You asked about research. A ton of it goes into writing a novel. Even though it’s fiction, any use of real places, events, situations, professions–you name it–has to be accurate.
Just to give you an idea, although the end result of any of the following research might be one sentence or paragraph in a novel, here are some topics on which I spent many, many hours for recent writing projects:
*hamster illness, symptoms, treatments
*European battles of World War II
*buildings and streets in a specific city
*underage drinking laws, penalties, methods of arrest or detainment in specific states
*construction of sleighs
*specific urban artists and galleries
*evacuations of high schools in emergency situations
*agriculture including orange groves of inland California from 1970s to the present
*snakes as pets
*engine problems and repair costs specific to 1960s pickup trucks
Random, huh?
anytime you need some information regardng animals illnesses, I have tons of medical books on snakes, hamspters, chinchilas, and so on.
I love research. I have had to do it for over 10 years now, so it’s become a part of my life. I went to the Smithsonian to write my Great Grandfathers book again, using his actual journals he donated to them in the archives. I love the archives there. So many pictures of things, and writings of people…
I also love researching all the places I go visit. I do it for weeks before I go. Like Chester in July. It is the oldest city in England, and it is walled in. There are several castles on the property and old churches. Some of the best dining in England is there, too. They have a monster botanical gardens with a zoo, as well, but this zoo is not one I will go see; it’s concreted in. The artists in this area all have a section of the town that they set up their work in. There is so much more I have learned about it, but I am sure you get the idea.
Research makes it real.
Ooh, ooh… I know about snakes as pets! 😉