Writing = Research

Writing = Research By S. Lander Marks Author of Artist’s Proof 2/19/09

Where do I start?

Breakdown your outline by theme, subject.

Define your character’s profile personality.

Autopsy your character’s history.

Determine location, era, time of day.

Create a master flow-chart, colored post-its or index cards

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND… then get crazy!

The Working Chart Central PLOT Character/s Color code your character/subjects . Theme/s (sub-plot) Define the inter-relationship between the plots. Location/s Define all the major event locations Personality defects, Tastes/Quirks, Family relationships, Illness, Religion, Personal features, Dressing style, Music, Moral compass. History, Pro-Con evolution, Off-shoot opinion, Extraneous results or consequences National/International consequences Time, date, era, history, tools geological, maps, sociological

GENERAL RESEARCH LOCATIONS

Local Newspaper and City Hall archives.

Historical society.

Publishers Weekly/Library

Local fraternal/business organizations.

Industry advocacy groups/unions

Google ALERTS: www.google.com

Where do I go for…

More Information on the subject: Find the original study, contact the author of the study, ask funded the research, what journal was it published in? Was the conclusion correct?

Famous/Infamous characters: Obituaries

Journal of Medicine, Medical School’s*

Hospital Surgery viewing (Lasik ctrs.)

Weird Science: Discovery Channel, National Geographic

War/Local ERA history: VFW Halls

Legal: Law libraries, Courtrooms, Jury pools

Theme research

Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Stanford)

National Center for Health Statistics

Annual Reviews

Government agencies: USDA, FDA

National Trade associations & Lobby Org.

Museums, University, College,

Religious organizations

Social Networks (live/internet)

Social Networks

Meet-up Used Book Stores

Linked-in Coffee Shops

Twitter Sporting Events/teams

AskDavetaylor.com Veterans Halls

HARO.com Doggie Park

Wordpress Volunteer @ an event

Facebook Nursing/Assisted Living

MySpace Political offices

Live Interviews

Prepare Top 5 questions.

Make contact list w/ phone and email.

Ask for the company spokesperson or PR liaison. (these folks are paid to talk.)

Outreach with a purpose and introduction.

PITCH: “I saw an article you published in XYZ magazine and I had a few questions for a research project I’m doing. (Use your company name when they ask who you are affiliated with). Where is this going? I’m compiling general ideas for a possible assignment on the subject of __________. Would you be willing to help me by answering a few questions on the subject of____?” If they hesitate or are uncomfortable , Is there someone you would recommend I speak with?

Characters-Subjects

HABITS: EATING. Allergies, ethnicity, favorite foods: (memories attached to the food memory experience=flashback) Restaurants: Go there and eat, take pictures, write down the smells, noises, atmosphere, presentation, waiters, price. Roach coach, buffet. Who certified the roach coach? What does the A mean on the health district sign? Who cooked it? CHEF? Gordon Ramsey/Hell’s Kitchen? Where? What did you drink with the meal, name the wine? The wine region, label, history. Did someone get sick? Hospitalized? How was the food in the hospital cafeteria? Did someone sneak food/alcohol into the room?

Is your character a HOME COOK? Watches Food Network? Loves Cookbooks/title/name of recipe/page, grocery stores, microwave.

So many ways to go, pick one or two, not all.

PROFILE: Cut and paste a person: Make an image from magazines. Hear the voice. Create a persona by visiting Classmates.com, Facebook or get out YOUR high school yearbook and that of your friends. Use Linked in to create backgrounds, work histories and character flaws of the people your character emulates, or the actual subject’s interests. Ask for interviews from experts in the industry. Talk to their secretaries, and co-workers, the security guard at the desk, the doorman of the building. Hire a taxi.