Research Sources and Herodotus
Sound research is essential to crafting a believable story. In fact, I am a big fan of research, often finding the act of researching a topic – with all its side leads - enjoyable and informative.
Creating nuanced environment color and character voice requires a level of immersion that is necessary to craft a believable story. This is why my historical or myth-based works include an Appendix of cross-references. The reader is always encouraged to use the appendix as a springboard to research a topic in-depth and create their own opinions. (I believe in a Herodotus-like approach. In his Histories, he provided multi-faceted viewpoints on the same regional stories. The interpretation of history is often local/regional-based, with different groups interpreting the same events to their own benefit. History is in the eye of those who interpret it.)
Here are a few topic review venues that I have found particularly helpful, as they allow me access to a broad scope of materials.
• Online: The web can be an easy place to locate information. But I always hold to being cautious of blindly accepting the information and encourage writers and to cross-reference web content against other sources. You might be surprised at how slanted or shallow some websites are.
• Public Library: There is nothing so lonely as walking through stacks of books collecting dust on shelves in a public library. But it is here that many nuggets of information reside. Use the tools in the library to narrow your search or cross reference against published books listed in other references. (In addition to using your own public libraries, here is a link to an online public library. OverDrive: https://www.overdrive.com)
• Internet Archive: This site provides access to an international library of digitized books. I have found it essential for locating difficult to find cross-references, especially old texts. (Internet Archive: www.archive.org , Open Library: https://openlibrary.org)
IMPORTANT: The Internet Archive is a crucial resource that is powered by donations. If you find the library useful, please pitch in.
• Book Stores: Searching for specific titles can often find newly published and reprints of older texts. There are times when purchasing new or used books is perhaps the only avenue to accessing a refence guide.
Many will say: “These approaches are obvious.” Or “ Who wants to take the time looking across that scope of material.”
To them I say: “It has been my experience that few people take advantage of the breadth of reference materials available to them when crafting a story. Be open to the conflict inherent in research as such perspectives can enhance your story, lifting it from mundane to brilliant. Too, such research can provide ideas for new stories as well as supplying background; killing two birds with one stone.”
Creating nuanced environment color and character voice requires a level of immersion that is necessary to craft a believable story. This is why my historical or myth-based works include an Appendix of cross-references. The reader is always encouraged to use the appendix as a springboard to research a topic in-depth and create their own opinions. (I believe in a Herodotus-like approach. In his Histories, he provided multi-faceted viewpoints on the same regional stories. The interpretation of history is often local/regional-based, with different groups interpreting the same events to their own benefit. History is in the eye of those who interpret it.)
Here are a few topic review venues that I have found particularly helpful, as they allow me access to a broad scope of materials.
• Online: The web can be an easy place to locate information. But I always hold to being cautious of blindly accepting the information and encourage writers and to cross-reference web content against other sources. You might be surprised at how slanted or shallow some websites are.
• Public Library: There is nothing so lonely as walking through stacks of books collecting dust on shelves in a public library. But it is here that many nuggets of information reside. Use the tools in the library to narrow your search or cross reference against published books listed in other references. (In addition to using your own public libraries, here is a link to an online public library. OverDrive: https://www.overdrive.com)
• Internet Archive: This site provides access to an international library of digitized books. I have found it essential for locating difficult to find cross-references, especially old texts. (Internet Archive: www.archive.org , Open Library: https://openlibrary.org)
IMPORTANT: The Internet Archive is a crucial resource that is powered by donations. If you find the library useful, please pitch in.
• Book Stores: Searching for specific titles can often find newly published and reprints of older texts. There are times when purchasing new or used books is perhaps the only avenue to accessing a refence guide.
Many will say: “These approaches are obvious.” Or “ Who wants to take the time looking across that scope of material.”
To them I say: “It has been my experience that few people take advantage of the breadth of reference materials available to them when crafting a story. Be open to the conflict inherent in research as such perspectives can enhance your story, lifting it from mundane to brilliant. Too, such research can provide ideas for new stories as well as supplying background; killing two birds with one stone.”
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