Research, Research, Research

This evening I read an interesting article in the March/April 2011 issue of Poets & Writers, "Writing Jobs: How to Develop Characters that Work" by Lauren Grodstein. The article discusses the most fundamental aspect of creating a character with a convincing personal and professional life—research. It's easy to construct a life for your character that mirrors your own, or mirrors the lives of people you know personally or have studied. But what happens when you want one of your central characters to be a doctor, yet the only thing you know about doctors is that they scribble on prescription pads? Well when Grodstein found herself in this position, she set out to interview doctors about the diseases they diagnosed, the type of patients they treated, their billing systems, and their relationships with their nursing staff and other doctors. When she completed her book, she sent copies of her manuscript to these doctors for their approval, for they would know if she used correct medical terminology and accurately captured certain thoughts and behaviors particular to medical practitioners.

As I read the article, I thought of my own troubles with my characters. I'm pretty ambitious when it comes to story ideas. While it would be somewhat easier to write about a procrastinating editor and aspiring novelist who struggles with her weight, is a loser in the dating world, and is terrified of the dark, I would feel as though I were taking the easy way out. And besides, those who know me would know I was talking about myself, so it would be a little embarrassing to allow myself, I mean my "character," to be completely honest. So that's why I allow my characters to be and do things I've only fantasized about. Good things, bad things, really bad things. But with that comes the need to ensure I'm writing realistic plots and dialogue. Therein lies my problem. I have not conducted the research I need to prove my serious intent to publish a creditable book.

Reading Grodstein's article reminded me I should be getting friendly with subject matter experts, instead of conducting occasional Google searches as I inch along. I suppose when I think about my work, I'm faced with only two choices, go back to the drawing board and write about what I know; or send emails and make phone calls to people in the know who can help me give a realistic voice to my characters. I have one character who is the child of two ministers. I need to know what it's like to grow up in a household headed by a church leader. One of my characters was raised by a single father. I was raised by a single mother. Though I can infuse personal experiences into my character's life, I don't know what it's like to have a father, so I need to speak to someone who does, particularly someone raised by a single one. My characters' work experiences are varied, much like my own, so I'm able to speak in depth on office culture, coworker relationships, administrative work, and being unemployed. But, as I stated earlier, I'm ambitious. So my characters are involved in industries I've never worked in. I suppose writing about something other than my own observations provides an escape for me. But with it comes a lot more work. Work that right now, I struggle to build the momentum to achieve.

So, wish me well as I begin to research, research, research. I'm so nervous. Oh my goodness, what do I say? What would you say to a potential interviewee if you were writing about a character he or she could help you develop? What would be your introduction?