Using the internet as a research tool - Unjinxed version

I have decided the last blog post was jinxed. Ergo, I have deserted it and am writing what I wanted to say there, only here.

We are to be wary about doing research for our writing online. However, I have been doing a surprising amount of it and have compiled a list (Surprise!). Here are some ways I think using the internet as a research tool can be effective in helping a person write what they know.

• Amazon (and other online book stores). Sometimes, there is that strange, obscure book you can't find in your local library or used book store. It is worth a shot trying to get the library to order one in. If that fails, try the internet.

• Finding that strange, obscure book. There are a number of book review sites or sites that list books related to a number of topics

• Youtube. Online videos provide a way of showing an event that cannot be experienced in real life. This could be a moment in history, a particular activity (to get the feeling of the moment - ex. watch the parents at a kids sports game vs fans at a professional sports game. The feeling is different).

• Podcasts and other voice recordings can help give a feel for accents and regional dialect, sounds of things (ex. church bells in a specific town, horse hooves on concrete (there is more than one type of clop), the sound of a tree falling).

• Online images. See how a place looks when it is raining, when it is snowing. How a person's hair looks when they are falling. A nervous smile. A friendly smile. A goofy looking donkey. The possibilities are endless.

• Online recipes. Learn how strange foods taste. Learn a fancy recipe. Learn a foreign recipe. Purposely burn something you normally like. Purposely add / remove an ingredient.

• Online catalogues. Order that unobtainable item. That thing that must be physically experienced, not imagined.

I know there is so much more. Does anyone have more examples?

Researching dialogue

When I was a girl, my mom used to put my hair in a ponytail to keep me from hiding behind my hair. Every morning, the first thing I'd do when I got to school was rip out that scrunchie.

There is something comforting in the ability to hide behind one's hair, when necessary. The feeling of hiding in plain sight. It works too. People feel more comfortable talking amongst themselves when you aren't staring them down.

The best part is, you end up coming across little gems like this:

I was at the book store, picking up Jeaniene Frost's new book (whoop! whoop!). As the lady behind the counter was ringing my order through, the boy at the till beside her suddenly got all flustered. A girl was walking out of the store.

Boy (to Lady): What's she doing here? Why is she leaving?

Lady: I don't know. Why?

Boy: I don't like her leaving when I didn't even see her come in.

Boy (to Girl): What are you doing here?

Girl (mumbling): Just checking to see when I work next.

Boy: I'd more likely believe you were checking the contents of my locker. If my Dora the Explorer alphagettis are missing -

Girl: I was hungry!

It was beautiful.

Dialogue Research Tips

• Don't be creepy. If you are listening to someone, don't look at them. That's creepy.

• If someone says something funny, don't laugh. You are technically reading the sign taped to the lamp-post.

• Don't jump in half-way and offer advice.

• Don't spread the gossip. Seriously. If someone knows you are an eavesdropper, they will avoid you. You never heard what was said.

• In line at the movie theatre works. Just shuffle around in your wallet / purse / look for your car keys.

• You don't have to do this with strangers only. You can listen at family dinners etc. Participating in the conversation has a bit of a nulling effect though.

• Walk on the safe side: listen to the radio.

More tips? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Diana Gabaldon at SiWC

Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series, the Lord John Grey series and numerous other novels, anthologies, non-fiction and other bits of writing presented on how to include research in writing at the SiWC.

Workshop Description:

I've Done My Research and Now You are Going to Pay. Join bestselling author Diana Gabaldon for a discussion on how best to do research and how not to dump it all over your story.

Here are my miscellaneous university student notes. She gave much more interesting information than this that I never wrote down, having heard similar tips on her podcasts, etc. I would highly recommend giving them a listen.

Historical fiction

• Details must have an emotional stake. You can include any interesting bit of information, as long as it moves the story forward. Don't just dump it in.

• Write not only for accuracy, but historical plausibility.

• Children's books are fact-checked much more thoroughly than books for adults - you can use them as a reference at times.

• Painters from the period can give you an idea of what people looked like.

• Visit museums.

• Diana has written with a goose quill pen / dip pen. Doing things like this can help you to "live" through a scene. Some artifacts will have a certain vibration when you pick them up - give you an idea what it would be like to hold it, use it.

• Diana collects old Southebys catalogues.

Period expressions will add to a story.

Recommended readings:

A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English

-Eric Partridge

The Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue*

*This book gives examples of low slang expressions.

-Captain Francis Grose

Good Dialogue

• Consider details important to the character. The way they speak is most important to the character.

• Different people use language differently.

• Use short sentences.

• An old lady and a 12-year old shouldn't speak the same.

Background

• Info dumps vs atmosphere.

• It needs to be focused on (filtered through) the character.

• Experience as the character.

• Something should happen (you want to use action).

• When using description, have at least one sense of action per paragraph.

Randoms

• Trews, waistcoats (pronounced westkits).

• Regional tartan sets - 1 weaver / area (usually men). Waulking = to felt wool. Women used to sing waulking songs to pass the time.

You can find out more about Diana Gabaldon at her website, or on her blog. You can find links to her podcast series on her website, as well as on you can find on iTunes.