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Hi Slatz,

This will just be quick.. I have to go to work soon.

For me, I don't research really. The fantasy I write isn't so much based on Medieval times. The worlds I creat are just my own, no real influence from anywhere else. I have done some research into certain environments though, like deserts, tundra, volcanoes... things like that.

As for the type of research you're talking about, one way of doing it would be to just write your story first. That is the most important thing. Once you get that first draft done, everything else will seem soooo easy. When it's finished, and you know exactly what's needed, do the reserch then, just to polish it up. I am naturally lazy and would hate to do all this added research that I didn't need.

Hope that helps. ">

..............................
it's getting hot in here
so take off all your clothes

Asteroid B-612

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Thanks everyone.

---

Life is a containment field for thought. (A Slatz original.)

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Hello Everyone,

I've read most of the posts on the board and wanted to say Hi. I'm most of the way through Betrayal - and loving it! So if you're reading Fiona, you have acquired another fan.

To my question. Like all the others here it seems, I hope one day to be a published writer. I am writing a fantasy novel at the moment and I sometimes wonder at the little items in my world.

I'd like to get that medieval feel into it. I was wondering how much research people do before they start writing fanstasy. I have read lots of fantasy and have some books on medieval times.

I often wonder how people should be dressed, gamrnet names, should men wear hose or breeches, the type of armour, the ranks in medieval army's etc.

The army plays a signifcant role in the story and I want to get the details right. Even down to weapons etc, but I don't often know what' sgoing tot be in th estory until it comes onto the page.

I was wondering how others approach the detail of their story's. Do they simply write what seems appropriate and check the facts later, or is a detailed understanding of the medieval period required first (rather than a general one).

Thanks for any comments.

cheers,
Slatz (Darren).

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I'm writing a story that's medieval-ish. I prefer to research some stuff. I guess what I would recommend is to spend at least some time deciding what will and won't be similar to our medieval times. As an example, I borrowed some from Feudal society, some of the Roman collapse into the Medieval period, some weapons, some clothing.

I'm not particularly accurate on clothing or weapons, though. I have a penchant for certain clothes (I hate hose on men, for example) and my weapons might be scattered throughout Medieval times and be unrealistic in the sense that warfar followed a very logical progression.

Back to your question. Once you see what you'd like to link closely to Earth's reality, you can then research and pull some of those details into your writing. I do some general research to have an overall view of the times as well as to generate ideas. Then, when I write, I'll research specific things that seem *fuzzy* to get them right.

Hope that helps,

Brad.

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If you want some realism from the mddle ages attend an SCA (society for creative anachronism) weekend... and then you will have amuch better idea of what it as really like in the medieval period... and just how hard it is to fight in armour, draw a bow and eat some of that rich spicy food (for the nobles).

Also you can do lots of research by reading... reading... reading... Even back to Sir Walter Scott if you like... Bede... and history books... good source of facts ... legends? Mythology, Lots of military books... for instance OSPREY do colourful books that have pictures, maps etc of famous battles, troops etc.......

Wargames research group is also excellent... ary lists and rules... show what could be accomplished with certai troops...
These are just a few things you could do.

Also remember it's a fantasy world you can have as much realism of Earth as you like.... but I ahve been told time and again that YOUR WORLD MUST BE AS SOLID AS EARTH...

Lisa is right... (go Lisa!) the story comes first, plot, etc etc, then the fantasy world... but ofcousre your fantasy world does also dictate what can be done in your world.

For instance in my world "Besorgia." iron is the rarest metal (it's the most common on earth) there are no horses... and magic is actually energy latent in all matter... only certain people can use that energy... so as you can see those constraints make some things possible and others not possible.

So your research should be specific about your story... but you can never know enough about your world...

If you want a true to life earth and medieval period... I suggest reading the ROMANCES.... you know Gawain and the green knight etc.

But your story must read like REALISM....

So it's all a balancing act... and only you know the answer.

Good writing.
Steve

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(gulp) Made it all up!

However, if you are going to offer wild magics, new creatures, new cultures, etc, in your fantasy what you do need to do is somehow ground your reader in some realism. So general life is arguably the best place to do this with food, inns, horses and so on.

Then the more fanciful stuff can take real flight and the reader can allow their imagination to soar with you.

This doesn't require tons of research but if you are the type of writer who likes detail then make sure you get it right because readers are far more learned than you might think and you will be found out.

The Net is one of your best resources and even simplified more children's style research books on castles, costumes, medieval life and so on are surprisingly helpful.

Good luck - F