It’s easy to dive into research and let that take me into my character's world. I never enjoyed history and research until I started writing historical fiction! On my first draft, I’d stop writing and go down the rabbit hole. Now I am putting a note in my manuscript to check later.
'But then I got carried away and began to look up weather reports of how much rain fell the following May in order to determine whether or not a roof could've started leaking at that time.' I know exactly that feeling - and I am writing nonfiction! - but still don't want my text to be weighed down like a metaphorically sagging roof. So thank you Katie for reminding me to step away from the detail.
Ah, then it IS a very appropriate metaphor! (It’s dry today in York, but we also had our roof repaired recently, which seems to have found it’s way into my manuscript without me meaning it to. I wish you successful roof repairs!)
I am so guilty of using research as a crutch rather than actually DOING the writing. Often if I allow myself (force myself!) to write through those tugs on my concentration, I find that what I was worrying about was just me over complicating things. You’ve hit the nail on the head with balance - that elusive thing!
It’s easy to dive into research and let that take me into my character's world. I never enjoyed history and research until I started writing historical fiction! On my first draft, I’d stop writing and go down the rabbit hole. Now I am putting a note in my manuscript to check later.
Making a note to check later sounds very sensible! It is great to be able to step into your characters’ world.
'But then I got carried away and began to look up weather reports of how much rain fell the following May in order to determine whether or not a roof could've started leaking at that time.' I know exactly that feeling - and I am writing nonfiction! - but still don't want my text to be weighed down like a metaphorically sagging roof. So thank you Katie for reminding me to step away from the detail.
I’m very happy if I’ve helped to prevent a metaphorically sagging roof, Ann!
The metaphor feels very appropriate for today’s inclement weather in Cambridge especially as (I kid you not) our roof is being repaired!
Ah, then it IS a very appropriate metaphor! (It’s dry today in York, but we also had our roof repaired recently, which seems to have found it’s way into my manuscript without me meaning it to. I wish you successful roof repairs!)
I am so guilty of using research as a crutch rather than actually DOING the writing. Often if I allow myself (force myself!) to write through those tugs on my concentration, I find that what I was worrying about was just me over complicating things. You’ve hit the nail on the head with balance - that elusive thing!
You're totally right, often the things you think you ABSOLUTELY NEED to know before you continue turn out not to be that important at all!