The Rabbit Hole of Research.

I have found writing a book to be many things, two of those things being engrossing and nerve-racking.

Whilst in the midst of writing what you feel to be a good chapter, sometimes even making yourself laugh out loud with delight at how you’ve moved your plot along so well, the sheer wonder of it is magical. You are immersed in the world you have created and it is as real to you as the one outside your window, utterly engrossing and absorbing. The result of finishing this ingenious piece of writing? Sheer bliss – until you come to write your next chapter. It’s like second album syndrome, for how can your imagination possibly follow the brilliance of yesterday’s triumph today?

Answer – swerve the awful pressure of matching the achievement by diving into the rabbit hole of research. Oh but Stephen King says you mustn’t my inner voice says, having devoured his book on how to write a book some years previously and been guided by the advice that he so generously gave within the covers of that gift. You can do your research later he says, don’t let yourself get bogged down in it! Get on with your story! But the temptation Stephen, the temptation! And if you are writing historical fiction that is set against real events, you’d better get your facts and figures right before you get carried away on a Titanic that sailed from Portsmouth or have your characters eating Tiramisu in the 1940’s. Before you know it ten minutes have gone by without finding an answer, then another ten in annoyance at spending the first ten, there’s no way you’re stopping now since you’ve already wasted so much time searching, and so on.

Yes, the rabbit hole is incredibly tempting to dive into when you wonder how you will even begin today’s chapter, especially when a few clicks of the mouse will reveal the facts you need, or not as the case may be. I mean how difficult can it really be to find out when most British citizens came to have a home telephone as a matter of course? Answers on a postcard please if you know! As I saw one writer say on a post recently, 'thank heavens I write fantasy novels -I can just make the whole imaginary world up rather than doing any research at all!'

I’m afraid I do often give in to my inner Alice, following that rabbit in the firm hope he will reveal just the piece of information I need, which to give him his due, he usually does. Eventually.

Meanwhile, back to my next chapter…