Insecure Writer's Support Group: Bane of My Existence

Insecure Writer's Support Group is a blog hop hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh where totally insecure writers can get together and share the things that are making us go argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May's question is:  What is the weirdest/coolest thing you ever had to research for your story?

I think I’ve complained on here a number of times about how much I dislike research. It’s number two on my list of things I hate about being a writer after editing. Sadly, much like editing, research is unavoidable. Which is why I try and write what I know as much as I can! Most of my characters so far have been gardeners/florist/horticulturalists. For my novel Poison which has its base in genetically modified organisms, I watched a lot of documentaries just to get a bit of a big picture idea of who the key players are. If you haven’t seen Food Inc. I really recommend it. I don’t know if I would class it as cool but all the things Monsanto do to our food supply is eye opening.

I’m going to be starting an urban fantasy series soon that’s going to require a lot of research. Though I’m not exactly looking forward to it, I’m hoping the copious amounts of research that I do early on will mean writing will be a breeze. Only time will tell! 

Insecure Writer's Support Group: Research How I Hate Thee

Insecure Writer's Support Group is a blog hop hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh where totally insecure writers can get together and share the things that are making us go argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
       My insecurity this month is about research and how much I detest doing it. Have you ever read a book review where the reader has commented on the improbability of  the world building making it difficult for them to suspend belief enough to enjoy the story? This is, without a doubt, my worst nightmare. Not only because an author's credibility can be shot down so much more quickly when their world building doesn't make sense but also because I find research mind numbingly boring. Even when the topic is one that I am interested in.
        I know most research is done to help improve the skeleton of a book rather than to be added to the actual story itself but it still takes up a lot of time. I also know it can't be avoided and that even if I do a lot of research there will always be people out there who know more than I do about any topic who will catch me out. I hate it! I hate it! I hate it! But I will keep doing it, if only because I can at least say I tried if it ever comes up.