“What if…?” Loving Research
I’m not a very disciplined researcher, but convolution works for me. Read a novel set in regency Europe, get curious about history, find a link to the Dal Riata and their movements east, trigger memories of movie tidbits and the word “wode.” Those are the ingredients to a research feast, though the time period is difficult to find information in any detail.
And then the best part happens. What if people who lived in this land wanted to be assimulated? What if their ruler did not? What if it were the opposite? The what if questions go on in my notebook for six or seven pages. After a 24 hour break, the questions get more defined, and more concrete. How did they cook, what were the courtship rules? What sort of law/governance existed? Religious beliefs? How harsh were the winters?
As these concrete questions get researched, the creative questions start coming alive with possible answers as well. Freedoms and comforts begin to make themselves known and the world begins to come alive. The next bit of time is spent writing down everything that occurs to me, no matter how small. Most of it will never make the story, but it all matters. It all helps me create a rich tapestry of society as a backdrop for my characters.
I’ve been in this place for several weeks, and my only frustration is lack of time to go to a proper library for some good old fashioned note taking.
I’ve seen it suggested in various places that writers work with a story board of sorts, where they can pin pictures that bring their setting to mind, make sketches, etc. I really like that idea, especially for this historical time. I’d add fabric swatches and colors, photos, drawings, images of paintings, and maps. I’ll try to create one out of regular poster board. If that doesn’t work, I’ll be asking advice. 
Sounds like you are deep into it! A story board of sorts sounds like a great idea.
Makes me want to get started on my own research…. though I’m not there yet.
I love the idea of story board… it seems so daunting to have notebooks full of odds and ends that need pulling together. This would be a place to visually do that pulling.
I begin to see the appeal for a research assistant, and also for large blocks of poster board. I do believe I’ll be getting big white spaces this weekend…as for the research assistant, I’ll have to see if i can bribe Hubby.