by kristinoakley | Apr 17, 2018 | Conferences, Fictional Research, Newsletter
For me, one of the things that makes a good novel a great novel is when the author has done her research. Currently, I’m reading The Immortalists by Madisonian Chloe Benjamin. Her description of San Francisco in the late 70s/early 80s brought back vivid memories...
by kristinoakley | Feb 2, 2018 | Fictional Research, Newsletter
(Also known as “Help with Poisoning Cows – Part Two”) Novelists use a weird combination of imagination and reality when writing a book. Generally, if the novel doesn’t follow real-world logic, the reader finds it unbelievable and, possibly,...
by kristinoakley | Jan 26, 2018 | Fictional Research, Newsletter
A few weeks ago, I mentioned how the internet has made research so easy for writers. Need to know what birds would be flying around an Illinois gazebo in October? Google it (sparrows). Wondering how long a voice-activated bugging device can record? Google it (144...
by kristinoakley | Dec 22, 2017 | Fictional Research, Newsletter
One of the things I like best about writing fiction is that I get to play God by creating worlds and the people in them. Even so, my places and people have to be plausible. That’s where research comes in. Like most authors, I’m certain I’m on FBI,...
