Write what you know. A
soccer game, taking a splinter out. Usually boring.
Make a story rich as you take them on a journey. Any time I
read something I need to provide the details. Details give an authenticity to a
book. Accurate details instill trust in your books. When you get it wrong you can suspend your
beliefs. Here is a compilation of resources.
If used correctly, details can add depth to your story.
Chicago down by Lake Michigan has super fierce grandmas, with glasses, red
lips, and wear black.
If you go to Georgia they serve the kids first. Here let's take care of the kids. Even at
ward parties. An interesting tidbit of information.
What do people take for grant it? Is there a war that she
takes for grant it.
Journal of 1812, add it had no comments to the war. It had
been going on for so long she took it for grant it.
Natives are the first generation born to Australia.
What do people talk about and how do enunciate? Make sure it
is appropriate to the time period. Did a word exist? Some characters use bad
language? Even naughty words that are used. Swear words are different. It is regional.
1811 dictionary is authentic.
Calves are born in the winter of February, not spring.
Know jobs and hobbies.
Knowing a job as in a glass blower. Make it authentic.
Falconer talks to falconers.
Bee keepers need to talk to bee keepers.
Yard sales are not what they have in Minnesota. They have
tag sales on Wednesdays. Culture is important.
Idaho has a rodeo is
important. She queened with me. What do they celebrate and how.
Oakley has a giant boom on the morning of July 4th which is
dynamite.
Texas has a huge homecoming month.
Rumors play a nice place in a novel, Kay's Creek Crossing --
a haunted tree.
No uniforms in the early period of jails.
Clothing is important. Historical or science fiction. Regency
novel pair of dirty britches or missing jacket is probably poor. Right clothes for right time period.
Medieval Underwear and other
such things.
Greek Orthodox Church doesn't sit down. The priest sings and chants the whole time. What does your
character worship? Are they the only person that believes this way? How does it
effect his life?
Boston streets are narrow. No one has a garage.
Fireflies are cool.
The air is filled with spices for South Africa.
There is that book that has too much setting. It can take you out of the story.
Almanacs are super cool to find setting.
Writer friends that travel.
Maps are a great place for diagrams.
Don't be afraid to ask medical experts.
Teachers know a lot and what they don't know they know where
to look.
Ask waiters with foreign accents.
People love to answer questions about themselves.
Document and save the stuff I've researched. So that you can
defend your work.
