Shop Talk with Kimber and Jade – research, up close and personal by Kimberly Gardner

Today we’re trying something a little different here on FWF, a sort of she said/she said between Jade Buchanan and me. So this post is a kind of conversation on the topic of how far authors, specifically the two of us, have gone and would consider going in the name of research.Now we’re not talking about simply hunting down a hard to find book or snippet of information. No. What we’re talking about is how much do we want to directly experience what we’re going to write about.

For example, I got my first tattoo five years ago when I was writing a story that had a character who was a tattoo artist. That story never saw the light of day, but I have since given several of my characters various types of body modifications including tats and piercings. I actually considered getting my tongue pierced when I gave Adam from Phoenix Rising a tongue stud, but I did some research and chickened out. LOL!

Jade: For shame, Kimber! You’re not supposed to chicken out. We’re talking about the good of characterkind, here! They need us to do the hard stuff! In all honesty, I’ve had several instances where I’ve written about characters experiencing something that I did. Since you started off with piercings and tattoos, I’ll add to that. In fact, several of the Felidae books feature piercing scenes that were loosely based on my own experiences. I also have a WIP where my female character has a number of piercings and that was taken right from my trials and tribulations as well. I’ve given a few characters tattoos because I love my own so much, although I’ve never actually written a scene where they’re getting one.

Kimber: Well, your experience with piercings and … bravery?… have certainly helped me out since I was able to ask you all those questions about piercings. The only man-made holes I have are in my ears which is, admittedly, very run-of the-mill. But having friends with first-hand experience is certainly the next best thing.

Now, have you ever considered a tongue stud? LOL! Just kidding.

But honestly, at least in my opinion, there is no substitute for direct personal experience when it comes to research. That’s not to say that I’ve done all the things I’ve written about. *thinks about some of the things* But I have had some of those experiences which allowed me to write about them in an up-close and personal way that really isn’t possible from a secondhand point-of-view.

For me the same goes with setting. I write contemporary romance and most of my stories are set in places where I have actually been. From a writer’s perspective, if I’ve walked down that street, or lived in that style of house I can more easily picture my characters living there.

Jade: LOL, no tongue studs for me! Although, I do have friends that have them so… nope, must keep on track. I am not going to go write a tongue scene with a piercing LOL!

I’m always happy to help my friends with research if I’ve done something that they haven’t. *thinks of some of the scenes I’ve written* You’re right, there are a heck of a lot of scenes I’ve written that I’ve either had to use my imagination on or have had to rely heavily on friends or those lovely little “research” videos.

So, you prefer to use settings you’ve directly experienced? That would certainly add a level of realism to a book, which I think you actually do really well!

When I’m writing about alien cultures, or paranormal creatures here on this planet, I’m given a bit of leeway, so I can experiment more with settings I’ve never directly experienced. In my current WIP, which just happens to be a contemporary, I’m actually borrowing a lot from my own experiences to color the book, way more than I ever have before. Houses that my relatives live in, places I’ve eaten at, direct in-jokes from my family even! And for some reason, it’s causing me to bond with this book in a way I haven’t really done before. So, I see what you mean.

Kimber: Yes, even something as simple as setting a scene in a park where you’ve eaten lunch or roller-bladed lends a feeling of immediacy and vividness that is harder to achieve, though certainly not impossible, when using your imagination.

Heck, maybe it’s just a matter of laziness. If I’ve been there or done that I don’t have to work as hard at the details. LOL!

Jade: Oh God, that is so true!! LOL! I always feel like I’m being lazy when I set a scene somewhere I know. I mean, you should have to work at it, shouldn’t you? Go on holidays and visit places you’ve never been before. Because, honestly, every book should be set in some exciting place, shouldn’t it? LOL! I always used to think that setting stories in Calgary, or anywhere else I’ve lived, is just so boring and that no one would ever want to read it. Now, I’m happy whenever I can feature my hometown. It’s a way of bringing this place to people that have never been here.

Kimber: And if you think about it — at least this is true for me — I love reading books set in my hometown. There’s a Nora Roberts book that I read years ago that is set here and I remember thinking that was so cool. LOL!

I can only hope that someone will read my stories and go, “Hey, I know that place!” And that they’ll get a little pleasure out of that.

Jade: Oh, you’re right, that is true. I remember reading a Harlequin book ages ago that was set in Calgary and it was just the coolest thing for me at the time. I was so darn excited about it! I also love reading books set in places that I’ve visited because I totally have that “hey, I know that place!” reaction when I read them.

Kimber: I know what you mean. In the last few years, Key West has become like a second home to me. Not because I get there as much as I’d like, but there’s just something about the place that speaks to my heart. And I am dying to set a story there. I am so going to do it one of these days.

Jade: Hmmm…. I would love to read that! I’ve never been to Key West! I know, I’m sorely lacking in my travels if I’ve never been there, right? LOL!

That does make me think, though. Have you ever read about a place in a book and it’s sounded so great that you’ve decided to visit? I’ve had this happen a couple times before, but the biggest one I can think of was when I read a series of books by Marsha Canham that was set in and around the Battle of Culloden in Scotland. She had me so emotionally hooked that when my mom and I planned a trip to Britain and Ireland I made sure we were going to visit Culloden. It was heartbreaking being there, but I probably wouldn’t have made such an effort to go if I hadn’t been so captured by those books.

Kimber: I don’t know that’s ever happened for me. On the other hand, if I want to visit a place and I see a book that’s set there I will be more inclined to buy that book. Of course, if after reading it I did visit the place and found that the author had failed to capture the spirit of the place it would color my opinion of that author’s work after that.

Which brings me to the question I wanted to ask our blog readers.

How do you feel about books set in places that are familiar to you? Are you more likely to pick up a particular book if it’s set in your hometown or in a place you especially love? Or like Jade, have you ever read about a place and decided to go there based on the great job the author did in bringing that place to life?

Jade: Or… have you ever read about an experience in a book that has made you want to experience that? Anyone ever get a piercing or a tattoo because it was featured in a book you read? LOL!

Written by Kimberly Gardner

As early as the seventh grade, Kimberly remembers slashing her favorite rockstars and reading romance. So it’s not surprising that her two passions, romance and putting pretty boys with other pretty boys, should come together in her writing. Moliere said, “Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, then for a few close friends, then for money.” Kimberly is delighted to finally be doing it for money.
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