My Author Internet Searches

There is an ongoing joke in the writing community that the FBI would have a particular interest in the internet search histories of authors. I thought I would share some of the most common or strangest things I research when it comes to writing my stories. 

I've touched on this a bit in my past blogs: Creating Flora and Fauna and How I Create Fictional Names (Non-Character). Names and animal research are pretty common.

As expected, I research or follow content creators for all-encompassing publishing advice—writing, editing, and the publishing industry in general.

I'm a bit of a stickler for trying to make things scientifically correct—even tiny details. I look up various medical conditions. This works for most existing medical issues. But since my fictional world deals with children who don't age, I have to consult with people I know in the medical field to come up with educated guesses.

Similar searches include sciences like astronomy, physics, and engineering.

Some of my strangest searches include things that are so basic that I really have no idea how to describe them in my writing. My research is varied, though, and has included:

• types of bird beaks,

• how to suture,

• pottery designs,

• anything medieval,

• random factoids about pediatric biology,

• how to describe lettuce,

• combat and weapons,

• so much space stuff, and

• my favourite: what is the [insert random description] on the [insert random object] called?
  

Honestly, I really should just revisit my old junior high curriculum for some of these. But…I am happy to report that I know a lot about baking, so all those references required very little research.