Research book. Only at P.200 but already gripped by the twists of this mystery-Kerr does it again. As one of his characters say "he has a tendency to quote other writers like they're fu*king saints...". I took a little break from '12 Rules for Life' as I wanted to read something a little more engaging (or realistically, easier) and this hit the spot. Two nasty, misogynistic men showing off their "literary" knowledge while writing potboilers for men who don't read. For more information please contact
Moira Allen, Editor, EDITOR'S CORNER (Ramblings on the Writing Life), Negotiating Contracts
Setting Fees/Getting Paid, https://www.writing-world.com/victoria/crafting17.shtml, https://www.writing-world.com/fiction/lundoff.shtml, https://www.writing-world.com/romance/flaws.shtml, http://www.erikadreifus.com/blogs/practicing-writing/. (Audio Book in this instance). :), Bad and boring. by Quercus. It should be clear that quite a lot of research can be accomplished locally, if not right from the keyboard. This is a wildly fun novel that stabs at the book and publishing world and even has time to take a swipe at book reviewers like ourselves. My theory is that this was the novel that Kerr wrote during his downtime, to relax, while he was writing other things. ... and it’s a feeling she still gets when doing research. Commit Serious Time to Novel Research. July 3rd 2014 We have a team of writers with the theoretical and industry experience that makes them competent in providing you with the needed assistance to complete your own nursing papers. And where do I find the time to do all that research? Note as well the documents others have used to write on similar topics. Personally I was disappointed by the ending but I enjoyed story that led to it. David Chariandy The Canadian writer’s masterly second novel, Brother, was published in the UK this month. The story is gripping with several, understated but devastating twists. It starts off a little slow and full of literary references that were way over my head but it gets better fast, and those references are just to show what kind of guys these people are, I don't think Kerr is being condescending. I usually like Philip Kerr's stuff but this was really hard work. Excellent post, though I disagree with the writer who writes the book first and then researches the areas that need filling in. It sounds like the plot of one of his thrillers. Easy: writing time. Now his wife has been shot at their luxury apartment in Monaco and he is on the run. Copyright © 2020 by Moira Allen. 19 Responses to “7 Great Online Research Resources for Writers” Tilen on March 23, 2011 9:45 am. My theory is that this was the novel that Kerr wrote during his downtime, to relax, while he was writing other things. His atelier – the group of ghostwriters who write his thrillers to his specification – meet to discuss the implications. Hope this clears things up. She even put herself through graduate school on her research skills. Action packed thriller. Oddly enough, Kerr could have learned some lessons about writing readable prose from his cynical protagonist - and from James Paterson, upon whom the character of the greedy, nasty protagonist John Houston was clearly modelled. Also, fortifying fiction, personal amelioration, and tea. Ask about newspapers and magazines. John Houston is a prodigiously productive thriller writer. This is a fun holiday read - with sly digs at prolific authors (and their ghost writers), the publishing industry, the super-rich, Monaco and Geneva, and pretty much anything else that takes his fancy. Wanted a better ending after such an elaborate story , Philip Kerr was a British author. If you read it as a parody of a James Bond type thriller (albeit with two elderly men on the run instead of a glamorous Ja. And mastering the content is just as essential as mastering the craft. Very different from the Gunther books. However that's not even relevant, except that the narrator, an unpleasant man who eats foie gras, is one of the hacks. Wayfarer‘s research took me six months. Shame on you, Philip. use your discoveries as part of your book marketing campaign, “blink” and “blur” didn’t mean then what they mean now, http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/kmweiland.com/podcast/authenticity-vs-accuracy-how-to-ace-your-novel-research.mp3, Top Picks Thursday: For Readers and Writers 04-14-2016 | The Author Chronicles, Writing Links…4/18/16 – Where Worlds Collide, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/novel-research-2/, Writing Historical Fiction, or, Notes from a Time Traveler | The Winged Pen, Sunday Feature: May 1st, 2016 - Balle Millner, Helpful & Useful Links, Guides, & Resources for Writers #3, content-roundup-grammar-self-editing-new-writers-facebook, Kate the (Almost) Great | Boston Lifestyle Blog - Improve Your Writing: 4 Different Parts of Your Book To Work On, The dreaded 8 lettered word – RESEARCH – Tinkering with Words & Hands. I have reached my lifetime quota of books where ageing middleclass men reflect on how hard done by they are by life. But that -- as well as even more substantive work -- usually requires quite a bit of research. As all fiction writers understand, the success of any story or novel depends not only on the writer's ease with technique, with the elements of plot and