Ella
asked
Bec McMaster:
Hi Bec, what kind of research do you do for your Steampunk books? And if you used books or websites as research which ones did you use?
Bec McMaster
Hi Ella,
Lots of research over the years (: Probably the best part of it were the 6 months I spent in London in 2008, wandering down alley ways, poking through castles and museums, and reading a million and one guide books.
Most of it I do online. I live in a small town in country Australia, so my local library is practically non-existent for the types of books I'd need. There are ridiculous amounts of info online, and steampunk websites, and FB groups. Also, I'm writing alternate history steampunk, which means taking ideas and running with them - aka using your imagination. I don't know that I can narrow it down, as most of my research goes into obscure questions hammered into google, like, "underground rivers in London", or "steelworks in victorian era in London." I tend to see something, then find out all these interesting facts that send me off on a wild goose chase, but usually provide an alternate idea, or something to use later on.
The story always comes first, and if I know something needs more work I basically highlight it in red, then move on, to come back and hammer out the facts when I've finished the dirty draft.
As to books, a few memorable ones include: The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose, The Pitkin Guides for Life in Victorian England, Fashions of the Victorian Era, etc. but these were older books I haven't looked through for a few years. Watching TV shows helps put you in the era/alternate era as well: Peaky Blinders is not quite the right era/area, but is pretty cool. The Sherlock Holmes movies with Downey Jnr give the right kind of setting for what I'm interested in writing. So it's a little bit of all of that.
Cheers,
Bec
Lots of research over the years (: Probably the best part of it were the 6 months I spent in London in 2008, wandering down alley ways, poking through castles and museums, and reading a million and one guide books.
Most of it I do online. I live in a small town in country Australia, so my local library is practically non-existent for the types of books I'd need. There are ridiculous amounts of info online, and steampunk websites, and FB groups. Also, I'm writing alternate history steampunk, which means taking ideas and running with them - aka using your imagination. I don't know that I can narrow it down, as most of my research goes into obscure questions hammered into google, like, "underground rivers in London", or "steelworks in victorian era in London." I tend to see something, then find out all these interesting facts that send me off on a wild goose chase, but usually provide an alternate idea, or something to use later on.
The story always comes first, and if I know something needs more work I basically highlight it in red, then move on, to come back and hammer out the facts when I've finished the dirty draft.
As to books, a few memorable ones include: The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose, The Pitkin Guides for Life in Victorian England, Fashions of the Victorian Era, etc. but these were older books I haven't looked through for a few years. Watching TV shows helps put you in the era/alternate era as well: Peaky Blinders is not quite the right era/area, but is pretty cool. The Sherlock Holmes movies with Downey Jnr give the right kind of setting for what I'm interested in writing. So it's a little bit of all of that.
Cheers,
Bec
More Answered Questions
Rez
asked
Bec McMaster:
I love your books! Finished 'Kiss of Steel' (my fav) and 'Heart of Iron'. I can't wait for Leo and Aramina's story. These two captured my attention in Book#1 and I've been dying to catch a glimpse of them in the sequels. I've to say I'm totally intrigued by the duchess, she acts so calm and cool with a sense of mystery. Will we be able to see any spoiler chapters?
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more