Today's optional IWSG question is "What is the weirdest/coolest thing you ever had to research for your story?"
This is a great question! All stories require research to a certain extent; even if speculative, it is often based on aspects of the real world. As writers, we can be led down by some pretty strange and intriguing avenues. Neurology was a key part of my novella A Change of Mind, in which an introverted man undergoes brain surgery to make him more confident. Of course, such procedures aren't actually available (and hopefully they won't be!), but I still had to research the parts of the brain that control our emotions, reactions and personalities. Really informative stuff.
I'm sure there's more, but that's the one that springs to mind (pardon the pun...)
In terms of insecurities, I'm doing pretty well. I thoroughly enjoyed the A-Z Challenge this year and was pleased to get a great response to the snippets from my forthcoming trilogy. Now I'm going to gear up for the release of the first book, looking at cover art, tour schedules, and everything that comes along with it. Nerve-racking, for sure, but hopefully in a good way. I'm going to try and enjoy it!
What are your insecurities this month? Have you joined the IWSG yet? Check out more posts here.
34 comments:
Glad you got a good response during the Challenge.
And hopefully that procedure is never a reality.
Ni Nick - your A-Z was fun ... I enjoyed reading your character (mostly) driven snippets. Now good luck with the first book in the trilogy and as you say all that goes with it ...
That research must have boggled your mind a little - I learnt so much re the brain since my mother had her strokes ... but I wasn't researching it!
Not in the IWSG but most of my blogging friends are ... so I visit - cheers Hilary
I didnt actually have to do any research on my challenge actaully.
I have a weird insecurity, i always feel that the person i love will go away with someone else and leave me devastated, thats why I get defensive and hurt so many people.
i am not proud of myself though
Click Here to see what Mrs. Dash Says
Congrats on finishing the A-Z Challenge. Great post today. Did you find in your research, by chance, the part of the brain where procrastination hides? I wish there was a procedure to zap out that annoying habit because that's my insecurity at the moment - will I ever finish learning about self-dubbing?
The brain is really fascinating. That's great that your writing gave you the opportunity to research it. You're certainly busy with A-Z and now getting ready for a book launch.
Congrats on completing A-Z! And excellent on getting such a good response to your posts. :)
I wish I could have participated in the A to Z this year... Well I guess I contributed a guest post or two, but this was definitely a season of life the challenge would have killed.
Brain research, now that's fascinating stuff. Beats the pants off of melting a body. (Yeah, I did actually research that. You'd be surprised how LITTLE information there is on the internet about that.)
I'm glad you enjoyed the A-Z experience. Good luck with your upcoming release!! Take care.
Have you ever read the story of Phineas Gage?? You need to read about him:) It would be perfect for your research. And it's super interesting. I used to teach a chapter on the brain to fifth graders. Awesome stuff!!
Good luck with the book coming out, Nick! Glad it was a good A/Z experience for you too! Work precluded me from reading a lot of A/Z blogs this year; I think I only caught one or two of yours but did enjoy what I read.
betty
Yo survived the A-Z, you're the man!
When you're ready for release, hit me up and I'll lend you my blog for the day.
That's good the response.
A lot of work to prepare a book but worth it if you enjoy the ride.
I love doing research, I could spend hours and hours reading up on things. It's one of the best parts of being a writer! Congrats on finishing the A to Z challenge :)
Glad your brain research yielded results.
I'm so glad you had a good response during A to Z!
Your research sounds like it was fascinating.
Happy May writing!
I love researching mood disorders, and psychosis. I'm weird that way.
Glad you survived the A-Z; good luck with the books release :)
You make a good point. I think some people think if you write speculative fiction, you just make everything up. Which is so not true.
Hey Nick, finishing A to Z is huge. I did about 70 percent. Just too much going on. So again Congrats! to you on finishing.
I look forward to reading your book as i have really enjoyed the snippets.
Best wishes,
Moon
https://aslifehappens60.wordpress.com
It's a little late, but congratulations on completing the challenge, and nice work on your Black and White snippets!
I always worry if I have to research anything too weird or serious. Hubby works for the government and I don't want to jeopardize his career by trying to figure out how to make bombs out of fertilizer or how to fight with a knife.
I'm glad that operation doesn't exist either. Congrats on completing A to Z. I think you did a great job with it. I really enjoyed your snippets.
Every good story should be rooted in some kind of facts even if the story is so fantastical that it mostly comes from the imagination. Get one thing wrong and one person in the know can start ripping a story to shreds. A credible author can draw a reader into the most outlandish story if they present it the right way.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I REALLY missed not doing the A-Z this year. First time in a long time, but it just wasn't in me to do. Glad your A-Z was good.
Oh if it were only possible to have an operation to get rid of shyness!
OOH . . . sounds like very interesting research! The human brain sure is fascinating!
Good luck with your release!
Ooh, brain-related research sounds intriguing. So many interesting things to learn -- there are never enough hours in the day!
Great post! My most interesting research was into bondage gear. What we do for our characters, eh? They 'appreciated' my effort if the resulting story is any evidence. I'm pleased with the results, at least.
~grin~
Also, reading some of the comments, I'm happy nobody I know works for the government. Happy writing!
I'm glad you enjoyed the A-Z. I read several of the posts and enjoyed them.
I love seeing some of the things that people end up researching for their books. I once spent a long time researching serial killers and became kind of paranoid someone would see my search history and think I was up to something. And for last year's NaNo I ended up researching the history of fertility treatments and the future of genetic engineering. That was interesting.
Cait @ Click's Clan
Congrats on finishing the A-Z contest. Aren't ya glad it's over? And yeah...research can lead us down some nefarious paths.
Guh. Insecurities. If there is one insecurity, it's the fact that I'm always striving for time to do ANYTHING. It always makes me feel like I'm behind.
I'm glad you're not feeling too insecure. Mine ebbs and flows--well, mostly flows.
Please visit my blog to see if you've won a prize. (Hint, you did!) theresamilstein.blogspot.com
Post a Comment