Even in fantasy there’s research to be done. Since
my novels are set in the modern world, I first had to research the setting. The
climate, landmarks, high schools, population, all the way down to which beaches
are good for collecting seashells and how often the light on Annisquam
Lighthouse flashes (every 7.5 seconds for those curious). It was important to
me that these details were as accurate as I could make them so that the reader
would feel like he or she was in Gloucester, Massachusetts, right next to Madison.
My research didn’t stop with getting to know
Gloucester. I wanted the surnames of my characters to have meaning too, so the
characters whose families have lived in Massachusetts for generations have last
names of one of the families that had settled in that area back in the 1600s.
This is something most readers will never know, but it’s the type of detail I
like to include in my stories.
I did an equal amount of research on the paranormal
elements. Since I don’t want to give away any spoilers, and since my publisher
and I purposely don’t say what it is in the synopsis for Embrace (book 1) I’ll
simply say that I dug into the known lore to see how I could weave it into the
world I was creating. I studied the different myths, their believed weaknesses,
why people feared them, and how people protected themselves from the unknown. I
then put my own spin on them. Ones I hope a reader will enjoy.
That is so cool about the names! And even though I would've never picked up on that, I love knowing that there's so much depth to the research. Everything about Embrace felt authentic. And Hold Tight is soooo close to the top of my reading list. (Curse me and my slow reading ability.)
ReplyDeleteI'm a slow reader too. ;) And I'm glad you felt that way about Embrace.
DeleteI've just added EMBRACE to my to-read list on Goodreads! Your research on the paranormal elements of your book must have been lots of fun. It's great to know which parts of your novel you focused your research on (:
ReplyDeleteThanks for following my blog, by the way!
Sherlyn @ Mermaid with a Book
My pleasure, Sherlyn. It's a great blog!
DeleteHi Cherie, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
ReplyDeletehttp://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/
Thanks, Chris. I'll check out your blog.
DeleteYou're into the fun part- at least from my perch it is.
ReplyDeleteI love research. =)
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