Doreen has agreed to talk to us about the importance of researching for your book. I’ve heard fiction writers state they “don’t need to research anything” because their book is fiction; but that can be far from the truth. Let’s chat with Doreen and find out just why every writer may need to do some searching before they complete their book project.
Carol Denbow: Welcome Doreen! Thank you for taking the time to answer some important questions for us. But first, please tell us a little about your books.
Doreen Pendgracs: THANKS CAROL. I’VE CO-AUTHORED 2 TRAVEL-RELATED BOOKS: A FROMMER’S GUIDE, AS WELL AS THE MANITOBA BOOK OF EVERYTHING – WHICH IS A CANADIAN BESTSELLER. MY FIRST SOLO PROJECT WAS BEFORE YOU SAY YES … A BOOK DESIGNED TO HELP ANYONE WHO IS CURRENTLY VOLUNTEERING FOR OR CONSIDERING VOLUNTEERING FOR A NON-PROFIT GROUP OR ASSN. MY CURRENT PROJECT IS CHOCOLATOUR, A BOOK THAT COMBINES MY PASSIONS FOR CHOCOLATE, PEOPLE AND PLACES.
Carol Denbow: Okay, let’s get down to the basics. Please tell us what you needed to research to complete your book Before You Say Yes.
Doreen Pendgracs: THAT PROJECT WAS FAIRLY EASY FOR ME TO RESEARCH AND WRITE AS I WAS SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. I DID INTERVIEW 20 UBER VOLUNTEERS AS WELL, TO AUGMENT THE INFO FROM MY OWN BOARD EXPERIENCES AND FOR INFO ON SITUATIONS I HAD NOT PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED.
Carol Denbow: Where did you find your information for the book?
Doreen Pendgracs: I’VE VOLUNTEERED FOR NUMEROUS ORGS OVER THE PAST 25+ YEARS AND SO I HAD EXTENSIVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE TO DRAW FROM. BECAUSE OF MY MEMBERSHIPS IN VARIOUS ORGS AND EXTENSIVE NETWORK, I HAD ACCESS TO NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE INVALUABLE INUT FOR MY BOOK. I ALWAYS ADVISE WRITERS TO LOOK WITHIN THEIR OWN NETWORKS FOR SOURCES AS THEY’RE OFTEN RIGHT UNDER THEIR NOSES.
Carol Denbow: How about your upcoming release Chocolatour? What kind of research did you need to do for that book? Was it more difficult to accomplish, and were your contacts different from your first book?
Doreen Pendgracs: RESEARCH FOR CHOCOLATOUR HAS BEEN EXTENSIVE AND IS ONGOING. I’VE BEEN TRAVELLING THE WORLD IN SEARCH OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE CHOCOLATE MAKERS AND BEST CHOCOLATE. I MUST SAY … IT’S QUITE THE FUN PROJECT, BUT IS A LITTLE TOUGH ON THE WAISTLINE. IT’S AMAZING THE KIND OF SACRIFICES WRITERS AND AUTHORS MUST MAKE FOR THEIR READERS.
Carol Denbow: I realize you have not written a fiction book (yet), but in your opinion, does a fiction writer need to research for their book? Any why?
Doreen Pendgracs: FICTION WRITERS DEFINITELY NEED TO CONDUCT RESEARCH FOR THEIR BOOKS IN ORDER TO MAKE THEM REAL AND BELIEVEABLE. I KNOW MANY AUTHORS WHO HAVE TRAVELLED THE WORLD TO GET HISTORICAL FACTS AND INTERESTING ANECDOTES TO PUT INTO THEIR NOVELS.
Carol Denbow: Doreen, I am so pleased you agreed to do this interview and your information is extremely important to other writers. Thank you for joining us and please close by reminding us where visitors can learn more about or purchase your books.
Doreen Pendgracs: THANKS CAROL. IT’S BEEN A PLEASURE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE AT http://www.wizardofwords.net/.
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2 comments:
Pleasure to be featured on your site, Carol. I forgot to mention that I have a blog for writers on which we discuss the writing life, virtues and other challenges and temptations. I invite you and your readers to drop in at: http://doreenisthewizardofwords.blogspot.com/ and join the conversation. And join the "tribe!" We have loads of meaningful and inspirational conversations there.
Best regards,
Doreen Pendgracs
I did quite a bit of research and then a storm changed the landscape of my setting. I think that is what's holding me back. I'm worried that people will actually think I didn't do research or that my book is now dated.
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