I usually start researching a new book while I am in the midst of a current project. The idea behind that being I want to shorten the down time between finishing a book and diving into something new. It doesn’t work because no matter how much pre-research I have done I seem to always need a few months of down time (woe-is-me I’ll never write again time) between books. It’s my process and I try to honor it even if I don’t like or understand it.
Even though I ground my books by tying them in some time or way to an aspect of myself and my life there is always some sort of research to be done. Research for me usually starts with reading a bunch of fiction that has been pubbed in an area that might be similar to mine. (Books that would show up on a list of “If you liked this book then you might like this one.”) So for HUGGING THE ROCk I read every verse novel I could get my hands on. Then I read a lot of novels about divorce and mental illness and family relationships. After I feel full up on fiction it’s time to dig in deep for the details and move to the non-fiction. For Hugging the Rock that meant a lot of psychology stuff, case histories, divorce stories – you get the idea. When I couldn’t stand to read another word it was time to get down to the actual writing. Well, the trying to write. As I explained in a recent interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith the words didn’t exactly race from my fingertips to the page.
Anyway. HUGGING THE ROCK is done. I’ve gone through the galley for the final corrections and after a last chat with my editor tomorrow it heads off to the printers next week. It’s time to write. I made a commitment to start a new verse novel that I will refer to by the acronym MTLB until it is sold. I know sort of what it is about. (It’s inspired by the year long writing program I did at an alternative school a few years ago.) I know sort of who it is about. (M and his dad and N and his dad and Mrs. W.) I did a lot of research the last six months on juvenile justice and poverty and teaching and a bunch of other stuff that may or may not make it into the book. I wrote a few poems. I wrote a couple more. Then I got stuck and found myself using the excuse that I needed to do more research. Read just one more case history. Google a few more phrases. Watch one more movie. (Hey, movies are GREAT for research.) But after a few days of this I realized the truth. I wasn’t writing. I wasn’t researching. I was just procrastinating. Sometimes I wonder if procrastination is just a stew bubbling on a backburner, waiting for us to throw everything into the pot, stirring and adding interesting ingredients until the smell overpowers us and we simply have to dig in.
So yes, research is important. But knowing when to stop researching is important too. The research will still be there after I finish a draft, if I feel I really need it but you can’t factcheck a book you haven’t written yet.
And in the “thank you for all the kind words about me” department, I’ve had a few more shout-outs. It always feels a bit awkward tooting my own horn but here goes:
My picture book Oliver’s Must-do List received a nice review from Jen Robinson’s Book page.
Jen also reviewed Hugging the Rock. My favorite lines in review? “Rachel’s voice is pitch perfect.” and the fact that she calls the Mother’s Day poem “brilliant” and that she said, “I give it my highest recommendation.” Wow! Thank you, Jenn.
More lovely words about Hugging the Rock over here at Mindy’s Book Journal. and here at Bec’s Book Blog.
Thank you so much for your support of my book.
If you don’t toot your own horn … we may not hear, otherwise!
Keep …um … tooting.
*internal crackup, befitting mother of 8-year-old*
LOL. Okay…here I go, toot toot tooting away.
CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL THE BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks!
CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL THE BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m really looking forward to Hugging the Rock coming out!
Thanks, Janni. I hope your new book is doing well.
Yay!!!! Look at all the good stuff going on for you! Yipee!
Aw thanks.
Congratulations for getting Hugging the Rock done, and best of luck with MTLB!
Thank you. Hmmmm…in MTLB the MC has to do something terrible to someone…want me to make that someone a bird???? 🙂
Cool! You can call it “Mommy Torments Little Birds . . . that nest in her dryer.” Sounds like a best seller to me! 😉
Oh, and I like the flowers on your blog page. Very springy.
Bubbling stew. Brilliant!
Congratulations on the finishing and all the great shout-outs. “Pitch perfect.” Wow!
Good luck on MTLB.
Thanks. Now if I could just nail the voice in the new book half as well I’ll be happy. I love your icon!
I’m in total agreement with you regarding the research. It’s a little too easy to get sucked into the research, putting the WIP to the side. Oh, yeah, I actually have to write pages?
Yeah, I always tell my students you can’t sell what you don’t write but I have a hard time remembering that myself.
Congratulations on the great reviews!
Thanks, Debra. Here’s hoping they translate into sales.
Congratulations on the great reviews AND on finishing Hugging the Rock!
I’m totally with you on the research/procrastination issue. I love doing background research and really have to force myself to say, enough already. Write!
Thanks! Isn’t it fun when you’re doing the research and you find the perfect missing piece to your story that you didn’t even know was missing?
Great reveiws!! Keep tooting!!!
Hugging the Rock review
Hi Susan,
Glad that you liked the reviews. Thanks for sending me your wonderful books! Have a great day! Jen Robinson – http://jkrbooks.typepad.com
Book Covers
I love your blog! I need to read one of your books.
Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting on Book Covers.
Kim
kimsbookblog.blogspot.com