One of the questions I guarantee people will ask me is, βDo you do much research?β
My answer is, βAbsolutely. Continually.β
Iβm a naturally nosey person and so my research comes two-fold.
First, I love to people watch. Not just idly observe them as they pass by in the street, but I focus in. I canβt help myself. Iβll order another coffee in a cafΓ© if something interesting happens, just so I can stay longer, because I want to know the result of the conversation.
Iβm not talking about conflict, because that attracts everyoneβs attention and I tend to steer clear of that kind of thing.
I mean those small events such as the tender stroke of a motherβs hand to comfort an upset child; the slow withdrawal of a disgruntled woman from her husband; the sharp slap of money on a countertop to convey annoyance, the joyous curve of lips, the tight bunch of muscles in a jawline.
All of these things, I draw in so that when the time is right, they contribute to my character driven stories.
Secondly, I suck in knowledge. Every single thing I hear or see, I like to store in my mind for that random piece of information to sneak out just as Iβm in the middle of a manuscript.
I might not be that person who can do a pub quiz with rapid-fire answers or even remember the title of the last book I read, but when thereβs something already in my mind I go through a process, a kind of sorting through information, like a librarianβs rotary card index. I know, if I relax, the information will present itself, usually at 3 am. I think Iβm more of a visual learner, rather than one who can do it by rote.
Research is essential to every single word I write. I hate to get something wrong. Iβve attended on-line university courses on forensics to gain a better understanding, even though I have a source close at hand who is willing to help out. Sometimes I need to do that bit myself. I may not be writing about that specific area at the moment, but it will pop into my head at the appropriate time and I will pluck it out and put it to paper.
One of my recent reviews stated : βThe Good Twin is a prime example of how a psychological (and claustrophobic!) thriller should be written. Not only is the research evident, but also very plausible. This book will be yanking on all emotions possible; Hope. Despair. Love.β
Itβs your emotions I do my research for.
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