Research is so much fun

[Kelliezgirl]

My current story somewhat revolves around a sailboat, and I've kept a variety of pictures of the boat in question on my second monitor when I write.
I've watched a few dozen videos of people sailing her, and read way too many articles on nautical terms.
I'm sure some sailor is going to call me out... oh well.

 

[JGittes]

.....

Right now I am starting a story where a vampire wakes up after going to ground in 1864. Getting the right terminology that she would use is fun in itself.

.....

Something to remember is that she wouldn't have known about transcontinental train travel, let alone airplanes. Before 1869, it took at least four months to cross the continent to the West Coast by horse or wagon, and it could have taken much longer by sail.

The problematic part about historical fiction, or transporting someone from the past to now, is forgetting what you commonly know now. Most people were illiterate until the rise of public education in the late 19th century. My father was the first person in his family to graduate high school in the 1930s. In the US, university education was a privilege afforded only to the wealthy elite until after WW2 and the GI Bill. In the UK, mass attendance at university didn't happen until the 1980s and 1990s.

 

[MrPixel]

My current story somewhat revolves around a sailboat, and I've kept a variety of pictures of the boat in question on my second monitor when I write.
I've watched a few dozen videos of people sailing her, and read way too many articles on nautical terms.
I'm sure some sailor is going to call me out... oh well.

The main thing to know is the poop deck is not where the head is located.

 

[WhiteTailDarkTip]

I do enjoy it when it comes up. Right now I'm trying to get a handle on the available technology in Europe circa 1910. Cars, electricity, medical care, etc.

David Mitchell was asked (IIRC) what one thing he’d like to take with him in a visit to the past and his reply was ‘antibiotics’.
I think one of the biggest differences between then (or even thirty years ago) and now is privacy.

 

[WhiteTailDarkTip]

My current story somewhat revolves around a sailboat, and I've kept a variety of pictures of the boat in question on my second monitor when I write.
I've watched a few dozen videos of people sailing her, and read way too many articles on nautical terms.
I'm sure some sailor is going to call me out... oh well.

But at least you tried

 

[LonRivers]

Something to remember is that she wouldn't have known about transcontinental train travel, let alone airplanes. Before 1869, it took at least four months to cross the continent to the West Coast by horse or wagon, and it could have taken much longer by sail.

The problematic part about historical fiction, or transporting someone from the past to now, is forgetting what you commonly know now. Most people were illiterate until the rise of public education in the late 19th century. My father was the first person in his family to graduate high school in the 1930s. In the US, university education was a privilege afforded only to the wealthy elite until after WW2 and the GI Bill. In the UK, mass attendance at university didn't happen until the 1980s and 1990s.

I haven't gone very far at all on her backstory. Right now it is not an important part of the story. But I eventually plan on her being the local schoolmarm, and once she awakens, and "rejoins" society, she becomes a teacher, and meets up with my MC, who happens to be one of her mortal descendants. I am plotting out a few good flashbacks scenes that will help fill in some of the story.

When I go into a historical or period piece, I usually try to find out as much about an area that I can. This includes any local information, state wide and even customs that I may find interesting to add in.

 

[SimonDoom]

To be honest, I feel somewhat lazy after reading the OP's post and others. I do NOT do much research for my stories, and I think it would be fun to give it a try. I pretty much write what I know (or think I know!). I don't choose exotic settings that I have to research. My stories typically are set in modern times and in anonymous urban settings that are similar to what I'm personally familiar with.

It could be a fun challenge to take on: write what I DON'T know.

 

[Jackie.Hikaru]

My new story, it's set in Seoul and a K-Pop group. I know K-Pop, but the more I get into the story the more I need to research.

If you ever need k pop song recommendations I'll be your huckleberry

 

[Rustyoznail]

My current story somewhat revolves around a sailboat, and I've kept a variety of pictures of the boat in question on my second monitor when I write.
I've watched a few dozen videos of people sailing her, and read way too many articles on nautical terms.
I'm sure some sailor is going to call me out... oh well.

