Tag: research tips

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Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for September Part 2

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, Brandy Brow, and Melissa Stroh, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!

“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”

Featuring…

How to Research for Fiction with Johnnie Alexander and M.N. Stroh

Writers Chat very own novelists, Johnnie Alexander and M.N. (Melissa) Stroh, share a wealth of information on research for fiction. They discuss common pitfalls to avoid and other helpful resources—like personality tests for your characters and drawing maps or street layout so you don’t mix up locations in your story. Johnnie and Melissa offer helpful tips on where to start research for your novel and templates to imbue your characters and story world with the needed realism to engage readers. For more information and resources, check out this week’s replay.

Watch the September 20th replay.

Johnnie Alexander is a wannabe vagabond with a heart for making memories. Whether at home or on the road, she creates characters you want to meet and imagines stories you won’t forget.

A bestselling, award-winning novelist, Johnnie has written over twenty-five novels, novellas, and short stories in multiple genres. She is on the executive boards of Serious Writer, Inc. and Mid-South Christian Writers Conference, and she co-hosts Writers Chat, a weekly online show.A fan of classic movies, stacks of books, and road trips, Johnnie shares a life of quiet adventure with Griff, her happy-go-lucky collie, and Rugby, her raccoon-treeing papillon. Connect with her at JohnnieAlexander.com and other social media sites via https://linktr.ee/johnniealexndr.

M.N. Stroh is fueled by her love of storytelling and history. She writes Christian Historical Fiction with an edge, to inspire the downtrodden and outcasts through adventure-laden escapes leading them back to their First Love, as showcased in her debut series, Tale of the Clans. M.N. serves as Director of Communications for Serious Writer Inc. affiliate, Writers Chat, director of Serious Writer Book Club, a member of ACFW, and Historical Society’s Interviews Admin Team. Connect with her at mnstroh.com and on social media.

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133

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History in the Making

Three Surprises I’ve Discovered in Researching My Historical Novels

History in the making

My fifth historical romance releases next summer. I’ve written nine others that are “pre-published,” most requiring months of research. All that digging into history to add authenticity to my novels brought three surprises.

The first surprise is that events probably didn’t really happen just the way history teachers taught them.

This isn’t necessarily because grade school teachers don’t want us to know the truth. They taught from textbooks that only hit the highlights. Teachers have a certain number of hours to prepare students for a test—they simply cannot cover everything.

This means that important details explaining why folks in history made choices that today seems incomprehensible aren’t included in the curriculum. Including those reasons does not condone behavior. Rather it sheds light on that period in history.

Textbook writers or teachers may also choose to omit facts that may upset children.

Whatever the reason, historical events probably didn’t happen exactly the way we learned them as a child. Begin researching for that next novel with this in mind. Try not to have preconceived notions about the time period. Study the information as if reading it for the first time. A fresh outlook also keeps an author from judging people who lived during that time period.

The second surprise I learned is to expect the unexpected when exploring history.

When researching for a novel, I try to discover history’s answers before I know how the entire story will go. I begin with a kernel of an idea but if actual events contradict that idea, I start over. For me, history dictates the story. I research to discover events, prevailing attitudes, and reactions of folks who lived through it. My story builds in me as I research.

There are always little-known facts associated with an event or historical period—what a joy to discover them. You may have to read books written during your novel’s era to find these obscure wonders.

For instance, I’ve written several Civil War romances. To understand the differing reactions and attitudes, I’ve read books by Union soldiers, Confederate soldiers, officers in both armies, nurses, Southern women, slaves who escaped, folks who had never been slaves, Southern wives left to run the farm, Northern women who raised money to support their soldiers, and more. These books, written during or shortly after the Civil War, were packed with unexpected treasures. Some of them fit into my story in a natural way. Others I put aside for a future novel or article.

The third thing I learned—this one from readers—is that adding surprises from history enrich the story.

For instance, there may have been holiday traditions lost in time. Including these in our novels enhance readers’ enjoyment. It brings a sense of nostalgia.

Did you find a period map of your setting? What a treasure! Add locations and descriptions—if you find them—of train depots, post offices, farmers’ markets, stores, schools, and street names. Such details add depth for readers, evoking emotional responses … especially if they have a family connection to the book’s setting.

People are still people in all walks of life, in every time period. Their reactions to circumstances vary with their personality, not history.

Understanding that events may not have occurred as we remember learning it in school, expecting the unexpected as we research, and including historical surprises in our novels will take readers on a journey.

And don’t we all love an adventure from the comfort of our home?