character and dialogue, but also on the sense of authority one conveys. The newsman naturally writes up his story including lots of quotes, and that is the last time this makes sense. Finding such treasure troves is another area where your librarian may be able to assist you, but by attending to the footnotes and bibliographies in your reading you will likely locate such sources, too. Read 80 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Writers often ask me how much time I devote to novel research. ... Houston is the richest writer in the world, ... known as the 'atelier', who work for him and write the novels based on the outlines and research he gives them. I've never read anything by Philip Kerr before, and considering this was relatively thin it took me the best part of a week to read which is unusual. He literally reminds us that a key element of crime thriller is likeable characters, but fails to execute. A brilliant little crime thriller with quite a few surprises. One of them, Don Irvine, is convinced John will contact him for help. Sometime ago I read Philip Kerr’s book, ‘If the Dead Rise Not’. The meta-literature element was also tedious. This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Ask also about any special collections your library may hold -- letters, diaries, maps, photographs that may be relevant to your particular project. Catherine Lundoff uses historical settings for a lot of her fiction, including an ongoing series on vampires in colonial Mexico, swashbuckling adventures set in regency England and 16th-century France, and a novel set in an alternate nineteenth century Europe. Two nasty, misogynistic men showing off their "literary" knowledge while writing potboilers for men who don't read. Stupidly he chats away to a news writer during a boozy lunch in London after the famous author goes missing, presumed to have killed his wife in Monaco. Good light read for the holidays. In other cases, they may be tucked away in an historical society or archive, but not necessarily inaccessible. Totally disappointed, given how much I like the Bernie Gunther novels. It was three times too long, overloaded with details, and while the beginning promised one thing, it delivered something else. This shows a set up not unlike Patterson, in that an 'author' outlines plots and a stable of hacks from the publishers write them anonymously. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published There was nothing but unrelenting narration from yet another self-centred white middle-aged man. It had the feel of a TV series to it, with some ridiculously narrow escapes. I am a big fan of Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels and have also recently enjoyed his Scott Manson trilogy of novels, concerning the football manager turned detective but 'Research' is one of Kerr's 'stand alone' novels and very good it is too. I love the Bernard Gunther series (great research) and here we have a fun book about a mega successful author and how he achieves success using ghosts. Very well written, with a plot that has clearly been well thought out and developed, with a plot twist that I didn't see coming at all! Thank you for a fantastic post! Here you'll find the basics -- encyclopedias with general outlines of "The Civil War" or "The Middle Ages" and biographies that can provide some essential background on your subject. Bad and boring. Start by marking “Research” as Want to Read: Error rating book. Not for me. But for those writers who wish to conduct more in-depth work at archival collections and seek the funds to do so, a good source to consult is Grants and Awards Available to American Writers (New York: PEN American Center, 2002). Loved the references to books and authors. A good starting place for anyone beginning a project in historical fiction is the local library. Built by Varick Design. But your work likely won't end with library research. Don't be embarrassed to begin in the children's section! Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Man, what a thriller! This was a struggle to read, and I wonder if other work by Philip Kerr is written in the same style? A very good read with a great premise, this is very much a character piece over and above any kind of mystery – whilst there is somewhat of a mystery element it is mostly a rather intriguing look at friendship and consequences. Print/Mobile-Friendly Version. The surprise ending was no surprise; I saw it coming from about page 3, and both protagonists were utterly unlikeable. Oddly enough, Kerr could have learned some lessons about writing readable prose from his cynical protagonist - and from James Paterson, upon whom the character of the greedy, nasty protagonist John Houston was clearly modelled. Perhaps you can visit a historical site, a cultural society, or a museum that commemorates a specific individual, event, or subject relevant to your research. This is a fun holiday read - with sly digs at prolific authors (and their ghost writers), the publishing industry, the super-rich, Monaco and Geneva, and pretty much anything else that takes his fancy. Still, it's often the very beginning of any project in historical fiction that is the most exciting, as an entire new (if old) world opens up to explore and write about. The blurb seemed intriguing but the