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In her article, 'Getting Hysterical About Historicals', Vashi Farrer spoke of the need to be accurate when writing historical fiction.
Accuracy requires research.
What is research? how do we go about it? What do we do with it when we get it… and how much is enough?
My Macquarie Australian Dictionary, 2005 edition, defines research as -
n 1. diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation in order to discover facts or principles,
v.i. 2. to make researches, investigate carefully,
v.i. 3. to investigate carefully,
adj. 4. of or relating to research."
The key words to me are 'diligent', 'systematic' and 'facts'.
Why diligent?
At times it can appear to be difficult to find what exactly what we are looking for. The diligent researcher should always keep the age-old sayings in mind - 'seek and ye shall find' and 'there is none so blind as those that will not see'.
I remember an early visit to my local library soon after I started writing. I was in a hurry and after a few futile passes up and down the aisles, left empty handed and frustrated, writing the library off as useless. How wrong I was.
I now allow time to browse and even to ask the staff and have always found what I was looking for. By taking a few moments longer, I often uncover relevant facts I may not have been particularly looking for. Sometimes, in unexpected places.
For example, I am particularly interested in the 1890 gold rushes that occurred in the Murchison Region of Western Australia, particularly the part the town of Cue played in it. By diligently browsing the shelves and my local library's computer based catalogue I found a book devoted entirely to that subject - 'Gold in the Murchison; a Tale of Two Cities' by P.R. Heyden.
Another time, by browsing the shelves, I found a book on nineteenth century fashion that included a chapter dedicated to Australian fashion. The book was shelved properly in the social science section, whereas I would have only thought to look for something of that nature in the history section.
I take a note pad with me every time I visit the local library. In it, I keep a list of any facts I need to research and a list of all the books that I see while searching the aisles that may be of future benefit.
Facts?
Why do we need facts if we are writing a piece of fiction?
Science fiction can stretch the bounds of credibility. However, if I were reading a piece set in Manhattan in 1899 I would expect the Cadillac that the protagonist was racing through the streets to have been in production at that time. My belief in the author would take a hit if I subsequently learnt that the Cadillac did not appear on the streets until 1903. Nor could I have my hero enjoying a cold, frothy class of Tiger Beer at the Raffles Hotel, Singapore in 1817. Singapore did not become a British trading post until 1819 and the Tiger Beer Company did not begin operation until 1932. The Raffles Hotel opened for business in 1887, although ice was first manufactured in Singapore in 1861.
As an avid reader of historical fiction, I notice these things and feel many others would too. Too many glaring inaccuracies and I, and dare I say other readers, will soon be putting the book down and striking the author off the 'must buy' list.
Even in a piece of fiction, it is important that the setting, fashion, buildings and so on do not stretch credibility. They must possess some degree of fact.
What's with the "systematic"?
What to do with all these facts and interesting anecdotes is a matter of personal preference. However, there are two aspects important to me in storing this data. The first is that I use an orderly system that makes it easy to pinpoint a particular fact I know I have already found. Secondly, I need to be able to add to the data without corrupting the system.
Some may prefer to use a series of index cards, exercise books, loose-leaf folders or a file or folder on a computer.
Here is what works for me.
I use two general headings - General Research and Clothing Research. The latter is under a separate heading because of (in my view) the additional importance it plays in getting the characters 'right'.
I then break each main heading down further into sub-headings as follows -
General Research
- Period and Locality
- Relationships Between the Sexes
- Rulers and Class Structures
- Domestic Utensils, Furniture and Bric a Brac
- Implements of the Trades and Agriculture/Hunting and Fighting Weapons
- Plants and Animals of the Period and Locality
- Significant Places, Sites and Buildings
- Methods of Communicating
- Modes of Transport
- Traditions
- Faiths, Beliefs and Worship
- Legends, Myths and Folklore
- Plagues, Illnesses and Health
Clothing Research
- Period
- Genders
- Rulers and Class Structures
- Headwear
- Women's Fashion and Dress
- Men's Fashion and Dress
- Shoes and other Footwear
- Accessories
I then record each separate fact in alphabetical order within its relevant subheading. At times, I break the subheadings down even further. For example under the heading of Significant Places, Sites and Buildings, I have recorded data under the following headings:
My database is held in a separate folder on my computer, with appropriate disc and hard copy backup, for ease of adding to the information while maintaining the alphabetical order.
At the end of my Research Table, I provide an alphabetical list of all the reference sources I have used to obtain the information.
The Magical Mystery Tour
So where do I go to find these magical and mysterious facts?
Some may be a mystery… but perhaps not so magical, as they actually happened!
Here is a list of what I have used to date:
- Bookshops
- Libraries
- Travel Magazines and Guides
- The Internet
- Museums
- Tourist Attractions
- Periodicals
- Newspapers and Newspapers Liftouts
Books are an obvious choice to accumulate knowledge. I might find what I am looking for in a book written on that specific subject, such as the book on Cue and gold in the Murchison I mentioned earlier. In addition, you are sure to find books of specific interest to your era/country. One example is 'Black Kettle and Full Moon' by Australian Professor Geoffrey Blainey, which provides descriptions of the Australian way of life until the early 1900's. Among other facts, it describes what Australians ate, wore, sat on, slept in and so on. This book even includes details on what the gentlemen of the time used to light their cigars.
Alternatively, I might find pertinent facts spread throughout a book that I am reading just for interest's sake, pen and paper always handy. While reading 'Captain James Cook' by Richard Hough I not only learnt of the life and voyages of that famous explorer I also obtained valuable information on the standard of living, fashions and methods of transport, particularly by sea, of his time.