Award-winning and Amazon bestselling author Sandra Merville Hart loves to uncover little-known yet fascinating facts about our American history to include in her stories. Her debut Civil War Romance, A Stranger On My Land, was IRCA Finalist 2015. A Rebel in My House, set during the historic Battle of Gettysburg, won the 2018 Silver Illumination Award and was the 2018 Faith Hope and Love Reader’s Choice Award second place finalist. A Musket in My Hands, where two sisters join the Confederate army with the men they love, releases November of 2018. Watch for her novellas, Surprised by Love in “From the Lake to the River” releasing in September of 2018, and Trail’s End, in “Smitten Novella Collection: The Cowboys” releasing in August of 2019.

Find her on her blog, sandramervillehart.wordpress.com.

Categories
Child's Craft

Nonfiction for Kids Is BIG!

In the publishing world nonfiction is a hot item at this time. For both children’s magazines and books (especially picture books) nonfiction has more publishing options than fiction. So, if you love research, writing nonfiction might be the way to go.

Current children’s magazines are always looking for great nonfiction pieces. But they must be well researched, well documented and well written. If you are an illustrator or photographer offering visuals with your magazine articles is a huge plus.

Whether for books or magazines however, there is one critical rule to always obey: 

Present only verifiable facts. Do not add any made-up conversations or situations to your nonfiction manuscripts. Adding such imaginary bits transform your manuscript from nonfiction to informational writing, or to historical or bibliographic fiction.

nonfiction for kids

TIPS

Many of the techniques we use in great fiction also make for great nonfiction. Here are a few tips:

  • Start with a blast—jump into the article with a true anecdote, amazing facts or questions.
  • Add humor—even heavy topics can become appealing by adding a little humor.
  • Surprise!—adding elements of surprise will keep our readers tuned in until the finish.
  • Zero in on the unusual—especially with familiar topics we need to keep researching deeper and deeper until we find something unique, brand new, curious or little-known about the subject of our article or book.
  • Use dynamic language—strong verbs and nouns, and a strong voice can make nonfiction just as riveting as fiction.

REMEMBER

  • Document all sources you use with complete bibliographic information. Photocopy the actual pages you use from magazines and books. Print out information you get from websites.
  • Avoid online information and encyclopedias, if possible. Emphasize facts you get from books on your subject.
  • Use the most recent research available.
  • Stick to verifiable FACTS.
  • No anthropomorphism.
  • If your research is boring to you, your article or book is going to bore readers. Choose subjects you find interesting.

DIG DEEPER

For tons of great information about writing nonfiction for kids check out these sources.

The Institute of Children’s Literature Podcasts also available FREE on iTunes.

SCBWI The Book for members of SCBWI.

Mentors for Rent  (searchable)

Nancy I. Sanders (searchable)

Evelyn B. Christensen

Creative Nonfiction

Celebrate Science “Behind the Books: Finding Photos for Nonfiction Books”

Jean Hall lives in Louisville, Kentucky. She is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary. Her premier picture book series Four Seasons was recently signed by Little Lamb Books. Jean is a member of the SCBWI, Word Weavers International, and the Kentucky Christian Writers. Visit Jean at jeanmatthewhall.com, on Facebook at Jean Matthew Hall, and on Twitter as @Jean_Hall.

Categories
History in the Making

A Hidden Treasure for Historical Writers

Map of Chattanooga and Brown's Ferry by Brigadier General Wm. F. Smith, 1863

By Sandra Merville Hart

 Maps are hidden treasure for historical writers. If you haven’t used this key source of information to add authenticity to your novel, it’s worth investigating.

A treasure chest full of information can be found on old maps. Authors find railroads, waterways, and roads. How close was the town to a river? Often a little digging leads to showing the size of a city and street names.

One of the first things I look for when researching a new historical novel is an old map. It’s important to find a map dated the year of or before the setting year. Anything later runs the risk of expansion/decline, referencing businesses not there at the time, and the like.

That brings us to another wonderful feature of detailed maps: location of homes and especially businesses. Knowing the name of a mercantile or the street where the post office resides sparks reader interest, especially those familiar with the area. Such details add depth if referenced in a novel.[bctt tweet=”You may find the greatest treasure hidden in plain sight. #Author #History”]

A railroad depot in town offers an exciting setting for a scene, maybe in that sagging middle. Perhaps someone comes to visit the main character at the train station or the protagonist travels from there on a day’s excursion. These tidbits reveal that era’s everyday world.

A careful study of these maps may show where Widow Matthews lived. Maybe the widow goes to church with your characters or makes the best apple pies around. A manufacturing company or mill on the map may employ a character’s family member.

If possible, visit the area during the research phase of the novel. Walking the streets in the oldest part of town or eating at a diner gives a sense of a town. Local museums can hold a wealth of information not commonly known. Ask questions. It’s always fun to find a knowledgeable person on local history. Listen to their story even if it doesn’t directly pertain to the novel; maybe some fact will capture your imagination.

When researching for historical novels, don’t overlook maps. You may find the greatest treasure hidden in plain sight.