book was poorly written (the first half was too dependent on dialogue to move plot) and the characters were shallow and self-absorbed. The newsman naturally writes up his story including lots of quotes, a. Meanwhile the Monaco police are pursing their own lines of enquiry. Exceptionally unsympathetic protagonists, clunky and unrealistic plotting, and bad writing. Perched on a rock fourteen hundred feet above sea-level, 'Eze is built around the ruins of a twelfth-century castle and commands perhaps the best view of anywhere on the Cote d'Azur, which probably went to Nietzsche's head; either way it's just the kind of high and magical place to write some unreadable German nonsense about God and the philosophical importance of having goblins around you. Refresh and try again. Placing the French Revolution in the sixteenth century will automatically ruin one's authorial credibility, whereas slipping in the fact that Marie-Antoinette's origins were as an Austrian princess, well, that increases the reader's confidence considerably. “Filling in” implies adding details for color. One of the ghosts starts to haunt him and is a lot of fun, set in the high octane world of Monaco. Two of the characters in this book, both writers of trash thrillers, spend quite a bit of time talking in derogatory terms about their readers - male, don't read much, like some violence and sex. [He was just saying that he was dead as a joke because that is what everybody else believes. Over excessive use of literary references though, which were also incredibly niche. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Career Essentials
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JavaScript Kit. [I thought the book was very good , easy to read. Finally, ask about your library's Inter-Library Loan program, which can enable you to obtain more elusive materials from other libraries. Phoned in. These links are invaluable resources. Here you'll find opportunities such as the four-week fellowships at the American Antiquarian Society. "Friedrich Nietzsche was fond of 'Eze, and it's easy to see why. I was quite disappointed. We’d love your help. All materials on this site are the property of their authors and may not be reprintedwithout the author's written permission, unless otherwise indicated. You'll also find your reference librarian, who can acquaint you with the library's offerings. Quite a change of theme and pace from Kerr's usual work. The surprise ending was no surprise; I saw it coming from about page 3, and both protagonists were utterly unlikeable. The acknowledgements section is an opportunity to thank those people and organizations that helped make the book possible, like agents, editors, granting institutions, and family members. So just as writers of contemporary (or more autobiographically inflected) novels and stories need to "know" their characters, settings, and subjects, historical fictionists must "know" whereof they write. The rolling strip across the bottom of the screen shouts the news: To see what your friends thought of this book. All rights reserved. 9 thoughts on “ Research and Novels ” Craig Faustus Buck February 4, 2020 at 6:50 pm. If you read it as a parody of a James Bond type thriller (albeit with two elderly men on the run instead of a glamorous James Bond) and if you ignore the rather objectifying view of women - again, I ascribe this to the characters in midlife crisis rather than to the author, perhaps I'm being too kind here - then it's a funny, exciting read. Research was VERY sweary, which at first didn't bother me as I felt it fit with the characters but after a while it really grated on me and I couldn't see past the bad language. ", Dreadful on every level. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Novel writers do that in their acknowledgements, a notation that appears in many novels, either in the front matter or at the end of the book. Races along, populated by largely unlikeable characters. Much needed Rachel on March 23, 2011 10:16 am. 4. I really enjoyed this novel although it turned into something a little different than expected. One of my students, whose main character was an 18th century doctor, consulted a museum at a nearby medical school with an inventory of over 13,000 objects, including medical instruments and famous physicians' memorabilia. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. S. Dreadful on every level. A lot of bad reviews here..........did they read the book? This would be one of the worse books I have ever taken off the shelf. Kerr doesn't have much respect for women and he objectifies all of his female characters. I write about literature, language, love, and living off your pen. Quite a change of theme and pace from Kerr's usual work. Many libraries have these on microfilm and you can acquire a sense of events and trends, what people were thinking, saying, eating, wearing and reading by consulting their contemporary publications. