My latest purchase at Amazon.com includes the FAA AIRPLANE FLYING HANDBOOK, another research investment in my most successful series character, C.J. Stone. By reading about how to fly, I hope to add another level of authenticity to the stories. Ironically I abandoned C.J. for eight years, looking to create meatier characters. And while I have several mainstream pieces I'm proud of, no characters kept coming back like C.J. and friends. I figure if they're gonna stick around, I might as well write 'em as best I can.
Having read my fill of technical specs and protocols in Tom Clancy novels, I like my research to spice up stories, not be their main ingredient. And speaking of ingredients, a lot of writers start with character; I start with plot. What's going on here? What has happened in my life that I can use for fiction? Would the events be more dramatic if someone othan than I went through them? (When the answer is no, I use myself. Hey, why not?)
I see the action first, then focus in on who's doing what to whom.
No comments:
Post a Comment