Calling @onehitwanda ...

Most of my stories have had some research involved, ranging from "could a uni student afford an old Range Rover?" to conditions Australian Army nurses had to work in during WW1.

I like the challenge, but it's easy to disappear down the rabbit hole.

 

[SamBomb]

If you ever need k pop song recommendations I'll be your huckleberry

I'm using fake band names for the bigger bands, like XOX and DARK PURPLE. What I need to find still is songs to give the group that are more slutty.

 

[onehitwanda]

I'm sure some sailor is going to call me out... oh well.

There'll always be someone who will... but it won't be me

 

[Rustyoznail]

There'll always be someone who will... but it won't be me

But I'm sure you'd give Kellie a hand if she asked.

Edit - with research...

 

[Wonderer67]

I like the idea of researching and creating a city and culture.

I’ve only written a handful of stories, and they’re sewhat brief, so not a lot of background. But a little bit to make it as realistic as possible.

Back in the day when I would play role-play games, I would love coming up with cities and worlds!

 

[Kelliezgirl]

There'll always be someone who will... but it won't be me

I've kept things purposefully vague.
My characters adjust the sails. I'm not trying to throw a wall of nautical text out there, and I suspect real sailors would prefer vague to wrong.

 

[onehitwanda]

I've kept things purposefully vague.
My characters adjust the sails. I'm not trying to throw a wall of nautical text out there, and I suspect real sailors would prefer vague to wrong.

100%. I'll forgive vagueness, I won't forgive someone saying that a crew of one could set the sails of an age of sail Brig (I'm looking at you, Robert Louis Stevenson)

 

[StillStunned]

100%. I'll forgive vagueness, I won't forgive someone saying that a crew of one could set the sails of an age of sail Brig (I'm looking at you, Robert Louis Stevenson)

I've seen Pirates of the Caribbean. I know you need at least two people for that.

 

[onehitwanda]

I've seen Pirates of the Caribbean. I know you need at least two people for that.

And a parrot - unless you want to suffer a Parroty error.

 

[StillStunned]

And a parrot - unless you want to suffer a Parroty error.

You must be thinking of Parrots of the Caribbean.

 

[onehitwanda]

You must be thinking of Parrots of the Caribbean.

Beautiful plumage.

 

[StillStunned]

Beautiful plumage.

Pining for the fjords.

 

[StillStunned]

I'd watch that movie, by the way. A flock of parrots swooping around, harassing everyone, including a sparrow and a swan. When they're not bothering other birds, they're singing sad songs in Norwegian.

 

[BellaBestia]

For my story The Muse I wanted a modern retelling of the Greek myth of how the god Hephaestus caught his wife the goddess Aphrodite and the god Ares in an adulterous tryst. I researched a bit about smith forging since Hephaestus is the god who forged all the armour and weaponry of the gods. I knew absolutely nothing going in and it is a big part of the story I had to do some research. Not a lot as I can easily become obsessed with a topic and research too much. Also did a bit more in-depth study of the original myth and some of the symbolism. I think using the subject-correct terms is a kind of shorthand, and releases the need for long expositions about an action or plot point specific to that subject.

 

[Jackie.Hikaru]

I'm using fake band names for the bigger bands, like XOX and DARK PURPLE. What I need to find still is songs to give the group that are more slutty

Those names are Perfect
Here are some song ideas. Caveat, I did not check to see if these are real titles:

Cherry blossom lips
Bang my heart
My kitty loves u
2 girls 1 coffee
U my suga doll

Genie rub my lamp.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

100%. I'll forgive vagueness, I won't forgive someone saying that a crew of one could set the sails of an age of sail Brig (I'm looking at you, Robert Louis Stevenson)

I actually made sure that the boat in question was one that was designed to be single handed. It's an important plot point.

https://dragonfly.dk/dragonfly-40

 

[StillStunned]

I actually made sure that the boat in question was one that was designed to be single handed. It's an important plot point.

It sounds... phallic.