How To Write a Historical Novel in Seven Easy Steps: Step Three
3. Get Organised
As I researched, I took notes and I filed all my bits of paper in a big folder:
How did writers function before Post-It notes were invented? I used Post-Its as bookmarks, to label sections of my notes and to jot down bits of information that might come in handy later. As I was reading, I was constantly on the lookout for interesting trivia, funny anecdotes, outrageous people – anything that I could fit into my own story.
After about six months, my notes had outgrown my folder and my brain was about to explode with all my ideas, which meant it was time to move onto my index cards:
For the FitzOsbornes at War, I ended up with about two hundred palm-sized cards, each one containing notes about an important event of the war and/or a significant event for one of my characters. Each card also had a date at the top, and a number that showed where the card fitted into the storyline, as well as page references for my sources of information. For example, here's card number 6:
If you can't read my writing (and I don't blame you if you can't – even I have trouble reading it sometimes), it says, "mid Sept 1939 - S + V in London, farewell party for Kennedy children (Rosemary + Mr K stay in London) p. 67 Kathleen Kennedy - Lady B boasts about Cynthia doing war work –> Aunt C allows S + V to train in London".
This tells me that in an early chapter, I need to move my two main characters, Sophie and Veronica, to London, re-introduce my readers to the Kennedy family and explain why Kathleen Kennedy leaves England. I also need to explain why their strict guardian, Aunt Charlotte, allows Sophie and Veronica to stay in London by themselves. And if I need to check any facts about this, I should look on page 67 of Kathleen Kennedy's biography.
Organising all two hundred cards into some sort of logical order gave me a big, big headache, but when it was done, I could finally start writing. Yay!
Tomorrow: The actual writing bit
Yes, I even colour-code my rubber bands. They're dividing the cards into years, starting with 1939 at the top - you can see that a lot happened in 1940!
Love the picture of the side view of index cards and different colored rubberbands. This is coming from someone who gets excited over office supplies.
Andrea Zu
Thanks for the response! I think your right about having readers who can put up with a lot of facts; I just started reading the first two books again, and rediscovered why I loved them so much in the first place! I will definately have to buy my own copies, as the copies I am reading now are from my local library! -Elizabeth Pearl (Who is waiting impatiently for October to come)
Araminta18, I try to mix up computer work with hand-writing, so I don't end up with RSI in my mouse-using hand/arm/shoulder. I do keep a research file on the computer, but I also find it easier to refer to notes in my folder when typing.
Thanks, Anonymous - hope you enjoy the rest of the blog posts!
Elizabeth Pearl, that's a very good point. It is difficult trying to get the balance right, and I don't always succeed. Luckily, I have editors who are good at saying, 'This is fascinating information, but it doesn't move the plot forward and it slows down the pace.' I ended up cutting a whole chapter in The FitzOsbornes at War for that reason. The other thing is, I think I have readers who aren't put off by lots of facts and can cope with a bit of rambling on about politics and history.
Steph, it's actually quite difficult finding lined index cards in the correct size in shops these days! I stock up whenever I see them.
Glad to see that notecards still have their usage past school! But I like your system, it makes sense which, I suppose, is very helpful. :D
-steph
Was it hard to whittle all those facts down into one story? It seems to me that you would be in danger of overloading the reader with more facts than they could handle. I mean, I love finding out interesting bits of things, but then I end up with a whole bunch of things to try to fit into one piece. I guess it's sort of a balance. -Elizabeth Pearl
I am LOVING reading about your process for creating this book, which has already shot to the top of my all-time favorites list.
I have writer friends who prefer to keep their notes and things on the computer--do you not like taking notes/organizing your novel on the computer? it seems ilke it would be a lot of writing--your hand must hurt!
araminta18
