Several months ago when I decided to novelus attemptus I thought it would be prudent to conduct a bit of research of the area I would write about as well as a few other subjects pertinent to the storyline. I am a novice at novel writing. Let me make that perfectly clear up front.
I took a day off from work. I packed my camera, laptop and other miscellany in my backpack and hit the road early one November morning. I drove north … past Duluth. The day was sunny and cool. A truly beautiful and inspiring autumn day. I really enjoyed the drive. My excitement was boundless, I was on my way to do research for a novel.
Research–a novel idea if one is going to write.
I’ve never written a novel. I’ve never done research for fiction writing. I was flying by the seat of my pants. I spent the entire day combing the area of interest for my setting. I drove around the nearby town to get a good feel for it. I bought souvenirs at the tourist shop. I watched and listened to folks around me. I soaked it all in. I wrote out some notes and devised a list of questions I felt needed answers. I took photos until the battery in my camera was drained. I felt as though I’d accomplished a lot.
I headed back south as the sun was setting. The drive home was exhilarating … I had some ideas … the stars were shining brightly … the planets were aligned. All was good. When I got home I decided to send an email to the caretaker of my chosen story setting. I hoped to garner some factual tidbits to make the story more believable. I had a list of thirteen questions, which I didn’t think delved too much into the ‘personal.’ I sent the email off and waited.
A mere three days later I was thrilled to see a response from the individual. I opened the email and began reading. In less than one minute I’d gone from excited to bummed out. Most of my efforts had been thwarted. Of the list of thirteen questions, seven received “no comment” as the response. Seriously. A couple more had only half answers. The rest of the information was helpful, but mundane in its essence.
I questioned my ability. I mean, if I couldn’t even get answers to questions how could I possibly write anything that came close to seeming real? And I know, as a reader, if something seems not believable I tend to put the book aside.
Damn. Now what do I do?
And the cherry on top of the proverbial sundae? The closing line of the email stated, “Since it is fiction I am sure that you will not need the detail of information you are asking.”
Really? You can’t tell me which law enforcement agency has jurisdiction over your site? Really? That’s too detailed?
I was disappointed. Then I got a bit angry. Maybe I was misguided in thinking I could do this writing thing. Perhaps there was a super secret writer’s method for conducting valid research that I, in my authorial infancy, had not yet learned? I wondered if I should just give up or wait until I’d been properly trained (if there was any such training.)
No. I would not be stymied.
A few days later I got the answer to a couple of the questions that this particular individual wouldn’t answer on the basis of it being too personal … I contacted another resource and explained why I was asking the questions. Within a day I had clear answers. I also did some online research to get some information on law enforcement in the region. So, despite the dragonslayer taking a slash at me, I prevailed (for the most part.)
Still it rankles … “no comment.” It’s only fiction, after all. Right?
Wrong.
There is truth in fiction … at least that’s what I believe.
