Okay, I've got this story I've barely started, the first thirteen lines are in F&F, but I'm running into tons of problems because I'm ignorant of the environment and what I'd expect. It's set in the arctic area of an alien planet, but I want it to feel plausable, like you could believe the environment and that the survival conflicts could indeed happen. I'm wondering where in the heck do I conduct research for things like this, things I want to write about and don't know a thing about? I read a lot of books and every author seems to know such odd details about their subject matter I'm left asking, "How the heck did they know THAT?" I mean, is it just a matter of looking at reference books or searching on-line for some source of information? What's the best way to do that in your opinion? I don't have much experience doing research for anything at all, really, so I need an idea of where I can look. Thanks.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
I'd recommend starting with research into the arctic areas of our own planet, unless things are much colder (say, liquid air colder) than they are here. It sometimes seems like every arctic and antarctic expedition produced not just one but several books, and they're mostly chock-full of all kinds of details about how to survive there. If you're serious about keeping this story going, dig them up and read them, then dig up some others.
I know 'cause for a time in the early eighties I was hooked on reading anything about polar exploration, and I went through everything I could find in the local libraries. This was before the Internet came into my life, or even really got going. There's bound to be something out there for you. (Not that I did this for any particular story---the subject fascinated me, that's all---though, eventually, details worked their way into several short stories and an aborted stab at a novel.)
Posted by wbriggs (Member # 2267) on :
If it were me, I'd want accounts, either fictional or not, of arctic exploration.
Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :
For arctic, I'd start reading about Shackleton. It's a fascinating story in its own right.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Is this planet Earth-like in other respects?
Posted by KevinMac (Member # 3145) on :
Don't be afrid to learn about geography and how it affects weather and vice-versa because the rules of Earth science are what our readers know and are familiar with. In order to have your environment seem real and believable, it needs to adhere closely our rules. You can stretch the rules of physical science a little and I'll go along with it, but if you go too far, then it will appear evident that the author is making it up as he goes along. That's not to limit you to what really exists, but I feel you need to have a plausible explanation as to how or why something out of the ordinary occurs, even if you never mention it directly. That forethought will show through your writing and will help make your planet alien and believable all at the same time.
So study Earth's arctic regions and then ask yourself "what would happen if..." or "under extreme circumstances would this be possible..."
Posted by Constipatron (Member # 3183) on :
Yes, Survivor, it IS a planet that's pretty close to our own, so studying the arctic region here would definitely be a benefit to the story. I didn't want to change too drastically what we have here on our own world, I'm just really stumped as to WHERE I might go to get that knowledge. Looks like I've got at least some idea of where to look for now. There's an interesting article in the January 2006 National Geographic that caught my eye, actually, it's the inspiration for the story, though the article is nothing like my story at all. The geographic location sparked some ideas and I wanted to give it a go.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Yeah, if it's an Earth-type planet then information about artic conditions and survival techniques used on Earth will be your main source. Search for Artic/Antartic expeditions. There should be plenty of information on the difficulties and some of the solutions.
Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :
Specifically: use the search engine on the internet. Go to the local library and check books out on the arctic. Go to used book stores and look for old copies of National Geographic containing articles on Antarctica or the Arctic. Find folks who have lived and worked on the North Slop in Alaska, or Greenland.
Research is easy to do. Make a list of what you need to know: environment, flora and fauna, climate, etc.
Research should also be ongoing... this is one of the reasons good writers say they read a lot. You never know when you'll learn a fascinating fact that comes in handy later.
Posted by J (Member # 2197) on :
Ditto Beth on the Shackleton. One good account is a book titled Endurance. It's got a lot of great stuff about day-to-day survival on the Antartic pack ice.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 2240) on :
If you get the chance, I'd even suggest you go up there and experience it for yourself. Sure, you can imagine the cold, the snow, the endless ice... But the culture in the north is far different than it is further south, and while your story isn't set on Earth's north, the culture is different enough that it might help you develop your story better.
All three of my siblings have lived in either the Yukon or North West Territories. I visited my sister when she lived in Norman Wells, and yep, it's a completely different world than that of Alberta or British Columbia a few hundred miles south.
Considerations: No regular highway. Ice highways in the dead of winter only. Everything else is shipped in either by air or by the Mackenzie River in the summer. That drastically alters available goods as well as pricing (imagine paying $50 for a watermelon, or $13 for a gallon of milk.) Water and sewage lines all running above ground. Large community garbage bins (8'x8'x8') that are bear proof. Pavement at the airport only. Hotel rooms that are 8' square, shared bathrooms, $150 a night per bed (reservations are by the bed. When it's busy, you do share your room with strangers.)
If I can help further, please let me know. Oh, and I have some photos from there as well, so if you want them, let me know. They're summer photos, though.
Posted by Constipatron (Member # 3183) on :
Thanks for all the useful tips. I'll definitely put them to use! Quidscribis, I'm not sure I could actually go to the arctic, althought that WOULD be an interesting and beneficial trip. I would love to see the pictures you have to send me. Please send them. Maybe at some point I'll be able to travel a bit, but at the moment I'm strapped for cash. Thanks again. If anyone has anything else to share with me, please don't hesitate. :-)