Hatrack River Writers Workshop: How Much is Too Much?

This is topic How Much is Too Much? in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by cvgurau (Member # 1345) on :

I told myself a long time ago, and tried to drill it into my head, that a book that needs research is a book not worth writing. Now older and wiser (I hope), I realize that to achieve what Walt Disney called the "Plausible Impossible" research needs to be done.

Now for the question: I began a fantasy story a while back that I believed needed a lot of research in order to make that world come alive, be more real to the reader, so I went to the library and checked out in excess of fifteen books. About seven of them were worth using. So, how much research is enough? Is research necessary at all? After all, this is a completely made-up world, and as such, doesn't need any resemblance whatsoever to the world as we know it.

Does it?

Granted, I don't want to thrust a reader into a confusing world, so I have to familiarize him/her with the world I've created by comparing it to this one. Don't I?

Needless to say, it's been a while since I've worked on that particular story.

What should I do?

Chris

Posted by Hildy9595 (Member # 1489) on :

CV, IMO, it depends on your world. Is it based on our own medieval Earth? If so, then yes, I'd say you should do your research, otherwise it will not be "realistic." I know that sounds funny, since you are obviously writing about the fantastic, but unless a story maintains internal logic and the world is believable, your readers will not stick with you.

However, if you are creating a truly new world, perhaps an alternate version of our own modern world, then your imagination should suffice. After all, you know what a car, a house, a Starbucks, etc. are like on Earth. You can turn them on their ear in your universe with creativity alone.

There are some nifty programs out on the Web that will actually help you build a world. I can't remember the specific name/URL as I write this, but if you go to SFWA's site, I am pretty sure there is a link. There are also similar areas that will help you create alternate languages. If you don't feel comfortable making places up in your head, or researching obscure languages and basing yours off of them, then these tools may be of use.

Good luck, and keep at it! Remember to keep it fun.

Posted by srhowen (Member # 462) on :

I sometimes have ahd students in a writing class do this---read a book then for a book report make two lists. One fiction one non-fiction. Fiction stories have both elements. It seemed that the fiction stories with more elements of non-fiction, were more enjoyable, easier to read, and let the reader get into the story better.

How much should you know going in? If you have read 7 books on the subject go for it. Then find a wise reader. This should be someone that reads a lot in your chosen genre. And does not have to be another writer---better if they are not. Pure readers opinion.

Shawn

Posted by JOHN (Member # 1343) on :

It depends there's certain things you can pick up just from reading fantasy. I mean, I had no idea what a surcoat was, but after reading a few fantasy novels and going
www.m-w.com (Webster, baby) I figured it out. Having friennds that are interested in that time period and have already done a shit load of research for personal pleasure also helps. I guess basically you do research for those few readers you have that know what they're talking about and call call you in it. I'm a fairly simple reader, if a fantasy author tells me made-up name land A is several days journey for mad-up name land B, I take his word for and don't go consult the meaningless map in the begining. If a armor wasn't used in a certain time period that it seem the book is referencing I'll never know. Ignorance is bliss, but not all of your readers are going to be ignorant.

JOHN!

[This message has been edited by JOHN (edited August 14, 2002).]

Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :

Don't stop at just one wise reader (unless I'm the one

), get ten or twenty beta testers that have a lot of experience reading the genre.

Posted by Chronicles_of_Empire (Member # 1431) on :

cvgurau -

Try to be more specific about which precise areas of research you think you need to look into to, and I'll try to help you out with online resources and paperprint ones.

Posted by SiliGurl (Member # 922) on :

Chris, I feel your pain and empathize with you! I'd say that 1) You have to be 100% realistic within the context of your fantastic world and 2) If the question is not one of creativity, you have to be 99% realistic.

The first statement is easy-- You define your world, you establish its history, you create the boundaries for which people act and conflicts occur. You built this world, and now you have to operate believably within the context of the world. If you've created a monarchy to govern things, then realistically your POV character really ought NOT to be the King (or Queen, not to be sexist) as their position really does limit their ability to MOVE and act. If you've established a magic system, then your mages have to act realistically within the rules you've established. No cheating! No saying that "Muula was an unusually gifted, educated slave, well respected by..." etc etc.

The 2nd statement is for your wise reader, those people who are going to look at the statement "In the afternoon, Bob the Destroyer ran twenty leagues without so much as breaking a sweat" and demand, "REALLY?! 20 leagues = ~ 60 MILES. Without breaking a sweat?!" (And I actually based this off something I read at the Del Rey Writers Board; I was floored when the author said that!)

You will lose your wise readers by using real things (known things) incorrectly. Similarly, the REAL concrete details-- not the creative ones that make your narrative engaging, but the real nuts and bolts of LIVING in your world-- used right, will better flesh out your world, make it come alive, and give that rush of "Ooooh! He knows what he's talking about! This is great!" You'll have earned their trust and they won't question you... The moment they question you, they're just as likely to put the book back on the shelf.

Hope that helps... Good luck!

Posted by SiliGurl (Member # 922) on :

Oh! And if you're interested, here are some (but certainly not all) of my reference books for "realism."

For my healers:
-Herbal Almanac
-Eyewitness Handbook of Herbs
-Healing Plants

Basic medieval stuff:
-A Medieval Home Companion
-The Medieval Soldier
-Writers Guide to Everyday Life in the Middle Ages

War and soldiering:
-The Art of War
-Combat Leader's Field Guide (12th Ed.)
-Ghenghis Khan (any biography that deals with his strategy)
-The web for weapons (craft and usage)
-LOL, but I use my husband, an ex-Marine... If there's organized fighting in your world, you might seek out the aid of any Army/Marine friends you have.

Misc.:
-Writers Complete Fantasy Reference

[This message has been edited by SiliGurl (edited August 18, 2002).]