Today I have the pleasure of having Margot Kinberg guest post on the blog. Margot is a mystery writer (her newest, B-Very Flat has just been released.) But Margot is also a mystery novel expert—and I don’t use that word lightly. If you check out her blog, Confessions of a Mystery Novelist, you’ll see what I mean.
One of the first steps in writing, at least for me, is figuring out the major events in the plot. Since I write murder mysteries, that means deciding who is going to be the victim, who is going to be the murderer, and how and why the crime will be committed. Once I have those basics settled, I start adding detail and then I begin drafting what I write. One of the big advantages of planning this way is that it helps me figure out where I can use knowledge that I already have, and where I need expertise that I don’t have. Then, it’s time for me to do my preliminary research. That’s one thing I really enjoy about writing, because I always learn.
I call it “preliminary research” because I’ve found that I do research throughout the writing process. Probably the easiest way to explain how I do research and what I learn from it is to give you a look “behind the scenes” at the research I did for B-Very Flat, my newest novel. As soon as I’d decided who my victim was going to be and had thought about the kind of person she is, I decided she would die of anaphylactic shock caused by a violent allergic reaction to peanut dust. That meant I had to learn about anaphylaxis and peanut allergies. I was lucky in my research, because I have a close friend whose son is dangerously allergic to peanuts and peanut products. She was kind enough to give me lots of helpful information and some extremely useful web sites (e.g. http://www.peanutallergy.com). Lesson learned here? Ask around. You probably know someone who has answers you need.
Then I realized that someone with such a severe allergy would probably not knowingly eat anything with peanuts in it, so I was going to have to figure out how the murderer would expose the victim. That led me to do some research on peanut flour. I found out some fascinating information, too. For instance, you may not realize it, but many, many products use peanut flour; ready-to-serve spaghetti sauce is just one example. There are some helpful online sources for this, too, as well as some online places where you can buy peanut flour. It’s more popular than I thought, too; many people like peanut flour because it’s high in protein.
I also realized that someone who’s seriously allergic would probably carry what’s often called an Epi-pen. It’s a dose of epinephrine, which counteracts the effects of a severe allergic attack. I didn’t know much about Epi-pens or other auto-injectors, so I visited several online websites that sell auto-injectors. Not only did I get the information I needed about how they work, but I also found some high-quality photos of them that allowed me to get a helpful mental picture. Lesson learned here? The better you know your characters, the better you’ll know the kind of research you need to do. It wouldn’t have occurred to me to do any research on peanut flour or auto-injectors until I learned more about my victim.
Now I had the background I needed to start drafting my book, so I got busy with my writing. As the book progressed, though, I realized that my research wasn’t done. Not at all. So I also learned along the way that it’s important to be willing to stop at any point in a book and get your facts straight before going any further.
Here’s an example. Part of the evidence that points to the murderer in B-Very Flat comes from video surveillance film – the kind that stores use to prevent shoplifting. Well, my husband used to be a retail manager, but that was many years ago, and I knew that surveillance procedures have changed a great deal since then. So I visited a few local businesses and got some updated information about how they protect their premises and employees.
I faced a similar challenge when I was planning the part of my book where the murderer is brought in for questioning. I wanted to get my facts straight about exactly how that happens. So I visited our local police precinct. My visit there taught me a lot, and it was helpful to see how a station is laid out. Again, I got a mental picture that made writing that part of the novel easier.
My local research was a very positive experience. Several helpful people took the time to answer my questions, tell me a little about their work, and set me straight where I was wrong. For that, I’m grateful. Lesson learned here? Don’t be afraid to tap local businesses and other community resources. Go. Visit. Ask. Most people are flattered at your interest in their expertise, and are only too happy to give you answers. Especially if you tell them you’re a writer who’s doing some research.
