Research and Realism in the Romance World…..by JL Oiler

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Research and Realism in the Romance World…..by JL Oiler



I am one of those readers who devour books that I enjoy. There is nothing like climbing into a story regardless of sub genre and being able to connect with the characters. However, I can’t help but notice that with the increase of availability of reads due to the e-book revolution, that a great number of authors fail to truly think or research the topics/genres they write. I truly believe to grab the author that a story requires elements of realism regardless whether you write paranormal, BDSM, historic, Sci-Fi, or any other of the zillion sub genres out there.
Honestly if you’re going to give me a story about Rodeo then you should research the topic. Learn as much as possible so you’re not just blowing smoke. Believe me readers can peg a fake. It only takes a few careless mistakes to have it all come crashing around you. The same could be said about locations. If you select a real setting, you should at least checkout a map. Nothing worse than discovering the writer has made Garden City Kansas, ocean front property.
Time seems to be the biggest mistake made by authors. I once read a historical book that was great other than one sticking point for me. She had referred to a zoo in that country a good 75 years before the first opened. A simple mistake easily corrected with just a bit of research.
Well enough of my rant, on to something filled with a load of unrealism (I do love paranormal!).
My latest release….

Comments

Anonymous said…
I agree wholeheartedly.

I recently read the first book in an historical trilogy (romance) and the author (a well known author published by one of the big guys).

The author had corn in England four centuries early.

It ruined the entire book for me. I had to return the other two books and get my money back. There was no way I could read them, or anything else by that author.
November 27, 2011 at 9:32 AM
Julee J. Adams said…
I remember a monthly romance that had a TV news "personality" earning enough for a mink coat that wasn't inherited, then went into production (editing-directing, what my husband does) to make more money. Not hardly.

I'm doing a series of contemporary books and just got an answer to a question I've been working on for almost five years, so I'm very grateful. I grew up in a library and love research, so I agree--you will lose me as a reader if you don't do at least the very basic fact finding searches. It's so easy with Google and Bing now, right?
November 27, 2011 at 10:28 AM
JL Oiler said…
Thanks for having me here today and for comments!
JL
November 27, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Shanon Grey said…
Researching is a favorite part. Sometimes I have to pull myself back because I find so many interesting segues that I digress. Like now...anyway, it is important for a reader not to be stopped in the storyline and a bad bit of data can do that. I admire those in historical because there are so many things to be cautious of. In mine, I found myself researching the history of the people and the area, even though my town is fictitious, and science (I know more about string theory than I every imagined and still don't understand it, lol) to help with plausibility. Thanks so much for the blog.
November 27, 2011 at 2:21 PM
Unknown said…
It's been a pleasure having you visit today JL. Hope you do so again. Thanks everyone for stopping by!
November 27, 2011 at 4:55 PM
Minnette Meador said…
Great post, you guys. And I'm with you 1000% on research, JL. I spent hours/days/months on research to bring reality to my books and it takes work. If you want to write a fabulous book the facts need to be right. Believe me, I'm not always perfect, but I make a herculine effort as do lots of really good writers out there that do their homework.
November 28, 2011 at 1:14 AM
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