Yes, this is pretty much what my desk looks like whenever I write at the moment, covered in reference books. I'm working on a novel that involves a lot of research. Like, a lot. And guess what? I LOVE it! I never thought I'd say such a thing. Once upon a time, most of my fiction was contemporary for what, I believed, was a simple reason: there was no need to research the world around me. Easy! (Shows how much I knew.)
But over the years, I've written more and more novels set in an historical context. I totally flunked out of my History A-level. I knew it had been a disaster even as I walked out of the exam room. My 'E' grade hurt and I switched my brain off to history for, ooh, the next 20 years. I wasn't clever enough, my grade was telling me.
Interestingly, over those years I was an enthusiastic readers of biographies. I loved hearing about how people used to live, my imagination lit by the details of meals shared, clothes worn - not by the machinations of power bases beyond my ken. I don't think I'm different to most people in that respect. We engage with the human aspects of history.
And so eventually I was asked to write a historical novel. I threw myself into it. I loved the research, visiting museums, buying books, scouring the Internet. I'm now on my fourth historical novel and this is the apex of my research so far. I thought I'd share a few hints and tips about what I've learnt. I'm no expert, but this is where my stumbling path has led me:
The Internet
There's a fabulous quote about internet research from someone whose name I can't recall. It runs thus, though I'm undoubtedly paraphrasing: 'The Internet is a great place to start your research and a lousy place to end it.' I couldn't agree more. Your first port of call is inevitably the place you can access from your keyboard whilst lolling on the sofa. But as your research deepens, you'll realise how many sites are duplicating untested information, how thin that veneer is. The more you try to dig, the more your spade hits against stones. Use the Internet to inspire you and as a recourse for spontaneous moments away from the manuscript, but don't let it be your departmental head. It's more like the cocky student showing off in the university bar. Listen, learn, move on.
Illustrated Non Fiction
Oh, how I love a well-illustrated reference book. A person can learn so much from looking at lush pictures. When book chains are failing and Amazon can only show you so much of a book's contents, I frogmarched myself to Foyles and bought every decent book on my topic that I could find on the shelves. All of this is tax deductible, so there's really no excuse not to invest in your research. And if you don't have the ready cash, visit your local library. Ah, libraries...
The Specialist Library
Find out if there's a librarian who can connect with your research topic. Now, you're talking! A visit is essential, if you ask me - it helps the librarian get to know you, care about you, want to help six months down the line when you email with an infuriatingly tiny detail that needs researching. A good expert librarian knows everyone in the field who knows anything about your topic. Ah, experts...
Ask Someone Who Knows
There's a really straightforward way of cutting to the nub of research: find an expert and ask them a question. I have been blown away by the number of people who are not only willing but enthusiastic to help, often providing much more crucial information than I ever asked for. This is, I'd argue, one of the most thrilling moments of research. A conversation, an answer, another simple question ... and suddenly a whole new aspect of your novel has opened up. The novelists of this world owe a huge debt of gratitude to the academics of this world. Where would we be without them?
What I've enjoyed most about this process is touching base with the academic world again for the first time since leaving university. Pursuit of knowledge. It's a marvellous, empowering, generous thing. I feel humbled in the face of it. I've also learned to stop feeling as though I don't deserve it. That A-level 'E' grade was so much nonsense that got in the way of years of enjoyment. I'm glad that writing has allowed me to rediscover the pleasure of the past.
It's such a shame your E grade held you back from history for so long, Karen. And so good that you overcame it in the end. I think the single most useful things I learned about research when I did my PhD was wise advice from my supervisor - 'you don't need to know everything or even most things. You just need to know who to ask.' Yes, experts are the best resource. I have an Oxford professor of epidemiology, a policeman, and a consultant pathologist all advising on my vampire series. It's great, people are so generous with their time and knowledge.