Fantasy writers: do you ever feel paralyzed by the need to research before writing?

1 Answer

Answer :

One of the main rules of writing is to write about what you know. If you are writing about a time period you aren’t familiar with, there is a chance that inaccuracies will detract from your work. I just finished reading an ‘alternate’ history that has aliens on earth during the mid 16th Century, and there are a few changes, such as Jane is Queen, but many accurate historical references make the story that much more enjoyable.

Related questions

Description : Writers, how do you prepare for a big story before writing?

Last Answer : I wrote ideas on index cards, which I then taped to my bedroom wall. That way, I could add, take away, and move around scenes easily.

Description : Writer's dilemma: Is writing a collection of short stories as good as writing a novel?

Last Answer : Personally I don’t enjoy books of short stories, I like thick books I can get invested in.

Description : Is it true that writers don´t really like writing?

Last Answer : answer:I love to write, it's the process of creating that is a struggle. When in the flow it's sublime, but when blocked it's a nightmare. I am constantly challenged with the polarities. If I ... all I have for quite awhile to come, while waiting on new material to float into my consciousness. :-)

Description : Writers, how do you feel when an idea suddenly crosses your mind?

Last Answer : I feel and have learned to know that if I don’t get the idea down in writing—even just a snippet of the idea—I’ll lose it. Can’t even begin to guess how many ideas for poems and stories have vanished forever because I didn’t do that.

Description : Can you use "you" when writing a research paper ever?

Last Answer : answer:I have no explanation (in terms of writing techniques) for why I would not do that, other than a gut feeling of that I don't want to burden my reader with a feeling of ... whole Imagine thing alltogether. When the reader reads he/she will (probably) auomatically use his/her imagination.

Description : The Guide to Writing a Research Paper

Last Answer : Research is a very important part of schoolwork, as well as academic life. Research is done by students and teachers alike to present new ideas and discoveries in many scientific fields. A research ... favor. Make sure to use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Submit your research on time.

Description : Writers: can you just sit down and write or do you need inspiration first?

Last Answer : A little bit of both.

Description : Writers: Do you ever get stuck on subjects, topics, or projects that really aren't publishable?

Last Answer : National Novel Writing Month https://www.nanowrimo.org/ One write for oneself not for others. If you enjoy writing then go for it and the continuous writing is the goal of not stopping as ... after someone made his books into movies ( Michael Crichton..wrote Jurassic Park, Westworld and more).

Description : Is it possible to put a complex faux history or cosmology or spiritual system into a novel, or series of sci fi / fantasy novels?

Last Answer : Asimov did it with his Foundation series. Heinlein did it in some of his longer novels. And of course JK Rowling did it in all of the Harry Potter books. It’s certainly possible to do, but you have to spend an enormous amount of time on consistency and detail, or it all falls apart.

Description : Sci-fi/fantasy magazines to submit stories?

Last Answer : I cannot be very helpful other than to suggest that you examine the stories that are published; reading them carefully will give you a good idea of what is considered acceptable. You can also estimate the word count.

Description : Looking for a list of classic books with the subject of child fantasy worlds/exploration?

Last Answer : The Secret Garden? Charlie And The Chocolate Factory? Treasure Island? The Famous Five? or The Secret Seven? P.s : Good Luck, and let us know how it’s going. : )

Description : Can fantasy novels be taken as seriously as regular fiction?

Last Answer : Is there really a difference?

Description : Anyone familiar with where I can get a free fantasy world map creator?

Last Answer : What exactly are you looking for? A random world generator, or a tool that makes drawing maps easier? I'd just draw it myself, with some actual maps for reference. If you're bent on making ... pangaea continent first and then made sections of it drift apart. I love plagiarising the real world. :P

Description : What science fiction or fantasy world would you live in and why?

Last Answer : The Whoniverse, travelling in my own TARDIS. Life would be so exciting, plus I could get the winning lottery numbers before they called them. Ladies dig a guy with money.

Description : Why is there so much unimaginative fantasy?

Last Answer : Because it sells.

Description : How do writers come up with antagonists philosophies?

Last Answer : That's part of the job of a writer. They have to devise all sorts of scenarios and envionments in which their plot will fit. A lot of it is imagination, probably with some research thrown in. ... invented the grammar and syntax of an entire make-believe language as well. Bottom line: It takes work!

Description : How frightening is Writer's Block? Share your stories, please.

Last Answer : So you want to hear about our experience with writer’s block, offer advice for us, or hear our stories for your personal project?

Description : How can the search on "amazon.com" be narrowed to search for all the male writers of mystery, thrillers, and suspense?

Last Answer : I don’t think that Amazon has an author gender search. Although it is an intersting thought. I can think of several categories where women write better fiction than men, and vice versa.

Description : What are the common problems people have when hiring and working with freelance writers?

Last Answer : Freelance writers may be temperamental. They may not be used to meeting deadlines and producing a finished product on time. They may not be familiar with contracts and obligations. Depending on what ... non-fiction, instruction book, etc.) the writer may not work well and creatively under pressure.

Description : Are there any interviews you've watched with writers that inspire you?

Last Answer : Yes. This 35 minute interview with David Mamet on why he went from extreme left liberal to staunch conseravative. It blew my mind. He is an incredibly rational guy.

Description : Do you think writers should be allowed to swear in their works?

Last Answer : of course, you fuck

Description : Writers: Would you submit your novel to a contest that will edit, illustrate, publish, market and sell your book for you if you win?

Last Answer : What’s the downside? Sure I would do it.

Description : Why do some writers address someone as Lord M.?

Last Answer : It’s a Victorian convention. Sometimes in old novels, the year is listed as 18__ or a street as S__ Street.

