manuals from 1905.
You just don’t find that kind of resource at your local public library.
I would feel like I’m missing an arm if I didn’t have the Internet. I use it to find the weather, typical homes, maps and pictures of my settings. And technology definitely features in my books through texting, using laptops, etc..
Lindsay’s comment made me laugh out loud–I shudder to think of what government officials would think of us if they confiscated our computers! I research some weird stuff too!
I write contemporary Chrisitan fiction, so I don’t have to do a lot of historical research either, but I DO find that I often use the internet to Google particular subjects I might be addressing in my stories. Also,at our church there is a strong women’s ministry with great diversity in occupations, homemaking skills, hobbies, and interests. I like to network with others and garner ideas, making sure I have a little spiral notebook at the ready. Old-fashioned approach, but one that works!
Great way to end the week, and so many interesting reasons to use the Internet for our research.
Here is where I am going to sound like a dinosaur. I still prefer books for my research over online methods. It makes no sense. I make a living off the online world, and yet, when I get into my historical research, I want a book. In my office, I have four books from the local library, about a private school. My main character is being sent away to a female seminary, so I want to get an idea what the daily life was like. I’ve contacted a school and asked them some questions.
I’ve also bought books if I felt I would use them for other projects.
While I’ve use the Internet for researching articles, I can’t always find what I am looking for when it comes to my longer projects, and I am anal when it comes to historical accuracy.
What I like most about the Internet in regards to perfecting my stories is my online critique groups and forums, where I can really brainstorm about my WIP with other writers.
Thanks for a great series of articles, Rachel.
My favorite tech resource is Biblegateway.com. I can almost remember how the scripture I want goes. And I can almost remember where it is. Biblegateway saves me tons of time!
Even though I write fantasy, I still do a bit of research. Lindsay, I laughed at the questions you looked up. They sound like mine 🙂
I second what Sarah said about BibleGateway. I love that site and use it almost daily. I also Google so many details or commentaries.
Lindsay, you just affirmed my calling to non-fiction–thank you! Amen, Sarah (I don’t miss my big old Strongs Concordance one bit). And thanks to you, Rachel, for an intriguing week.
Thank you! I appreciate the comments and encouragement.
Hope I didn’t startle you, Lee. Just want my warfare scenes to be accurate. 😀
And I agree with Sarah, too. I use BibleGateway more than any other single reference site. So fantastic.