Recently, I've been experimenting with the mystery genre, so I've been doing a lot of research on the subject of crime and forensic science. Needless to say, it's caused a lot of weird looks.

And there was that time I toted home several books on schizophrenia...

So how about you? What kind of crazy research has your stories led you to explore?



- Katie

Ohhh, I know how that goes! I've carted home dozens of books on autism, dissociative disorders, personality disorders and schizophrenia. I've brought home bags of survival guides and books on what sorts of natural plants can be used as poisons...

I've researched things such as how to break into Area 51, and a variety of stuff on secret agents, the FBI, the CIA, and the NSA.

So yeah. Crazy research. XD

Ooh yes. I love murder mysteries, and when I was writing my Historical Fiction novel, I definitely researched some strange things. *Laughs* Thankfully, most of my family is into crime novels and so on, so they don't find me quite as weird as other people do.

Ha, I didn't have to cart home schizophrenia books. My mum made the mistake of getting me a health curriculum that discussed it thoroughly.

Lessee, my incriminating search history includes--but isn't limited to--all types of poison (curare and strychnine are my two faves at this moment), blowguns, knife fighting, all kinds of torture (bad thing to be reading when parent walks behind you...hehheh), lots of freakish mythology, and Halloween face and body paint. Other than that one being fun anyway, it's great when I have to describe a wound.

Also reading about Hitler and Napoleon. Both because of their leaderness and because you need ideas for your own villain.

I've only really done research on how to mortally wound a character realistically but in a way that doesn't kill them.

Poison, murder, mythology, beliefs, diseases, death, funeral practices, underpinnings, etc...

Actually, my best was Forensics. I'm interested in Forensics - specifically the branch that studies ballistics and such to help solve crimes. Anyway, I shortened the name to 'Criminal Forensics' - meaning the forensics that solve crimes. Anyway, I forgot to explain that once, and a friend thought I wanted to be a criminal...

Awesome.

*laughs* So glad you think so! Researching is probably the funnest part about writing - that and worldbuilding...

I love world building, Charlotte! I definitely agree that it's great fun! Plus you can world build no matter where you are, and not need to have the time to write it all down - as in if I'm working for two hours on grooming a dog in peace and quiet, I can have tons of ideas mulling through my mind. It's finding the time to write that I then find tough!

Undeniably probably the best part. Mowing, listening to music, housecleaning, day to day life... The places that offer inspiration for world building are limitless - although I agree that writing them down is the hardest part...

Well, that's the hardest part, and also STOPPING world building and actually writing the story... *grins*