So how did I benefit from doing the research for B-Very Flat? The plot got stronger. For instance, once I learned about peanut flour and how and where to buy it, I was able to develop a whole set of scenes and action sequences that I hadn’t thought of adding. I was also able to include a few characters that I think add to the flavor of the book.
I also got unexpected opportunities to tell people about my writing. That’s sometimes quite a challenge for a writer, especially a writer who’s not a “household name.” But I found that when I told people why I wanted the information I asked for, they got interested in what I do. “Oh, you’re a writer? What do you write? Is it on Amazon?” Lesson learned here? It is really worth the time and effort to do some research when you write. The plot gets stronger and more believable, and you get the chance to spread the word. On, and carry some business cards or a flyer about your book(s) when you go out to “get the facts.” People pass those things around.
Doing research for a book can be time-consuming. It can also feel as though one’s not really making any progress. After all, making progress on a book means writing, right? Not driving around, interviewing people, looking up things on the Internet or going to the local police station. But the fact is, research helps make a book richer and more real. It teaches one a lot, and helps one make lots of important connections.
Thanks so much for guest blogging today, Margot! And for the excellent reminders on researching—and the promotional opportunities it can afford, too.
Tomorrow, the talented Cleo Coyle will be guest blogging a special Valentine’s Day-related post: Genre Blending and Your Character’s Love Life. What defines a mystery? A romance? What should you consider when blending genres? Please pop by and join us.
Elizabeth – Thanks for letting me “hijack” your blog today : ).
Very enlightening post. Research does add so much to a book. I never knew peanut flour was used in spaghetti sauce. Enjoyed the post Margot and Elizabeth.
Great information, Margot. I like researching for anything because I like the learning process. To use information that you have researched for a plot is very exciting. I found as I get older that I know more than I think about various subjects. It’s fun to weave my own experience into a story.
Great post.
Mason – Thanks : ). I found that I learned a lot just by doing some basic research. I didn’t know that about peanut flour, either, until I started doing my “homework.”
Journaling Woman – Thanks : ). Whoever said research is boring ; )? It really is fun, too, isn’t it, to put something you’ve learned from your own experience into your writing. Another way of weaving yourself through a novel.
Jan – Oh it *is* a great job! You’re right, too, that doing the research just feeds curiousity : ). That’s one thing I love about it, too : )
Margot – Elizabeth and I have a standing joke that we pick up cosmic vibes for blog topics. It seems it might have rubbed off on you; I dealt with research on my own blog yesterday!
However, I’ve been able to plot books without knowing exactly who died, how he died, or even who killed him. It makes for a fun ride, and I do research as I go.
Terry – Oh, how funny that we would both pick up on the same “topic vibe.” Maybe it’s Elizabeth’s wonderful room in our online “writing house.” : ).
It’s funny you would mention researching as you go. I’ve found that being open to that is really valuable. When my plot takes a particular turn, or I go back and change things, I have to do the same thing. Flexibility is key, I think, to creating a high quality novel.
Elizabeth – I’m glad you find this interesting : ), especially since I’ve “unpacked” in your “living room” for today : ).
Diane – I find exactly the same thing! Very often, I don’t know, either, what I’ll need to research until I get to a certain point in a story. I also find that sometimes, what I find out from researching influences the storyline. I think the two are integrally related.
Carrie – I really like researching, too. I think that’s mostly because I love finding things out. I suppose natural curiousity is an occupational hazard when you’re a mystery writer…. ; )
Helen – Thanks! I agree; the popular idea of research is that it’s an unpleasant chore. And it can be time-consuming, too, so lots of people put it off. But I’ve found it really does open doors, as you say. It keeps me curious, and I think curiosity makes books more interesting.
Teagan – Thank you : ). I’m excited about the book, too! You’ve expressed that very effectively, too, I think – writing a good mystery novel is a blend of creativity and real facts that make the story more believable. Hence, research… ; )
Excellent idea: having one of my favourite bloggers write a post for another favourite blogger :D
I also enjoy researching for a novel, but so far I have been a bit reticent about asking my very knowledgeable colleagues. As you know, I am not a published author yet, and it has taken some courage just to admit I am writing. So it is a useful lesson that actually many people like helping authors.
