Preparation – The Click of a Mouse

Fifty-five years ago I began serious writing using a pencil and then a Royal typewriter. There were other essential tools, too; a dictionary, thesaurus, and encyclopedia. There is (and always has been) a bookshelf within easy reach. Looking there as this is written I see my original Webster's New World Dictionary © 1955 and Roget's Thesaurus in Dictionary Form © 1961. Companion references regarding the art of writing fill much of that shelf. Above that are two shelves of historical and scientific references mostly from a lifetime of study in history and archaeology – things that are not available online.

When a writer's imagination is sparked, the first thing that should occur is jotting down an outline or synopsis of what the story is about, giving it a beginning and and end. That in turn suggests what research is necessary.

Several years ago I penned a story that involved the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico. The Jemez Mountains west of Sante Fe became the local. The Internet has become the Library of Alexandria in our time and provided a wealth of information about this area in the form of text and pictures. There was also some about the Pueblo people. As in all good references there will be a bibliography at the end pointing to other sources, but I felt the need to visit the area to  drive/walk the land and speak/observe people. Of particular importance was their religion. Problem! Much of their practices are considered sacred and they simply DO NOT discuss it.

Not discouraged, I returned to the Internet (and thank you Google for digitalizing books written in the mid to late 1800's) which provided insight into what I wanted. No, there wasn't the detail I wanted, but coupled with a background in archaeology and religion and noticing some correlations, I indulged in speculation and a bit of fantasy to produce a story with a realistic ring. (Perhaps too realistic because a couple of contacts in New Mexico wanted to know how I found out what went on in the kivas.)

However, a writer should be careful about inundating the reader with too much fact. Present enough to give an authentic flavor. In preparing a series on piracy in the early 1600's, this was not the swashbuckling idiocy of Jack Sparrow, walk the plank, and “avast there.” It was a whole lot more interesting. Columbus came to the New World and introduced slavery, disease, and decimation of the native populace. There were two types of natives – one would embrace you as a friend and invite you TO dinner, while the other cut to the quick and have you FOR dinner. Pirates were ruthless, yet there was a human. Historical events in Europe and the New World occurred to effect and encourage events in the setting (the Caribbean Islands). Sailing in a 100-foot, leaky boat was not a pleasure cruise. What a wonderful palette with which to work.

As an example, I became peripherally involved in the research for James A. Michener's tale, Centennial (1974). Here's a description as found online:

(Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org /w/index.php?title=Centennial_(novel)&oldid=621515363). 

“Centennial is a novel by American author James A. Michener, published in 1974.

 “Centennial traces the history of the plains of northeast Colorado from prehistory until the early 1970s. Geographic details about the fictional town of Centennial and its surroundings indicate that the region is in modern-day Weld County. Since the novel was written, the Denver suburb of Centennial has been incorporated, although its location in Arapahoe County is far from Michener's fictional town of the same name. Much of his book was based on the Weld County town of Greeley.

“Many episodes in the book are loosely based on actual historical events in eastern Colorado and southeast Wyoming, which for novelistic reasons are brought to a single locale. For example, "The Massacre" is based on the Sand Creek Massacre which took place in Kiowa County, Colorado in 1864. Other parts of the book are loosely based on a family from Sterling in Logan County.”

Don't think for a minute that the research for this novel was done overnight or entirely by Mr. Michener. However, there are very important things to note about what and how he used the research which is a good example of how to pull things together within the framework of a story.

The beauty about writing today is that it's all there – literally at our fingertips – as we write: our research notes, dictionary, thesaurus, references. If more detail about a person, place, or thing seems necessary as we write it is simple to make a note and research it later or switch to another working window, quickly look it up or reach to the bookshelf for the printed reference. (Yes, that is contrary to what others will say, but if you have the ability to hold the current story thought or have good notes/outline, go for it. More than once I have had an “Oh, really?” moment and immediately changed directions thus saving a lot of re-writing later.) Of course, if the information does not seem available, perhaps it's time to take a “vacation.”