How much research do you have to do for your novel? A BBC radio programme on a spy cruise (a fascinating concept in itself) interviewed some of the participants, and one was doing research for her novel. She said her character had suddenly developed an Intelligence background and she needed help. (A spy cruise, by the way, is a normal cruise but with additional lectures and talks from the Intelligence Community.)
At the other end of the spectrum, there is a novel like the prize winning Tenderness of Wolves, whose author Stef Penny had never visited Canada - where the book is set - and had done all her research in libraries. It didn't stop her from having written a fantastically atmospheric book, and winning that year's Costa prize.
So what research would you do if your budget was limitless? I sometimes see book proposals asking for an advance to allow for the author to 'research the interesting world of Caribbean holidays'. Trust me - if such a budget were available, you'd be fighting off editors everywhere!
How much research is actually necessary? The traditional advice is 'write about what you know' but your imagination may have taken you in a new direction. If you're not sure about a whole area - it's probably wisest to steer your character into a different profession if you can.
Don't assume an editor will iron out any inconsistencies. American publishers often employ fact checkers who will go through every statement with a fine tooth-comb, but it's not normal practice in the UK.
Many authors will say in their acknowledgments that all facts are courtesy of their advisers, but all errors are their own, an elegant way of thanking and still accepting responsibility.
Cressida
(Editorial Consultant)
Shafi, there are lots of prolific writers out there. To name but two. James Patterson who I have yet to read, and I might not as he is not on my list. of authors. Michael Morpurgo who is a genius in my opinion. You will always find those two on the book shelves. I do believe that for most books research is necessary, but how much? Without knowing the subject matter, it's hard to quantify. I wonder if Tolkien did any research? Famous authors of the past may have done a lot research, but was that research in some way part of their daily life?
If an author has out-lined his or her book from start to finish then I hope they are writing more about what they know, than what they do not.
Research has to play a minor role to one's creative imagination.
This has roused my curiosity as to what research famous authors of the past actually did for their books.Without knowing, I can surmise that most had access to libraries, and read a great amount of books. That they have used real life experiences. They certainly did not have access to the forms of media we have today. This has made me realize I have very little knowledge about, classical or contemporary authors backgrounds, unless that information is provided inside the front cover. I should research them on the internet..
I like to think that I do a lot of research, but compared to others, it's probably not that much at all. I take only what I need, the rest, I can leave down to imagination. My latest piece is set during The Industrial Revolution, so I knew I had to read up on that. Living in the Black Country at the time, I was well placed to head out and see what was left of the period for myself.
I went through archives, aquired a large map of the land from the period to put on the wall and see where my character was heading etc etc. I could quite easily write something and leave it entirely to imagination, but I like to have everything in place and ready for me before I take the plunge. If I didn't research, then it would feel as though I have just opened a toy box containing a giant model ship, with some parts and instructions missing, and having to make-do with what I had.
But that's just me. Others can probably write without doing any research at all.
Research. This is the fun part. This is the field-trip of the writing process isn't it? I didn't pay too much attention in Highschool, apart from English classes, so in a way, when I research, I'm making up for that too. Isn't the travelling part of the journey meant to be fun too?
Now in London, I have to use whatever I can that is available to me to get the facts that I need regarding that particular area in England during that period in our past.
Sure, I have in internet, but now I also have The British Library on my doorstep. I could think of no better place to go to find things out and also to write.