This could probably go into an FAQ section. A lot of times, I’m asked how much research do I do for my books.
The easy answer is: It depends on the book. Some require more research than others do.
Here’s the thing.
I like to research things. I can easily get lost in Google searches and following tangents until what I’m looking at bears nothing to the original search. So what do I do?
Honestly, I start writing. When I need to know something, I look up that thing. For example, in Navajo Rose, I needed to know some police scanner codes. I did a Google search on that phrase and got a pretty good list on various scanner codes used in law enforcement.
Doing research like this keeps me on track and I don’t go off on very many tangents.
It should go without saying that if I’m writing anything historical/semi-historical, I do a lot more research up front, but I do enough to get going and then look up whatever else I need to know.
I’m still hoping to find an old map of Ireland, the older the better.
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