How much research do you do?

[the-mome-wrath.livejournal.com]

Just out of curiosity, how much time does everyone spend doing research for stories? Are there any topics you've found while researching that have given you great ideas for your stories?

I seem to spend a lot of time researching various topics that I may or may not incorporate into my stories. Different societies, types of injuries, psychology, etc. I tend to write a lot of fantasy and the more grounded in reality the normal aspects of things are the more realistic the fantastical parts seem to be. That and I just love world building. Less well known existing cultures are a great source for ideas.

Comments

[ceirdwenfc.livejournal.com]

I research as I go, and yes, I research a lot even if it's only background and not used in the actual story.

[starlight83.livejournal.com]

I've been researching the story I'm working on now for almost exactly a year now. I've got a binder full of information I've printed off the internet, and I don't even know off the top of my head how many books I've read. It's a considerable stack that I've spent way too much money on...

But what I'm working on is historical fiction. And I think that tends to be a pretty research heavy genre.

Still, it's been invaluable to me. My research has determined much of the story I'm going to write: my time period, what town I want to set it in, the name and occupation of my hero, plus how he'll dress and how he'll act.

The idea for the story only came to me in a figment, from some small bit of mythology I knew. So research has been ALL I've been doing for a while now. Normally I'd do it more as I go and not so heavy before even beginning, lest I drown out the idea in a tide of information, but I couldn't really avoid it this time around.

In general, I think it's a good idea for anyone who wants to write to always be out there absorbing information. You often have to know a little bit about everything when you write.

[rosalinda-143.livejournal.com]

Well, I tend to think of the scene and if it involvels anything to do with research I research it. I haven't been doing too much research (because it isn't needed in my book). And the truth is I'm trying not to make situations like that (sometimes the research is kind of hard to find). (I usually get my insperation from watching tv or movies).

But I have come across a scene where I do need to do some research... I'm still looking. You wouldn't happen to know any doctors would you?

peace.love.happiness.

- Rosie

[cat-mcdougall.livejournal.com]

You wouldn't happen to know any doctors would you?

I'd try little_details also, try WedMD. Sounds hokey, but I've found some things there that helped. (Unfortunately, I know a few doctors, and they start looking at you funny when you ask about dismembering...)

[rosalinda-143.livejournal.com]

Thanks, i'll check those out. lol, yeah it is kind of strange... but impossible to find on the internet so I don't blame you, i ask people random questions (for my book) all the time... thanks again!

peace.love.happines.

- Rosie

[thebonedawg.livejournal.com]

I tend to do research as I write. If my characters bring me to a situation that I'm not really familiar with, I'll make a note while I'm writing to research it later. Or, if it can't wait, I'll take a break and research it right then. The book I'm working on now hasn't required much so far. Just a few law enforcement-related things and some locations in the US.

I'll graduate in December with a degree in Psych (along with my Eng degree), and quite possibly a Crim minor. So I've come across several concepts in my studies that have presented great ideas for stories.

But if I'm reading/watching/listening to something that sounds like a good idea for a story, but I don't know a whole lot about it, I will definitely spend a good amount of time researching. It needs to be plausible. It's never a good idea to go in half-cocked and end up sounding completely ignorant about the subject you're writing on.

[thorarosebird.livejournal.com]

I don't do nearly enough research! It's a problem when I write something unusual for me; usually for the first draft I'll fall back on what I've read in other books and I won't go into much detail. Bad me. :(

[cat-mcdougall.livejournal.com]

It depends on the world I need to build. I have an idea, for a world right now, where there are several different cultures and ideals around that need to be researched. I'm taking ideas from Imperial China/Russia, many Polynesian cultures, several different steppe and desert nomadic tribes, plus, I have an entire society that has magical aphonia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphonia), which also needs research.

However, my last story was set in a contemporary Alternate Reality. Meaning, I didn't need to do much research at all.

[saraboo.livejournal.com]

I want to write a story about vikings, so I've been researching them for a year now. It's slow and painful, but I stop for awhile and go back as I want to so I don't OD on viking stuff. I've researched all sorts of stuff related to that time period as well, and everything I learn leads to something else I think I may need to learn.

At some point I just need to *stop* and write. :)

[magickeyboard.livejournal.com]

I tend to do a mix of research. I usually write fantasy so if I have a good idea of an actual mythos or culture I want to base a story on then I will do a lot of research on that particular subject. I also always do general research on various cultures and their mythologies just in case I find something interesting, I actually own a dictionary of mythology that is ridiculously huge but a great starting point to jump off on more in depth research.
Right now what I'm writing could best be characterized as modern scifi and I've done a lot of research as I go from things like how to best self treat a gunshot wound (totally with you all on needing a VERY understanding doctor friend) to current breakthroughs in biotechnology.