Unconventional Research for Writing your Novel

Me actually researching for a novel...

Some people love it, and some people hate it, but it is almost a complete necessity for writing a novel or any story. Hours and days of your life spent on Wikipedia and Google chasing the rabbit down the hole.

It does not really matter what you are writing or for which genre. If you are into fantasy, maybe you want your sword types to reflect a certain culture. Let's say medieval Turkey. The problem is that you have zero idea what type of swords the Turks used in the 12th Century. So, you enter the world of wonder that we call the internet.

36 hours later, you are an expert on medieval Turkish swords, Turkish military tactics, Turkish pants, Turkish philosophy, and funny cat videos. All from visiting wiki pages and sites about history. That is pretty conventional research.

What is unconventional research then?

Let's say you are setting your novel in a location you have never been. In a part of the world, you have never been. Yes, you can read about it all you want, but that is a poor substitute for actually going there and taking in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of a location (now don't go around sniffing people and licking windows in foreign countries).

Travel, especially international travel, is expensive and risky with the Corona Virus wandering around or because you would be travelling alone. A lot of people do not have the time or money to go to the exotic locales they dream of for their stories. They also don't have the experience, or a death wish, to travel to some countries.

I am one of these people. In this case it is more due to the travel restrictions than anything else.

For my current project, Caribbean Gold, my characters are travelling to numerous locations in the, you guessed it, Caribbean. The problem is I have never been to the Caribbean. I obviously want to go. I mean who wouldn't? Right now, it is easier said than done.

Since I cannot get there, the question becomes: How do I capture the sensory experience of the islands of the Caribbean?

Answer: Unconventional Research or UR.

Much of this might be common sense for some of you and is something you do regularly. However, some writers who are just starting out might need a pointer or two. 

My Versions of Unconventional

My versions of UR are YouTube videos, travel guides, podcasts, and personal accounts of people who have travelled to my location. These may not be that unconventional...

My intrepid treasure hunting teams finds themselves in Jamaica toward the begging of the narrative then the Dominican Republic. I wanted to throw in details that made the locations authentic and real, especially if someone who reads my novel has travelled there. To do that I started watching YouTube videos where people film their experiences in these countries.

I looked for consistent small details like what side of the road people drive on, the types of vehicles, if the videographer described certain smells, are there markets with people hawking their wares, road conditions, vegetation, decoration, horn honking, types of music on the radio, is their garbage on the street, etc. Even if the person making the video does not actually point these things out, they can still be observed.

After finding a few and writing them down, I added them to the story and to me that brings the location to life. It is the next best thing to actually being there. 

The same details can also be found in travel guides. These can be found at every bookstore and online for cheap, especially if they are outdated. There are little tips in them about what to do, what to avoid, local customs and laws, and various other tidbits that could help authenticate your location.

For example, your story takes place in the fall in an agriculture heavy country where they have traditional holidays celebrating the harvest (does anyone do that anymore in any country?). Maybe there are particular decorations lining the streets or people wear certain colors. 

This is good stuff to know when you write, otherwise people will be able to see your lack of research. If you take the time to learn and incorporate the little details, the readers experience will be richer, and your credibility will be higher. I always thought Michael Crichton, the author of Jurassic Park, was particularly good at the little details.

Then we have podcasts. I am always listening to podcasts while I work out, while I clean, while I drive, etc. Some are merely for to keep my wandering mind entertained, and others are beneficial for research. Sometimes I don't even know that they will be.

I was listening to a podcast called "Unexplained" and the particular segment was a story on still living dinosaurs (not Jurassic Park). The presenters mentioned stories and details that I had never come across in all my research on the subject. I was amazed and recorded the information with hastily scrawled notes on an envelope.

I was not actually researching anything at the time, but I thought the detail from this account could be useful in a future story. I didn't know what the story was going to be, but you never know. Always be vigilant for details! They don not necessarily have to be related to what you are working on right now.

Finally, there is no experience like first-hand experience and if you can't get that then you can go to someone who has. Reach out on social media to people you know and see if they have been to your location(s). Think of the questions you want to ask and then ask them to the willing. 

You can even reach out to experts in relevant fields, people who have some sort of expertise in a certain country or geographic region. Make sure to have well thought out questions beforehand and be polite. Do not be disappointed or mad if the response is later or non-existent. Be patient and understanding. 

Some people don't have time for your shit.

Final Advice

I asked about unconventional research on Quora (I am guessing you have heard of it) and received a few responses so far. While some were what I expected to hear, one stood out to me in its wisdom and simplicity. 

The novelist Penny Grubb responded with "Reading is great, but not all research is reading...look out for opportunities everywhere, including where you least expect them."

As you develop and grow as a writer, you will encounter these opportunities and if you are smart, you will capitalize on them. 

In fact, I am sure that you will.