Researching Your Setting - video

Details like newspaper headlines and articles displayed in shop windows add richness to a story, which is why mystery writer Cara Black loves to travel to locations like Paris whenever possible. The ability to take time and record the sounds and activity is invaluable in conveying the place and moment--even if a short trip is possible. Sometimes novel reserach can bring unexpected surprises and gems that find their ways into stories. For example, Black was once given a manuscript from 1400--a mistake made in an archive. When life hands you interesting details, how can authors not use them?
Share this story
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn
  • What if you don't have the luxury to travel to the place you're writing about?Especially historical sites. In my case, I'm writing a vampire novel that starts in the Civil War era of Southern Louisiana. I know, it's been done-From "The Vampire Chronicles" to "Twilight". However, mine is from a Christian's POV.Basically, asking the question "What if someone was thrusted into the world of a vampire through no fault of their own and they were forced to walk the earth in darkness for millennia to come,taking human life to sustain their own? Would they be, inevitably, damned? Would God punish that person on the Day of Judgment for something that was entirely beyond their control or would He give them a second chance to redeem themselves if they had the desire to repent and fight for their redemption? Anyway,that's sort of besides the point. Just giving the, overall, point of the story. I need someone to collaborate with who knows about the time period I'm writing about and the the subject matter(which includes the Catholic Faith,especially Communion and Biblical Prophecy. And, of course, vampires).Someone who is educated in Vampire lore and how it can fit into Biblical history and prophecy would be ideal.Like I said,I don't want this to be just another, typical, vampire story. The last thing I want it to be is another "Vampire Chronicles" or "Twilight". One thing that disappointed me about Twilight was the fact that it had the perfect opportunity to turn a simple vampire teen romance into something much more. And it failed to do so. My vision is to write something that uses fictional elements to teach a moral lesson--A parable, if you will. I'm new to the ALC. So, any advice any seasoned ALC authors could give me would be greatly appreciated. God bless
  • This important in writing. When I gather information, I better recognize the people I am describing, giving better descriptions to the readers. The readers become more involved in the book this way.