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Friday 9 November 2012

Two steps forward, one step back?


I started to write the eighteenth century part of my Book 2, 'The Painting' this week, but I had to stop because I didn't know enough about my character's day to day life.

I've spent the rest of the week taking notes from books I found in the library and mulling over ideas. Next week I'll get back to the writing.

Some of my Book 1, 'The Grandson' is written as journal excerpts from World War II in the UK and Italy. I wrote the first draft of these excerpts without doing much research because I've studied World War II in the past.

The difference with Book 2 is that I need to do more research before writing.

With The Grandson I used a lot of information I knew already and I've lived/ worked in all the settings I used: Italy, London, New York and North Yorkshire. I do have a file filled with research notes (and I read a lot of text books/novels/biographies about Italy and Italian history), but the file for Book 2 will be considerably fatter. I've read that many writers use what they know to inspire their first novel. Maybe this allows a writer to focus more on learning how to write a novel.

Sometimes as the French say: Il faut reculer pour avancer. It's worth taking one step back.

What do you think?

21 comments:

  1. Yes! Do the research you need to ground your book in a believable and vibrant setting. I'm sure you'll produce something great.

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    1. Hi Sarah, thank you! Hope your writing is going well.

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  2. I have to agree, I think you need to do some research...

    I'm feeling I must also do the same in my novel, I probably need a local history group's help and advice.

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    1. Hi Maria, thanks for your comment. Hope it goes well.

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  3. Its trying to find the time I'm struggling with...I feel tempted to try and research as much as I can on the internet.
    If anyone knows a good blog, or site about life just after WW2, the recovery years, I'm especially looking for Leicester in the UK. Any ideas greatly appreciated.

    I'm wondering if the library could help?

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    1. My library has access to old newspapers online-I wonder if you could find old local newspapers through a library in the Leicester area?

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    2. My library is closed for refurbishment until December, but I'll look into it...thank you.

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    3. You're welcome Maria. Good luck!

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  4. Doing the research ahead of time saves you from stepping back constantly while you're drafting. It's definitely worth the time upfront. Good luck!

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  5. I think the research definitely adds to the authenticity and taking time out perhaps to write up a short biography/study of the character while doing the research will no doubt greatly enhance your story and help keep you in touch with what you've written so far.

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    1. Good idea Claire. Thanks for visiting and for your comment. Back to writing today-it really helped to get lost in research for a few days.

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  6. What an interesting conversation! Thank you for starting it with an account of your developing work in progress. Fascinating!

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    1. Thank you Edith! It was definitely worth going back to the research for a week.

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    2. Ps Edith- not sure if you're on Twitter and if I'm following you. Let me know if you are and I'll follow.

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  7. This sounds like a full time job Anita,I don't know how you do it and cope with children at the same time. Good luck!

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    1. Thank you Anne! Hope your writing is going well.

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  8. I'm sure that every minute of your research will prove worthwhile, as well as enjoyable. It's those small details about the life of the characters that adds depth to a novel.

    I was telling my cousin that 'A Bargain Struck', the novel that's coming out next year, is the first I've written that owes absolutely nothing to people/locations/situations that I have encountered. I had nothing to draw upon, apart from my imagination and my research. She remarked that she'd always heard that the real test for a writer is to be able to write something entirely from one's head.

    This ties in with your comment 'Maybe this allows a writer to focus more on learning how to write a novel' I think you're so right.

    I still can't wait to read 'The Grandson'.

    Liz X

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    1. Hi Liz, thanks for visiting and for your comment. I do enjoy the research. It's interesting finding out facts and working out how I can use them (where relevant to the plot). Thanks so much for your support re The Grandson- hopefully it will get published one of these days! See you soon at the RNA Winter Party. x

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  9. Hi Anita
    It was the same for me, I needed to do more research for Bk2 than Bk1, in part because it's set somewhere I haven't been for a long time. I did a bit up front but found as I went along that I had to make notes on other areas to research too. I think it's the research that helped me approach the story with more confidence perhaps. Good luck with it all. :-) x

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    1. Hi Elle, thank you. Good luck with your writing.x

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