'The Dig Tree' by Sarah Murgatroyd gave me an insight as to why men like Robert O'Hara Burke and William Wills risked their lives for personal gain and the common good, but also into the political rivalry that existed between the colonies that made up Australia before Federation.
'Murder Mayhem Fire and Storm' by Max Jeffreys provided a description of the ships of the time but also valuable insight into the dangers of sea travel, the time it took, what people brought with them and so on.
Bookshops and Bookshops
There are bookshops and there are bookshops, just as there are libraries and there are libraries. I would not go looking for a written account of the traditions and customs of the hill tribes of Borneo in the book section of my local Target or BW store. I probably would not find it in bookstore chains such as Borders, Dymocks or Angus and Robertson.
However, I did find a copy of 'The Population of Borneo: A Study of the Peoples of Sarawak, Sabah and Borneo' by L.W. Jones (ISBN 978983398705) listed in the inventory of 'Select Books Online.
I have not conducted any business with this bookstore, nor with other on-line retailers such as amazon.com and ebay.com and cannot comment on reliability and standards. However, I have completed satisfactory transactions with the following on-line Australian bookstores:
Look but do not buy
Public libraries offer a traditional source of information, much of it free. Although the range of e-books is currently very limited, I can now access a significant portion of the library's resource material in the comfort of my own home.
The downside is losing the thrill of finding the unexpected while browsing the aisles.
My local library membership card gives me on-line access to all the catalogues of all the libraries in my shire and also to a range of on-line reference material including:
- Encyclopedia Britannica On-line Library Edition
- Australia and New Zealand Reference Centre - providing access to a range of on-line reference material, including books, magazines and newspapers.
- Website World On-Line
My membership also gives me access to the State Library of Western Australia's catalogue and on-line database, including trade publications and magazines. The State Library also provides an archival collection of architectural plans, marriage and death records, correspondence, diaries, maps, manuscripts, newspaper cutting, etc donated by individuals and portraying past events.
The picture paints a thousand words
A real advantage of my State Library, National Library and National Maritime Museum free memberships is the access they give me to a huge collection of images, sketches and photographs that each has catalogued for on-line viewing.
The State Library of Victoria also allows me access to its image database without membership. Other libraries may offer similar services but I have not had cause to try them yet and am unable to comment. How did I come across these websites? Earlier on, I was writing an article on Australian shipwrecks for a competition at 'writing.com' and was looking for some images to enhance the text. Surfing the web found plenty and pointed to their source.
Some sources charge a fee to allow downloads of images and copyright rules apply. However, all have been helpful in my obtaining permission to reproduce when needed.
Earth to Major Tom
The internet can be a good source of information but care is needed to verify the accuracy of information a 'Google' search uncovers. I provide greater reliance on government websites provided they carry easily recognizable evidence of their authenticity such a known logo, address or similar.
Wikipedia.com is a free on-line encyclopedia established in 2001. Each article is presented as fact. However, a visit to the site's homepage confirms that volunteers write articles and anyone can edit any page they visit. I treat it as a source of general information.
I find it a good rule of thumb to check each fact, with the possible exception of verifiable government websites, with at least two different sources.
Old news is good news
The West Australian Newspaper provides a service that allows past editions, photographs and articles to be purchased for a fee. It also provides an on-line viewing service of past editions from June 2004; however, this seems quite expensive, ranging from $8.00 for 1 day's access to that database to $2,200.00 for 12 months access. I have not used either service to date and assume other newspapers offer similar services.
The West Australian also runs a weekly 'Can You Help?' segment. The old photographs people contribute provide a real look at what people, buildings, transport etc, looked like in days gone past.
From time to time the paper also runs pictorial lift outs on the state's past. I cut out any articles and photographs of interest and keep them in a large two ring binder.
Not last and not the least
Museums provide a description and history of the artifacts and exhibits on display and the Australian Maritime Museum provides on-line images and a fact sheet of many of its exhibits.
Periodicals such as Australian Geographic also provide articles and images of our past, as well as present and future.
Tourist guides, such as those provided by Lonely Planet, Frommers, Insight Guides and the like, also provide a history of the region and the significant places that make up its tourist attractions.
A physical visit to the area, locality, site, etc should also be on the agenda for those serious about getting the facts right.
On a recent trip to Singapore I spent time walking through Fort Canning Park that overlooks the Singapore River. The latter plays an important part in that city's history and in the novel I am working on. By looking down from the hill, I was able to envisage what it may have looked and sounded like over 100 years ago.
Fact sheets attached to each exhibit also provided pertinent information I have not encountered elsewhere. For example, a time ball was dropped from the flagstaff atop the hill at 9.00 am each morning. Mariners adjusted their chronometers and were thus able to calculate their longitude more accurately whilst at sea.
I have also discovered an online bookstore specializing in South-East Asia: www.selectbooks.com.sg They have a retail outlet in Singapore city, which is now a must visit on my next trip there.
Why so much?
I have accumulated a substantial amount of data and images, most of which I may never use. However, by expanding my knowledge of my chosen period and locality I believe I have obtained a feeling and understanding of the landscape and its people. In doing so I feel I am better equipped to transcribe that feeling and understanding into the sights, sounds, scents, tastes and feel of the time that will transport my readers back in time with an enthralling read.
And to me that is the main objective of "all this research stuff".
copyright Steve Martin 2009