Researching a Book
Dagwood gets super excited when I write.
There have been more than a few frustrating days since I quit the job in July to write a book. I had an outline almost right away since the idea has been in my head for a few years. My Editor Friend (and don’t we all need an Editor Friend) has been very encouraging. What I didn’t realize was how much research would be involved. I have discovered how much I DON’T know about a thing, when I try to describe something I’ve never done. I took some classes through The Writer’s League of Texas, read some books by some of my favorite writers, and listened to some podcasts because, well, I like podcasts.
Lately, I’ve been calling on some “experts”. People around me that I know they know something about what I’m attempting to write about. These gracious people have volunteered their time (none of this is making me any money and who knows if it ever will). They are contributing to the story in various ways beyond anything I can measure without being all judge-y.
Character development is a real thing too. I have several character sheets in the works for a hero, the spouse, the villain, and the kids involved. I’ve created a company several of them work for, houses they live in AND the cars they drive. Names remain elusive, but I have found several baby name books in the house I am looking through for names to assign to all the characters. The hero might be named “Jack” because I will have to eventually kill him off for the story. I saw an interview once of James Cameron. He confirmed that even though 2 people would have easily fit on that door, Jack had to die. My Jack does as well. My search history is very interesting these days.
I set aside time each day to get something down on paper (on the computer?). If I don’t answer the phone right away, you know what is happening. I write until I get stuck and then I’ll call you back. I’m not sure I’m going in order since I’m just trying to get it out of my head. I’m also starting with the Villain. She is deliciously evil and helping to shape my Hero…
(insert evil laugh here)
