research
writing

Research, reading and developing my writing

23rd July 2019

Research

I’ve learned that writing a book involves a lot of research. It is not just about writing.  Trying to put my book together one word, one sentence at a time. There’s a whole world in my head but getting it on paper is a challenge.  I could sit down and tell you all about it.  Actually writing it is something else, worldbuilding and creating believable characters.  My reader has to want to read it and not give up.

The genre that I will usually read is a crime thriller.  I have purchased ‘The Time Travelers Wife’ all in the name of research. This is not a book I would normally read and the print is very small. I’ve been told that it is a good book so I do need to make the effort.  I had borrowed it from the library but I didn’t read it on time.  It had been reserved by eight other readers.  If my book is this popular then I will be happy.

As I write I’m becoming more aware of how little I know.  Reading and research are essential here, but I also need to understand it.  I think a Science Fiction expert would be very frustrated with me, trying to explain parallel and alternative universes. Black holes and white holes.  Despite being fiction the book needs to be authentic. So, the true Science Fiction reader is not getting frustrated with errors and plot holes.

So, why did I start to write a Science Fiction novel when I’m not an expert? Here is my short story, The Secret Time Warp.  This is what started me down this road as I realised that it had potential beyond 1000 words.

Cambridge University

I have been writing about Cambridge University UK.  One of my major locations.  I’ve never been there, and I’m sure that visiting is not as simple as turning up and trying to find the science labs.  I could ask a friend to take a lot of photographs and describe the atmosphere or phone the university and make an appointment. However, it is about two to three hours drive. So, I’m now thinking of creating my own university.   I had been using Cambridge because that is where Professor Stephen Hawking was.  He is the true expert on time, though he believed that we can not travel backward as it goes against the laws of physics.

So, what else have I been doing?

I am still doing Facebook live,

Today and what I’m planning for the week – 16th July 2019

Blogging, writing, holidays – 20th July 2019

I am trying to keep up with my reading but admittedly I’ve not been reading Science Fiction and I need to.

I’m still doing Camp nano wrimo and have written over 16000 words so far this month.  My novel is now nearly 49000 words, yes still a lot of writing until my first draft is finished.  A long time before I can print it off and put it in a drawer for a while before the work of editing starts.

I have still been writing stories on my blog, just muddling through life. 

It is hard work to balance everything and keep up.  I was reading another blog last night that said you should be able to write a 100 000 first draft in six to nine months.  I’m assuming that this is writing full time without small children and writing a blog or two. I’ve found that my writing has slowed down, but most of my initial ideas are on the page.  It is now developing and continuing to create.  It is also finding the time to read and do the necessary research.

Today

It is the school holidays and I was planning on taking the children to town.  The UK weather today is about 28 degrees so we are staying indoors where it is cooler.  We were watching the My Little Pony movie together but my six year old has just cut her hair.  The sight of blonde hair falling on to the chair just made me tell her off.  I now have a crying six-year-old. My eight year old is demanding dinner and he wants it now.

As for me, I hope to get another blog post written and maybe a Facebook live later if the children let me.  I’m now off to work out what is for dinner, it’s only 12.00.  The children seem to eat more when they are not at school.  They are always hungry.

For more see, Writing and the writing flow

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