Mwm Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Such as Clan of the Cave Bear. I’m not sure how much research went into that series, but I’m wondering what amount is needed for credibility in an era that’s not documented except in archeology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhom Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 27 minutes ago, Mwm said: Such as Clan of the Cave Bear. I’m not sure how much research went into that series, but I’m wondering what amount is needed for credibility in an era that’s not documented except in archeology. According to what I read, she did quite extensive research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iskaral Pust Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 It seems like you would want well-informed context like diet, lifestyle, health, dwellings, social structure (group size, gender roles, hierarchies, etc), tools/technology, seasonal variations, population density (for plausible interactions outside main tribe) and a specific knowledge of fauna and flora in that era. Less specific but still important, you would want archeological support to infer mindset, attitudes, taboos, culture, beliefs, mode of thinking (level of superstition bs rationalism; unreal overlaid on real, etc). i guess it all depends on your commitment to world-building and accurate portrayal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckwheat Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 I read that Auel did a lot of research for her novels - to the point where the later sequels lacked in plot and character-building and the books consisted mainly of descriptions of cave paintings, climate, and geography. One thing that seems off in my admittedly not well-informed opinion about these novels is the structure of the population though. I would expect that groups like that would have way more children compared to the number of adults and a higher childhood mortality rate than described in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatCoward Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 More than Iggulden did into the emperor books would be a starting point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Richard II Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 2 minutes ago, BigFatCoward said: More than Iggulden did into the emperor books would be a starting point. So more then 0 percent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatCoward Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 Just now, Darth Richard II said: So more then 0 percent? Yes, somewhere slightly above absolutely no research whatsoever is ideal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mwm Posted July 4, 2018 Author Share Posted July 4, 2018 5 hours ago, BigFatCoward said: More than Iggulden did into the emperor books would be a starting point. I mainly meant about periods where there is no documentation of what the actual era was like. Since there are actual records one could read from the time of Romans, says something different about Iggulden research habits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maarsen Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 Prehistory as a subject is just like studying the human brain as a subject. Every 20 years or so everything you thought was fact turns out to be not so much a fact anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werthead Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 I think any historical novel requires a reasonable amount of historical research to ground you in the moment. The more you go back, the less we know so the more the writer has the freedom to invent. David Gemmell, for example, did a fine job with his Troy Trilogy by combining the archaeological evidence, the legends and the historical data we have of Greek civilisation at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spockydog Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 If you mean research as in, 'How much detail do I need to put into my story?' then you might want to check out Angus Watson's Age of Iron series. He's done a pretty good job of bringing Iron Age Britain to life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry of the Lawn Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 I think it's absolutely horrific the amount of research writers are supposed to do. It's called artistic license for a reason. I'm sure Ken Hamm and the dinosaur riders agree with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Richard II Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Depends on what you are writing, I guess. I mean if you're going to make up a secondary world base on japan you should probably do more then watch some anime then read wiki. >.> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry of the Lawn Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Probably best research methods is to farm out the labor to a forum like that dude that wanted the 16th century pirates vs ninjas vs knights Templar asian-influenced setting. That way you let other people do all the work and then just cherry-pick the best stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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