Description : Writers: Do you prefer to write in first, second or third person?

Last Answer : answer:I like to write in third person, but I’m trying to write a current project in first person. I’m not sure I know what writing in second person looks like.

Description : Writers: how do you write a poem?

Last Answer : answer:Poetry is soul-vomit, written with shaking hands and tear-stained pages. There is no system.

Description : Should writers claim income for work done while on welfare?

Last Answer : It’s payment not getting ready to make money, no revenue while writing it. Therefore, no foul, or nor income.

Description : Writers: do you find this article helpful?

Last Answer : Rule number 8 is the best.

Description : Bloggers & Writers: What's your typical time frame?

Last Answer : I hope someone answers you, @gambitking. There are many people on Fluther who maintain nice blogs.

Description : Writers, how do you teach a budding writer?

Last Answer : Read read read novels by good writers. Try Somerset Maugham

Description : People under age 25, what do you know about science fiction novels and writers?

Last Answer : I just turned 26. I was never into science fiction reading, only movies. The only books I’ve heard of were the Dune series. I remember it being really popular.

Description : Do writers have more self-doubt than professionals in other fields?

Last Answer : answer:I can't give this opinion for myself because I'm not a writer, but I am creative and do other things like draw, paint, model, photograph, design, and people are naturally our own worst critics. I too ... are naturally depressed ... I can't explain it, but it seems to be true. I don't know.

Description : Why do screenplay writers hate adverbs?

Last Answer : answer:Thank you. I complain about this all the time. It isn't just screenplay writers it seems to be many many people in the US. They have forgotten about adding ly to the end of a word. How many ... bit by mosquitos, never bitten. And, they would have forgot to add ly to the end of the word.

Description : Recommend an online community of writers?

Last Answer : http://www.zoetrope.com/ Formed by Francis Ford Coppola, a champion of the short story form, but it's also a great place to give and receive feedback on all forms of writing, including long ... site over the years and they report that the people here are incredibly supportive (and brutally honest!)

Description : Who are good English romance writers (any type of romance)?

Last Answer : answer:Victoria Holt Georgette Heyer Mary Stewart Catherine Cookson and of course, the 19th century greats: Jane Austen Emily Bronte Charlotte Bronte

Description : Is there a particular way professional writers read their work out loud to the pubic?

Last Answer : I think you’re on to something. I don’t have any data to back you up but I have noticed a similar thing when hearing writers read from their works – even poetry – on the radio.

Description : Are video game writers required to have a basic knowledge of programming and game development?

Last Answer : answer:It is hard to break into that industry even if you do have the programing skills; I know a few people who have tried. But yes, it is entirely possible to get into the field without any programming skills.

Description : What is new in the 7th edition of A Writer's Reference?

Last Answer : Link to Amazon or something please?

Description : Yes it was clever. But was Samuel Johnson's advice to writers correct?

Last Answer : I don't take the quote completely literally-I think it means, Don't fall too deeply in love with your own work and thus lose objectivity about its value. If you want to test this, write something you ... 'll wonder how you could have thought it was so good and want to rewrite at least part of it.

Description : How do you get over writers block? (music wise)

Last Answer : Ask outside opinion. If you record what you've got you could send it to me and I could make some suggestions, or get some of your musical (or non musical) friends to tell you what they ... of the stagnating mush in your brain that comes from only listening to things within your comfort zone. xx

Description : What famous writers use Twitter?

Last Answer : Stephen Fry for one.

Description : What does a Freelance Writer's Portfolio look like?

Last Answer : I am not a freelance writer, but I think it could be any of the things you describe – make it your own, you know?

Description : Essay writer's block....Tips?

Last Answer : God and Evil or Good and Evil? I know why you're bumming - too much fluther. I get that all the time. Get your bum off the internet and onto the essay itself. But there have been ... just this morning about Abraham's sacrifice for example). A lot of the biblical questions here might help you.

Description : To all the writers out there, how do you write an article?

Last Answer : The writer should be able to attribute any assertion the article makes to someone or some source, so s/he has to do at least that much research, or interviewing. Then s/he has to know the audience - one would ... . Then s/he has to write clearly, for which one piece of advice is say it, then quit .

Description : What do you do when you have writer's block or are in a design rut?

Last Answer : Stay away from writing and design work (yours or others) - Get lots of sleep - Listen to music - Get outside. Do this for a few days (or a week), and keep a notebook and pencil handy. As ... whatever), jot or sketch them down (quick and loose). They will not be complete ideas, but - inspiration.

Description : Do you think self-help writers are really experts about the subject they write about or is it just a job?

Last Answer : answer:it’s all a scam. self-help writers don’t really say anything. throw a few words like “success” “positivity” “empowerment” “goals” around you can get rich.

Description : What are some of your favorite sites for free-lance writers?

Last Answer : http://freelanceswitch.com/ is pretty good for writers and designers.

Description : IF you are clear about not writing "Me is going out " or "Him has a date tonight," why do you then feel comfortable with the plural "Me and my boyfriend are doing such and such"?

Last Answer : How I write and how I speak are entirely different. I often think to quickly to form the proper grammar. I usually am correct, but I speak the moment I think of what I want to say. I gave up a long time ago on trying to filter that.

Description : How do I get down to writing when I don't feel like it at all?

Last Answer : Hey James! I have never put much stock in inspiration'... for me it all starts with perspiration it is a discipline and lots of research usually the research sparks that 10% inspiration. I just wake ... has inspired many, many poems just get started - the juices WILL flow and so will the ink.

Description : Can you provide me with some Fantasy writers?

Last Answer : She might like the Space Trilogy by C. S. Lewis.

Description : What should I do before writing a book to gain some reputation?

Last Answer : What is your skill or area of expertise?