Dorte – Mange tak! You are one of my favorite bloggers, too : ). To me, if one is a writer, one is a writer, whether or not one’s manuscript has been published yet. You are a writer, and I know your manuscript will be published. In the meantime… I really have found that people are helpful to writers, especially since it allows them to “shine” and share their own expertise.
Jaleh – Thank you : ). I hope you’ll find it interesting! It’s funny you’d mention getting distracted. Research can do that, especially if finding out one interesting thing leads to finding out another…and then another.. I think the trick is to stay focused on the plot, and the research that will help move that plot forward.
Cleo – Thank you so much! Isaac Asimov once wrote, “The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ (I’ve found it!), but ‘That’s funny…'” I think that captures the excitement of letting research (and writing), as you say, lead one, rather than the other way around. I know that my own finished writing products are never the same when they’re done as my visions of them are at the beginning. Being open to what comes is part of what makes writing better.
Alex – Space fighters and fighter jets? Sounds really interesting! I have to admit, I’m woefully uninformed about that kind of technology. I would need quite a lot of coursework in that area before I could even begin to write. They say that Tom Clancy did such thorough and careful research on military technology for books like The Hunt for Red October, and his books were so accurate, that the U.S. government was concerned he might be spying. He wasn’t, but that’s how good his research is.
Fantastic guest blog. This truly helped me see how a novel can evolve.
Karen
I did a substantial portion of research in the beginning, largely because the locale was new for me. I want to paint real pictures that would resignate.
Now the writing has come to a crossroads were I need to do more digging. I planned to put if off until the edit phase and comb back through with details, but you challenged me to think differently about that.
Great post!
Mary – Thank you : ).. I can’t really take full credit for the title, though. That idea came from my wonderful husband, who suggested it when I told him the plot of the book. Being married has its advantages : ). I hope you’ll enjoy the book.
I truly admire folks like you who write historical fiction. That genre really does involve careful and thoughtful research, and I’m sure you learn all sorts of interesting things. When I was a young teenager, I used to volunteer in a retirement home, and I learned a lifetime of lessons from the folks who lived there. Many of them enjoyed telling their stories, and I enjoyed hearing them. I’ll bet talking to the people you’ve met is fun way to get the facts you need for your own work.
…By the way, I must be getting old…I remember partylines *sigh*
Tamika – Thanks : ). You’re absolutely right that doing research and finding out real facts adds authenticity to a novel so that it rings true. I like your term – “paint real pictures” very much. The truth is, though, that good novels almost always take on lives of their own, so we do reach crossroads, as you have. I admire your noticing that, stopping, and making your work better by adjusting as you go along.
Firstly, Margot, what an ingenious method of murder; well done! Secondly, I love doing research. Admittedly, my research is usually to do with the time period, but I have researched methods of death. I suspect I’m on some interesting lists somewhere…
Elspeth – LOL! I think I probably am on some interesting lists, too! And thanks for the kind words; I was rather proud of that method of murder, if truth be told. I really admire folks like you, though, who write historical mysteries and other novels, and do the kind of careful research one has to do to make an historical novel “ring true.” Even small details such as the fact that house telephones were usually located in public areas like hallways during the 1920s and 1930s can add to the quality of a novel. I’m not sure I would be able to remember all of those little, but oh-so-important touches.
Marvin – Thanks for your kind words. I figured that, since I don’t have a very checkered past (or maybe it’s that I haven’t been caught – yet ; )), I don’t know a lot about how police stations work from experience, and television “cop shows” aren’t very realistic. So I thought I ought to find out a bit about what really goes on.
