I know what you're thinking -research for fiction? But it's made up!
Well, yes some of it is, but in some cases (like mine) authors draw on factual experiences, history, or use some bit of real information as a springboard to write their book.
I started with a vague idea of what I wanted to write about, a story about two women. These weren't ordinary women, they were single, they were moms, and they were witches. I wove Southern history into my story as I wrote and included many other realistic bits and pieces into my story.
This, of course, required research. While I put my own spin on just about everything, I wanted to ensure that there were still real facts to help the not-so-real part seem convincing - does that make sense??
I was lucky enough to attend a conference about putting the science in science fiction. These authors really did their research! Speaking to NASA and chemists about "what-ifs" and "why would it??" THAT made good fiction!
In my book, there are loads of historical facts and what some may consider benign information - but it all required research. The fun part is what you get to do with it. The hard part is making sure it makes sense to someone who is a specialist on the topic!
Witches for instance. What kind? Real faith based Wiccans or totally made up movie type ones? I chose Wiccan. For me, it made it more realistic. I certainly wouldn't want to offend anyone, so I did a ton of reading and have some suggested authors below.
Another topic for research was bees. I researched how mead was made, how beeswax was removed from hives, how a beekeeper would dress, and so on. What they do with it all was up to me, but I wouldn't dare make up something about beekeeping and have a reader call me out on it!
So there you have it. If you plan on writing any sort of fiction, make sure you do your research!!
Wiccan Reading Suggestions:
Kate West: "The Real Witches Handbook"
Ellen Dugan: "7 Days of Magic: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for the Bewitching Week"
"Garden Witchery: Magick from the Ground Up"
Scott Cunningham: "The Truth about Witchcraft Today"
" Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs"
Dorothy Morrison: "Bud, Blossom and Leaf: The Magical Herb Gardener's Handbook"
Silver RavenWolf: "HedgeWitch: Spells, Crafts & Rituals for Natural Magick"
Well, yes some of it is, but in some cases (like mine) authors draw on factual experiences, history, or use some bit of real information as a springboard to write their book.
I started with a vague idea of what I wanted to write about, a story about two women. These weren't ordinary women, they were single, they were moms, and they were witches. I wove Southern history into my story as I wrote and included many other realistic bits and pieces into my story.
This, of course, required research. While I put my own spin on just about everything, I wanted to ensure that there were still real facts to help the not-so-real part seem convincing - does that make sense??
I was lucky enough to attend a conference about putting the science in science fiction. These authors really did their research! Speaking to NASA and chemists about "what-ifs" and "why would it??" THAT made good fiction!
In my book, there are loads of historical facts and what some may consider benign information - but it all required research. The fun part is what you get to do with it. The hard part is making sure it makes sense to someone who is a specialist on the topic!
Witches for instance. What kind? Real faith based Wiccans or totally made up movie type ones? I chose Wiccan. For me, it made it more realistic. I certainly wouldn't want to offend anyone, so I did a ton of reading and have some suggested authors below.
Another topic for research was bees. I researched how mead was made, how beeswax was removed from hives, how a beekeeper would dress, and so on. What they do with it all was up to me, but I wouldn't dare make up something about beekeeping and have a reader call me out on it!
So there you have it. If you plan on writing any sort of fiction, make sure you do your research!!
Wiccan Reading Suggestions:
Kate West: "The Real Witches Handbook"
Ellen Dugan: "7 Days of Magic: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for the Bewitching Week"
"Garden Witchery: Magick from the Ground Up"
Scott Cunningham: "The Truth about Witchcraft Today"
" Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs"
Dorothy Morrison: "Bud, Blossom and Leaf: The Magical Herb Gardener's Handbook"
Silver RavenWolf: "HedgeWitch: Spells, Crafts & Rituals for Natural Magick"