Friday, July 31, 2009

Research Time

Another long week is winding down to a close, and that means we're getting into the last days of the contest for Jenna Black's newest Morgan Kingsley book, Speak of the Devil. If you haven't entered the contest yet, scroll down to Monday's entry and leave a comment. I will draw the winner on Sunday, and launch yet another contest next Monday. Stay tuned for more fun!

This has been a really long week, with a mix of family things being thrown in to keep me on mt toes. I didn't get as much writing as I wanted done on Monday and Tuesday, but I was thrilled with my progress on Wednesday and Thursday, so I think it all evens out in the end. I'll be working weekends until Book 5 is finally finished. However, I am pleased that my average daily word count goal remains relatively low. I shouldn't have much trouble achieving my target each day.

Well, except for today.

Isn't that how it always goes? :) Today will probably turn into a research day. I've decided that I'm sending Mira and friends to Budapest for Book 5. Unfortunately, I've never been to Budapest. I've never been to Hungary. That means I need to do a lot of research so that this scenery is crisp and clear to the reader. For me, these distant locations are another character in the story that need to be fleshed out just like a walking, talking character.

In other news, I have acquired a new laptop. The HP that I've got has been giving me a number of problems since I got it. I still like it very much, but I need a laptop that I know I can rely on, especially since I'm on deadline. I can't afford to lose any time or any content if the HP goes down again. So, now I'm switching back and forth between two laptops, feeling somewhat silly, but at the same time, I feel that my books are now safe.

2 comments:

Jessica @ a GREAT read said...

How do you do research for a place you've never been to? What do you look at or look for when you search for these places, such as Budapest?

I'm an aspiring writer myself, still have a year of college left--scary--and I usually pick locations that I haven't been to, because the setting feels right for my characters, but I am confused as how to describe a place I've never seen.

TijaM said...

Hi Jocelynn!

I am currently researching Hungary myself for a book I'm working on, I am also an aspiring writer AND have never been there. I've found this series of travel guides that are published by DK Eyewitness Travel (they also make really amazing kids books) that has big beautiful pictures and diagrams and detailed explanations of things in regards to traveling around Hungary. I believe that they make one for both Hungary and Budapest, and if you can get past them being a bit pricey (I ordered online which made it cheaper) than they are totally worth the buy!