A couple years ago a forest fire broke out about a half mile from our house while we were away on a canoe trip over the weekend. It wasn’t a big fire and luckily no houses burned.
At the time I was writing a story set in a place that has recently burned.
So, I hiked out to the burn and stomped around, watching the way the ash puffed up from my shoes.
Then I inhaled deeply through my nose trying to experience the smell, and ended up in a sneezing fit.
I put my hand in the ash. It was still a little warm, and was neither as dirty nor as fine as the ash from my wood stove.
In doing research for another story, I tried to set a space blanket on fire but all it did was crinkle and melt.
Don't try this at home. Oh, wait. That's where I tried it.
Anyway, I had to change that little detail in my story. I was hoping the space blanket would burst into flames. I mean, the label said, "flammable." And to me flammable means fire.
Have you done hands-on research for your stories? Did you find out anything unusual? Did you have to change your story based on your findings?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI did not do actual hands - on research, but I included specific descriptions of places I have been. In my novels Anabar's Run and Anabar Rises, I have several mountain scenes, and while writing them I thought back to mountains and valleys I have been to in The Alps and North Carolina. I do not believe I could have written those scenes without having first been to those places. Even though I was writing fiction and made up fictional settings, it helped to think about what those places really looked like.
ReplyDeleteGreat example, Will. I've used places I've been for my writing. It does help bring a setting to life.
DeleteSome of my stories include cooking - I love that kind of hands on research! In one of my stories, the main character builds model houses - and I tried that out too.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like fun, Andrea. :-)
DeleteI have a manuscript that deals with a secret snickerdoodle recipe. To make it sound like I knew what I was talking about, I spent a day baking six different snickerdoodle recipes and had my family do a taste test. My sister really got into it and created a survey that commented on texture, taste, shape, etc. (I'm not kidding. And my brother-in-law wrote ridiculous answers). From those responses I modified a couple recipes to create a perfect one.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, you can't have it! Only if the book sees the light of day. :)
Okay, Caroline. Fingers crossed that I'll be able to get the recipe!!
DeleteMost of the things I write about that would normally require research are based on things I've already lived through. For things that I can't possibly go experience now, I have a system for researching. The internet is good, non-fiction books are better, but the best research comes from actually corresponding with a person who is an expert on the topic.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Paul.
I loved your description of the remains of the forest fire, Paul. As for my research, all I can say is "Thank God for the Internet."
ReplyDeleteWOW, Paul. The awesomest things happen in Alaska. I think I should move up north already. :D Something I've tried to get some hands-on experience with is experiencing my hometown -- but as a tourist. I walked up to our Parliament buildings totally equipped with a camera and a baseball cap (because no one wears baseball caps on normal days except for tourists :P) and basically cruised around downtown, taking photos of everything and asking for directions. It was eye-opening how differently I was treated. And it made me glad my city is so lovely to strangers. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, that sounds like fun, Yahong!!
DeleteGreat post, Paul. I do research a lot for different aspects of my stories. I know most authors are the same. I have a book I wrote that involves Paul Revere's midnight ride, and I learned a ton as a result of my research. Did you know Revere did NOT say, "The British are coming!" during that heroic ride? In fact, he said, "The Regulars are coming out!" It became a pretty integral part of my story. The fact that he did not even complete the ride himself is another thing I learned. Instead, he was the equivalent to a leg of the great race. Anyway, great post.
ReplyDelete