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I am an aspiring writer living and working in Hull. I working on a novel, as well as writing short stories to keep my writing skills fresh. I decided to start a writing blog to connect with other writers. So please, take a look around and leave some comments - I'd love to read some of your writing blogs too. Nari X

Monday 27 August 2012

Hitting The Books

Many apologies for my two week absence. I have had a stressful week, but I' here now. 

As a writer, research is one of our most valuable tools. Our research informs what we write and provides essential materials for building the world of our stories. 
Unfortunately, I am terrible at it. 
I find that I'm much more likely to dive straight into a story, getting to know my characters a weaving yarn, which is lovely. Which is fine.
But I've reached a point now where I realise, particularly whilst writing a fantasy novel, the importance of research. It is what makes the world and its people believable. 
So I feel it is time to hit the local library and draw on its variety of resources. I have also been reading up on the books I own myself, stepping back and looking at story structure, world building and the shape of the plot.

The trouble is I'm struggling to know where to start. I want to read history books and look at customs and culture of different time periods, different countries, but I can't carry an entire shelf of books home with me. But, I keep telling myself, I need to be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day, and nor is a good novel. 

I have recently finished reading Patrick Rothfuss's 'The Wise Man's Fear', and I have now got half way through George R.R. Martin's 'A game of Thrones.' 
You can imagine how intimidated I am feeling. These books and series are epic - The Wise Man's Fear quite literally. The book weighs a tonne. 
I can't begin to imagine how much research and time went into those books. And it paid off. 


So. Stop whining, Nari, and get on with it. That, I believe, is what Patrick Rothfuss would say. 

Many people have recommended Stephen King's 'On Writing', So I might track it down to hep me out. Are there any other good books or research advice anyone can suggest? 



8 comments:

  1. 'On Writing' is amazing! If you promise to post it back, I can post you my copy if you like? E-mail me.

    If I get impatient I write without the research and just highlight in red areas I need to go back and research later. But mostly I find that I do the research I think I need and then find there's so much more to be done as I write that it becomes just a constant drip feed of research throughout.

    Good luck!x

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  2. Cross my heart I'd send it back!
    This is wht I've started doing, just writing and kind of highlighting what I need to research, but i'm finding there's just too much I don't really know about.
    I'll let you know how it goes

    Nari X

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    1. Cool. Well you can send me your address and I'll send you the book! I'll give you my "professional" e-mail just so I'm not scattering my personal one around the blogosphere... chloe [at] wordsyourway [dot] co [dot] uk

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    2. Thanks Chloe, I'd really appreciate that :) I'll send you my address.

      Nari X

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  3. Nari, it sounds like you are certainly motivated and passionate about your writing, it takes time to write a book. I am sure if you keep focused, your determination will pay off.

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  4. I'm awful at research too. I tend to get distracted and go "off-topic", but maybe that's because I only tend to research online, which isn't always reliable. With fantasy though, you do have more licence to invent, but I can see how rooting it in real history could make it feel more authentic. But don't forget you are free to build your world as you like, as long as you stick to the rules you've created.

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    1. That's the part I'm a bit nervous about - making it feel real. So I'm researching for authenticity - I'd just like a basic knowledge on which to build my world.

      Nari X

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