Comments on: Immersion, and Stalling for Spot Research http://writerunboxed.com/2006/04/04/immersion-and-stalling-for-spot-research/ about the craft and business of fiction Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:08:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jeri http://writerunboxed.com/2006/04/04/immersion-and-stalling-for-spot-research/#comment-532 Jeri Wed, 05 Apr 2006 14:54:00 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2006/04/04/immersion-and-stalling-for-spot-research/#comment-532 I continue to research throughout the process of writing and rewriting the book, while never letting it take time away from the actual writing. Since I write a series, anything I learn along the way can always be used in a later book. There's a certain amount that has to be done upfront, though. My first novel got totally derailed after research revealed that the entire premise was based on something that couldn't possibly happen, not even in science fiction. So I kept the characters (I'd written maybe five chapters) and found them a new plot. I continue to research throughout the process of writing and rewriting the book, while never letting it take time away from the actual writing. Since I write a series, anything I learn along the way can always be used in a later book.

There’s a certain amount that has to be done upfront, though. My first novel got totally derailed after research revealed that the entire premise was based on something that couldn’t possibly happen, not even in science fiction. So I kept the characters (I’d written maybe five chapters) and found them a new plot.

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]]> By: madukwriter http://writerunboxed.com/2006/04/04/immersion-and-stalling-for-spot-research/#comment-531 madukwriter Wed, 05 Apr 2006 10:21:00 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2006/04/04/immersion-and-stalling-for-spot-research/#comment-531 There is a school of thought that says you are always going to have a crap first draft (second, third, fourth...) so with that in mind I don't get side tracked by research. I just write the draft and make a note of anything to research then check it when I get round to the editing stage. If I get round to the editing stage. I don't get sidetracked by research but I get sidetracked by everything else :-) There is a school of thought that says you are always going to have a crap first draft (second, third, fourth…) so with that in mind I don’t get side tracked by research. I just write the draft and make a note of anything to research then check it when I get round to the editing stage. If I get round to the editing stage. I don’t get sidetracked by research but I get sidetracked by everything else :-)

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]]> By: Elena Greene http://writerunboxed.com/2006/04/04/immersion-and-stalling-for-spot-research/#comment-530 Elena Greene Tue, 04 Apr 2006 21:49:00 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2006/04/04/immersion-and-stalling-for-spot-research/#comment-530 This is a tough one. Ideally my process is to research major plot points ahead of time, then put in little notes to myself for details I need to research to flesh out scenes in the revision and polishing process. But when my characters deviate from the synopsis I've sometimes had to stop the flow of writing to do research. Or if I'm not sure what happens next research can generate ideas. I think one has to ask wise questions like is it really crucial to know what sleeve style was popular during the summer of 1817, or can I look it up later? Elena, who is not always wise This is a tough one.

Ideally my process is to research major plot points ahead of time, then put in little notes to myself for details I need to research to flesh out scenes in the revision and polishing process.

But when my characters deviate from the synopsis I’ve sometimes had to stop the flow of writing to do research. Or if I’m not sure what happens next research can generate ideas.

I think one has to ask wise questions like is it really crucial to know what sleeve style was popular during the summer of 1817, or can I look it up later?

Elena, who is not always wise

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]]> By: Kathleen Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2006/04/04/immersion-and-stalling-for-spot-research/#comment-529 Kathleen Bolton Tue, 04 Apr 2006 19:03:00 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2006/04/04/immersion-and-stalling-for-spot-research/#comment-529 It's a delicate balance, a chicken/egg question, this research vs. writing. Authenticity of description elevates a novel, but like many writers I get so fascinated with the details I can get sidetracked. I got sidetracked this morning, as a matter of fact :-) but I think the scene works better as a result. That's what I'm telling myself, anyway. It’s a delicate balance, a chicken/egg question, this research vs. writing. Authenticity of description elevates a novel, but like many writers I get so fascinated with the details I can get sidetracked. I got sidetracked this morning, as a matter of fact :-) but I think the scene works better as a result. That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway.

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