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This week: Real World or Speculative - Research Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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For Authors Newsletter by Dawn
A glance at some things that are different or similar with writing a story either within a realistic world or one that is speculative. The research is one aspect to consider as they both have their own uses in the process. |
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There are many parts of writing that we face whether focusing on flash fiction, short stories or even novels. We get many options and lots of personal choices that come with developing tales. While, I have a fondness towards speculative fiction, some of my recent works have actually been focused on contemporary young adult stories set in modern, regular day world. With it comes a few things that need to be done: research.
While research isn't always a topic that comes to first mind with speculative fiction, it's made up worlds after all, that doesn't mean there can't be research for certain elements. What information needs found and how extensive will vary depending on the project. Here are a couple of points that might be researched:
Character Features
One section that might need research would be character aspects to make them realistic for the reader. This can go for both "real world" or it can be for sci-fi and fantasy stories because even with other beings as the point of view, many readers need something to connect with as the character.
Real characters can have aspects like their speech, personal interests, jobs and many other elements. For example, one of the novels I'm working on that is realistic, I need to research aspects to make it seem like the characters lived in the South. Some of it is speech patterns but you don't want to put too much of that in the dialogue as it can be distracting. There are other elements aside from the speech but things they would notice or specific terms that would be used because they are from a particular region.
Speculative fiction can have similar elements to character. Language and speech patterns from the real world can also be used even if not writing about that specific region or even in the same time period. Real world can influence our made up ones, both in science fiction and fantasy while still having the room for speculation and change.
Geography and Setting
Geography is also important with focusing on the real world in doing research. If using a specific place in our current world, then people are going to notice any inaccuracy. And even if using a general made up town within our every day world, there are going to be some factors that can be helped by researching geography. Terrain, methods of travel, weather and regional elements all can be an important.
This might differ some when writing speculative fiction and not using the current world (though some of it is similar with real world when you write things like urban fantasy). However, one can create their own maps and geography based details. Having the information put together while writing, or before, can help to keep facts consistent even if writing a single book or a series.
The setting of the story, even as the backdrop, is important in helping draw the reader into the tale. Whether our own world, some altered version similar to now, or even the strangest worlds of the speculative variety.
These are just two aspects of developing a story and research that many writers need to know. Whether writing contemporary, historical, our current world or any random one we make up, there is room for preparation and yes, research.
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Do you prefer to do contemporary/realistic or speculative fiction?
Last time, I wrote for this newsletter about the end of NaNoWriMo and things to do once you've made it to 50,000 words. Here are a few authors and what they planned to do after reaching that point (or not) in their draft:
Comment by maryccasey
My Nano is going to rest for a month while I do the "I write in Dec..." contest and learn how to use Scrivener. All NaNo winners who are on the official site, there will be a list of winner goodies on Dec 1 listed. Some of em are discounts on writing software!
- Hope you have had fun writing in the challenge. The discounts from NaNo are great. That's how I got my version of Scrivener and I use it all of the time.
Comment by Elfin Dragon-finally published
I have a very long way to go to finish my novel. And though I've not reached my goal of 50K, I'm still happy with how far I've gotten.
- Yay for progress. Hop you have kept going and enjoyed writing the draft.
Comment by Quick-Quill 
I didn't finish. I'm sad but not defeated. Too much happened this month. I really wish they would have picked OCT for this. November with Thanksgiving and retail preparing for Holiday shoppers, my story didn't motivate me.
- November is a busy month but that is part of the challenge, I suppose. Getting writing done even with all of the reasons to not write. Glad you didn't feel defeated and even non-finished, any progress is still good.
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For Authors: January 25, 2017 Issue [#8098]
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