Over the last year, I've preferred the Michael Crichton approach myself. Taking out a good non-fiction book or encyclopedia from the library. It's
often said Crichton, too, rummaged through books and maps before plotting a new novel to get a feel for the language or a particular setting. And of
course learn about the clothes, era, science, geography, political conditions, sociological and religious means, and other necessary essentials before taking
on certain projects. He never really had to travel much.
What about you?
What's your fiction approach?
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 Lawrence Dagstine |
What's your fiction approach? |
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Posts: 1172 (09/24/08 22:10:06) Veteran Shockliner |
Lawrence Dagstine Homepage: www.lawrencedagstine.com
Lawrence Dagstine MySpace: www.myspace.com/lawrencedagstine 
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gfaherty |
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Posts: 3804 (09/25/08 01:33:52) Top-Tier Shockliner Demon |
I write what comes into my head, and do quick internet searches when I need information.
I also collect strange news stories, archeological reports, science stories, etc. in a specia file and refer to them on occasion to get story ideas.
JG Faherty
www.jgfaherty.com 'Everyone has a monster inside.' "Bones," in Cemetery Dance #58 (available now) "The Toll" and "Hybrids" in Wrong World, www.wrongworld.com (available now) "Experimental Subject," in Bits of the Dead "Family First," in Dark Territories |
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Dean Winters |
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Posts: 507 (09/25/08 02:15:54) Veteran Shockliner |
Whatever it takes to get the job done. If i need information or inspiration I consult a book, do research online or go to the library to get a book on a
specific subject.
The wall next to my desk is covered in index cards which have various pieces of information including: list of facts, list of interesting words to use when writing, character/setting notes, story prompts and whatever else I think needs to be tacted to the wall. |
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LL Soares |
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Posts: 2102 (09/25/08 03:26:17) Shockliner Monkey King |
I go out and commit horrific crimes and then write about them (well, not really, but Gahan Wilson did a cool cartoon once that illustrated this).
L.L. Soares
Horror writer/film critic/talking ape/all-around rotten bastid Website: Infernally Yours MySpace Page Gotcha! |
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Frank Menser |
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Posts: 831 (09/25/08 03:54:42) Master Shockliner |
Usually a "What if" pops into my head and the story evolves from that initial idea.
Trashed Cat Publications:
trashedcatpubs.com Home of;THE BARD BUSINESS, ORPHANED EPICS & SIDEWAYS THRU TIME. |
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David Wilbanks |
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Posts: 1964 (09/25/08 04:18:03) Shocklineraholic |
I approach it from behind.
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RossWarren |
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Posts: 208 (09/25/08 04:37:40) |
There was a feature in the Guardian Newspaper (UK) about Found magazine which is based on notes found at random by members of the public.
Checking out some examples on their website gives lots of potential for stories. Such as this one: Found |
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albieee |
here's an idea | ||
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Posts: 3 (09/25/08 04:55:58) Apprentice Shockliner |
Try reading the first page of a short story (it doesn't matter what genre) and then discard the book. The brain's desire to finish the story will do
the rest.
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Lawrence Dagstine |
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Posts: 1185 (09/25/08 18:44:23) Veteran Shockliner |
David Wilbanks wrote: 
Lawrence Dagstine Homepage: www.lawrencedagstine.com
Lawrence Dagstine MySpace: www.myspace.com/lawrencedagstine
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VeryUnseemly |
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Posts: 469 (09/25/08 21:24:52) Shockliner |
David Wilbanks wrote: 
Also: 
Last Edited By: VeryUnseemly
09/25/08 21:28:42.
Edited 1 times.
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MariAdkins |
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Posts: 2950 (09/26/08 07:55:53) Shocklineraholic |
Mari's Midnight
Garden - Apex Book
Company
I don't own a cell phone or a pager. I just hang around everyone I know, all the time. If someone wants to get a hold of me they just say "Mitch," and I say "What?" and turn my head slightly. - Mitch Hedberg 
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gfaherty |
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Posts: 3813 (09/26/08 09:19:10) Top-Tier Shockliner Demon |
That found site is pretty cool. Already got a idea for a story!
And I always knew Garfield had some homosexual tendencies. I guess this makes Jon his bitch!
JG Faherty
www.jgfaherty.com 'Everyone has a monster inside.' "Bones," in Cemetery Dance #58 (available now) "The Toll" and "Hybrids" in Wrong World, www.wrongworld.com (available now) "Experimental Subject," in Bits of the Dead "Family First," in Dark Territories |
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Mike Philbin |
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Posts: 2357 (09/26/08 12:27:09) Shocklineraholic |
ya wanna write, ya write - how difficult do we have to make it?
July 15 2008, Silverthought Press publish Bukkakeworld and Planet
of the Owls in trade paperback.
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cussedness |
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Posts: 264 (09/26/08 16:03:40) Veteran Shockliner |
My material is primarily based upon the classes I took in college while getting my degree in Anthropology. A lot does come from what I read, since I'm a
compulsive reader of non-fiction. Currently reading A Brief History of Medieval Warfare: the rise and fall of English Supremecy at Arms 1314 -1485 by Peter
Reid. Lot's of good stuff in this 600 page tome.
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