by Linda O. Johnston
At the moment, I’m continuing to write enjoyable stories in my new series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, about K-9s and PIs. Have I had to do research? Of course, even more than I’ve done before about K-9s and their commands.
But my entire life tends to be research. I love to read and write about animals, especially dogs, so whenever I can, I investigate pets and wildlife in different areas, and how they act, interact, and do their means of communication. I read books, newspaper articles, and more.
And then I look out my front and back doors and windows. I see murders of crows, individual mockingbirds and other birds, lots of squirrels getting into trouble with my husband since they like to eat the fruit he grows, people and dogs going by on walks, vehicles that turn or park in the wrong places…all could be fodder for stories. Yes, even the people who drive those vehicles. I’d never get near them or hurt them in person…but my characters in a mystery just might approach and commit murder or whatever.
Yes, my mind is always at work. Researching…and plotting. That happens when I go shopping. When I see events at the nearby Hollywood Bowl or other fun locations in my area—and when I travel too. Flying, riding Ubers and Lyfts and otherwise. What’s around—buildings? Waterways? My mind keeps watching and waiting and plotting. Lots of photos and notes! And my dogs also keep telling me what to do and when and what to write.
And you, if you’re a writer? Where do you get your ideas? How do you research them? What do you look for moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day, or more?
The Writers in Residence 
I resonated with your comment, “My entire life tends to be research”. Writers can find inspiration anywhere and any place, familiar or foreign, if we keep ourselves open to it.
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I definitely agree, Miko! I puzzle every day about what I’ll be up to–and what research it’ll lead to.
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You are so right, Linda, about life being research just waiting for a story to wrap around it. I’ve used the various jobs I’ve had in many of my stories. That allows me to put facts in the story that I experienced first hand. As I have one of my characters say in one of my spy novels: “The facts are true. I make up the rest.”
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You’ve been versatile in your jobs and in your writing, Gayle. And I really like that quote!
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I absolutely agree – a writer’s life is research! Like Gayle, I’m always seeking a story to wrap around something I’ve uncovered. And my brother, like your husband, is constantly trying different methods to stop the squirrels eating the fruit and vegetables he’s growing. Those methods can be quite murderous! Yet more research, Linda!
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Sounds good to me, Rosemary! Of course, if my husband tried to actually harm the squirrels, he could be my victim. Fortunately, he just ties big nets around the trees to keep the squirrels off, though they sometimes jump on the nets but can’t get to the fruit. Maybe I could do something mysterious with a net like that sometime in a story…
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Research. What a huge topic.
Most of mine is online, and I hope I can trust most of what I find. The key is to disclose where you found your info; that way, if questioned, people can go right to the source.
I have an eye for the pretty, the unusual, the symmetric, or the weird … when I walk every early morning. It’s unbelievable what you SEE when you are looking for a morning photo. Hmmm. I wonder what little stories I could come up with if I go back and re-look at what I’ve posted?
I just read a book titled “Joy in a Box, and Other Stories.” It’s a collection of 30 short stories (none longer than 750 words), about all kinds of things. Hmmm. You’ve given me an idea, with your LIFE IS RESEARCH post, Linda. Thanks.
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I hope it’s a fun idea, Jackie! And I agree walks can be a good source of ideas, whether in your own neighborhood or elsewhere. Online research helps–but so does in-person research!
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Linda,
how perceptive you are with your research process, and yes, indeed, life does present us with everything if we take the time and trouble to inspect it. How fortunate writers and artists are to be creative types, although the gift can make us lazy!
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Lazy? Maybe, but it keeps us working pretty much all our waking hours!
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