Thanks Margot – this was fun! I love doing the research for the same reason I like reading about things I don’t know much about – my endless curiosity to live fifty lives at once kicks in! What a great job, eh?
Margot–Thanks so much for hijacking my blog! And for writing such an interesting post. :)
You’re right – research can be fun!
I usually come up with the storyline first and then research as I go. There’s some things we might not know needs researching until we hit that point in the story.
I LOVE research. I think it’s the secret reason I write. o.o
Excellent post. And it’s actually helpful to hear an author enthusiastic about doing research. We tend to think of it as drudgery, but it can really open new doors and ideas for your book.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Thank you so much for the great interview. I’m always interested in the thought processes, especially of writers. By writing mystery there is a blending of the creative with the hard work that goes into creating believable fiction that it really stretches the mind. Congratulations on your book.
Teagan Oliver
http://www.TeaganOliver.com
Research is so much fun and can make stories stronger. But it is easy to get distracted.
Great post. I’ll have to go look up that book now. It sounds interesting.
This post is wonderful, Margot, and I also enjoyed your well done “Rules of the Road” post today at your own blog. My husband and I both find that keeping an open mind with research can lead a writer down some very interesting pathways. The universe “brings things” to us, as well. It’s an almost mystical process, this writing thing, and staying open to new ideas during the process is the most amazing thing of all – sort of an extension of the philosophy that the journey must be appreciated as much as the destination. :)
~Cleo
Ann – Isn’t modern technology terrific!? I use the internet freuqently when I’m trying to find out information, especially if it’s something straightforward. It’s often easier, faster and more efficient to find things online than it is to do it any other way. I think the internet police will have to haule me away, too ; ).
Great insights. I had to research fighter jets for the space fighters in my book. It was fun though.
Karen – Thank you : ). I like your word, “evolve,” very much, too. It implies that novels are not static, but dynamic. I really think they almost take on lives of their own, and that word captures the process.
I love how you describe the writing process is not just in the writing. It’s in the interviews and the research and the thinking and the networking. I see that, now, so clearly. I’m doing historical fiction, and I find that when I let a little info sneak out, especially to some older friends, I get such great info out of THEM! Lots of great stuff on outhouses, partylines, dating, dancing. I’m going to add those discussions to my weekly writing goals for time spent in the writing process.
I love the title of your novel “B Very Flat.” I want it (the book, not just the title).
It was nice to get to “meet you.” I love the name “B-very Flat.” Thanks for hosting this, Elizabeth.
Tara – It’s a pleasure to “meet” you, too : ). Thanks for the kind words about the title, too. And I agree, Elizabeth is very kind to let me “camp” here today.
Kathy – I know just how you feel! I’ve been in higher education for a long timek, so sometimes I have the urge to just “pour on the knowledge,” even though I’m sure the reader doesn’t want that much. It’s always a balance, isn’t it?
Thanks for the kind words about the title; I really do like it, if I may say so; I wish I could take credit for it. Also, thanks for your interest in B-Very Flat. I hope you enjoy it : ).
Enjoyed this feature article very much. I appreciate your field research, going to the lengths of visiting a police department and witnessing an actual suspect being questioned. That kind of effort pays off in realistic reading books, for sure.
Marvin D Wilson
Elzabeth – Glad you thought it interesting : ). Thanks for taking the time to stop in.
I do a lot of research also for my mystery novels and I have a lot of biology and murder/autopsy reference books sitting on my desk. I find the internet such a valuable resource for the weirdest things. I’m sure the internet police will be knocking at my door with all the stuff I search for.
ann
How fun! Not only did I learn HOW you research, I learned about peanut flour and Epi-pens.
Thanks for sharing.
I, too, love the title B-Very Flat and am heading over to check out your book.
Journaling Woman said she is able to weave her experience into her stories. I try, but sometimes I catch myself “preaching.” Not always easy to know how much the reader wants to know.
Absolutely fascinating. Thanks Margot, thanks Elizabeth.