Ask the Author: Natacha Pavlov
Answered Questions (1)
Natacha Pavlov
Hello,
In my experience so far, it's a mix of reading and taking ample notes on academic and history works, watching documentaries, conducting interviews, and traveling to locations, when possible.
"How much" depends on what you need to know to make your setting and characters come alive, and as the story itself evolves. In that sense, the evolution of technology may be useful in providing the answers needed.
Researching can easily be a neverending process though, especially if you're enjoying all the learning, so at some point you'll just have to pause that and switch to actually writing your book. Another reason for that is, as great as learning is, you'll also soon come to realize that you can't (or don't need) to weave all that material you've come upon into your story, although it may offer opportunities for interesting twists in your work.
That's where I say the ever-active intuition comes in, to guide you in researching, then writing, and continuing the process as needed. As a Christian, my spiritual practice is crucial, and guides my next steps—indeed, nothing gets done without it (Philippians 4:6-7).
In my experience so far, it's a mix of reading and taking ample notes on academic and history works, watching documentaries, conducting interviews, and traveling to locations, when possible.
"How much" depends on what you need to know to make your setting and characters come alive, and as the story itself evolves. In that sense, the evolution of technology may be useful in providing the answers needed.
Researching can easily be a neverending process though, especially if you're enjoying all the learning, so at some point you'll just have to pause that and switch to actually writing your book. Another reason for that is, as great as learning is, you'll also soon come to realize that you can't (or don't need) to weave all that material you've come upon into your story, although it may offer opportunities for interesting twists in your work.
That's where I say the ever-active intuition comes in, to guide you in researching, then writing, and continuing the process as needed. As a Christian, my spiritual practice is crucial, and guides my next steps—indeed, nothing gets done without it (Philippians 4:6-7).
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