✨ Whistling like a Songbird ✨
Don't be surprised if your book research leads to an exciting new skill
One of the most daunting aspects of book writing is research.
Since it could take months—even years—to accumulate enough material, I believe the key to good research is good organization.
With my forthcoming eco-fiction novel, Moonwater Beach, I have bulging computer folders filled with alphabetized documents and web links about Animal Reiki, Beach Weddings, Bears, Climate Change, The First Thanksgiving, UFO Sightings, Water Carriers, Water Testing, and Sedona, Arizona.
Here are the tools I use the most:
Pinterest—I created a secret Moonwater Beach board a few years ago. I’ve alphabetized each section and it’s where I've collected assorted images of characters, locations, and assorted topics. Currently, it has about 700 pins.
Scrivener—this is a great tool for keeping notes about plots, characters, and locations. One of the best things about this versatile software is its research feature. You can import all of your research files and web pages to your folder and it’s saved in one convenient place.
Living research
While writing my novels, I try to be as authentic as possible, which is why I am so painstaking about book research. I want my readers to feel exactly what my characters feel, whether it’s anger, pain, grief or elation. I want them to be real, even in a fantasy setting. And I like to challenge my readers with new skills and viewpoints.
One of my favorite parts of research is character development. In assigning traits and interests, I often take experiences from my own life, like when I included scenes in Inn Lak’ech where Glorie Sunday received a crystal bed healing and her daughter Elm participated in a tiara-making workshop. I’ve actually done those things. But I still researched the topics for technical specifications and a variety of perspectives.
There are certain activities I won’t be exploring in Moonwater Beach (like flying, jumping from cliffs, or smoking peyote), so research is vital. However, I have pre-tested many other activities mentioned in the book because they were doable, interesting, and fun. Here is an example:
Snow Whitedove Smith and her older sister Lily make Moonwater tribe smudge sticks for the annual Little Blessing Lavender Festival in July.
Out of respect for the Native American cultures, I don’t personally use sacred white sage for room cleansing anymore, but I do grow lavender and rosemary indoors in my Smart Growhouse. So I researched how to create my own “smoke wands” from those two herbs, wrapped the bundles in colored embroidery gloss and hung them to dry with cotton twine.
Making a joyful noise
In my book, 19-year-old Snow is still grieving the loss of her best friend, Elm Sunday. We all know there are no time limits to grief, but I felt it was important that Snow find a way to help her heal before I got too deep into her story.
After much thought, I decided she should learn how to play the Native American flute because it’s considered to be a healing instrument, especially for grief and trauma. Of course, that meant I had to learn the flute, too…
But first things first.
Before I make most purchases these days, I research. I read reviews, compare prices, check availability. Finding the perfect flute was no different. I watched countless videos about the history of Native American flute-making, which woods make which sounds, the proper flute length for my hands, and the various notes and hertzes available. And all of this information was added to my trusty Pinterest boards.
Eventually I decided upon the little 10-inch “Little People Flute” by Blue Bear Flutes would be perfect for a newbie like me. I played clarinet in high school and instantly took to it, although I really didn’t need any musical training to master this sweet little flute that whistled like a songbird.
I soon gained enough confidence in my flute-playing abilities that I found myself longing for a second flute, one that was larger, lower pitched, and more meditative. I wasn’t striving to be the next R. Carlos Nakai, but I knew Snow would never be satisfied with a small flute, so I did more investigating online.
Of all the how-to videos I watched, there was a special one that opened my heart and mind to a totally new perspective.
It’s called “Playing the Trees” by Ward Jene Stroud and the “key” is to be outdoors in nature and play the treeline, using lower notes for lower trees and higher notes for higher trees. (This technique also works for mountains, river streams, and city skyscrapers.)
It took me nearly three days to determine I needed a five-hole red cedar flute in the Heart Chakra key of F# from OldBlue Flutes and I couldn’t be happier. I play it every day and it soothes me.
Overall, my book research has been going well and the flute-playing has been a highlight, for sure. If I know Snow Whitedove Smith—and I do—she is going to love it, too!
Create a list of your protagonist’s life-changing experiences.
Choose the experience you wish to experience for yourself (e.g., learning a musical instrument, creating a meal for a gourmet chef, swimming with the dolphins.)
Research as much as you can about the topic before writing about it.
Journal about your experience and determine how this skill has changed your life.
Blessings,
Eleyne-Mari
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