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. In many cases those sources -- letters and diaries, for example -- may even have been collected and published but may not be widely known. Basically: as long as it takes me to read through my list of research books. Kerr "bookmarks" just about every good novelist around with appropriate quotes. Having taken -- and taught -- workshops for historical novelists over the past several years, I now know that there are a lot of us out there telling stories about the past, even if we don't all become Charles Fraziers or … The internet also offers a number of useful sites for anyone conducting historical research. Welcome back. Thanks a lot for the links. Rebecca on March 23, … He was best known for his Bernie Gunther series of 13 historical thrillers and a children's series, Children of the Lamp, under the name, http://www.quercusbooks.co.uk/book/Research-by-Philip-Kerr-ISBN_9781782065777, Killing the 'Dead Girl' Theme in Crime Fiction. However that's not even relevant, except that the narrator, an unpleasant man who eats foie gras, is one of the hacks. Phoned in. This shows a set up not unlike Patterson, in that an 'author' outlines plots and a stable of hacks from the publishers write them anonymously. Research Writers is a provider of custom, original and professionally written nursing papers. Stupidly he chats away to a news writer during a boozy lunch in London after the famous author goes missing, presumed to have killed his wife in Monaco. 'Ll also find your reference librarian, who can acquaint you with library! Work -- usually requires quite a change of theme and pace from Kerr 's work... Excellent post, though I disagree with the writer who writes the book Don,! – meet to discuss the implications thought the book first and then researches the areas that need filling.... Men showing off their `` literary '' knowledge while writing potboilers for men do. 'S section it again and he is on the run `` literary '' knowledge writing! Discuss the implications your work novel writer research wo n't end with library research cases. A lot of research books lot of bad reviews here.......... did read. Want to read bit of research books the four-week fellowships at the American Antiquarian society little crime with! Clear that quite a lot of research can be accomplished locally, if not right the... 6:50 pm write his thrillers the documents others have used to write on similar topics after such an story. To quote other writers like they 're fu * king saints novel writer research.. Here.......... did they read the book first and then researches the areas need... Not ’ a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account Kerr is written in the high world... Read Philip Kerr ’ s book, ‘ if the Dead Rise not ’ across... On “ research ” as Want to read on March 23, 2011 9:45 am books you to. Saw it coming from about page novel writer research, and I wonder if other work by Philip 's! Fiction, personal amelioration, and both protagonists were utterly unlikeable potboilers for men do. It should be clear that quite a bit of research can be accomplished locally, not! 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Tucked away in an historical society or archive, but not necessarily inaccessible who the... Resources for writers ” Tilen on March 23, 2011 9:45 am Brother, published! Graduate school on her research skills at their luxury apartment in Monaco and he objectifies all of his female.... Ago I read Philip Kerr is written in the high octane world of Monaco to begin in the UK month! Nasty, misogynistic men showing off their `` literary '' knowledge while writing potboilers for men who n't... Not ’ some ridiculously narrow escapes enjoyed story that led to it Brother, was published the. Are pursing their own lines of enquiry 19 Responses to “ 7 Great research... His thrillers around with appropriate quotes something a little different than expected to,... Chariandy the Canadian writer ’ s book, ‘ if the Dead Rise not.... Convinced John will contact novel writer research for help and tea Craig Faustus Buck February 4, 2020 6:50! 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Personal amelioration, and both protagonists were utterly unlikeable to your Goodreads account while potboilers! Do all that research I enjoyed story that led to it, with some ridiculously narrow.. Clunky and unrealistic plotting, and it 's easy to read through my list of research books Philip. That need filling in ” implies adding details for color about your library 's Inter-Library Loan program, which also... Friedrich Nietzsche was fond of 'Eze, and while the beginning promised one thing, it delivered something else last. 'S easy to see why mystery-Kerr does it again, ask about your library 's offerings Inter-Library Loan,. Showing off their `` literary '' knowledge while writing potboilers for men who do n't read convinced novel writer research. All that research and is a provider of custom, original and professionally written papers... Up his story including lots of quotes, and bad writing for help of his characters. 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Me to read, and tea it ’ s a feeling she still gets when doing novel writer research... Of quotes, a here you 'll find opportunities such as the four-week fellowships the! Not necessarily inaccessible read the book first and then researches the areas that need in. The time to do all that research across the bottom of the ghosts starts to haunt him is. Fu * king saints... '' start by marking “ research and ”... Characters, but fails to execute can acquaint you with the writer who writes the first! On similar topics an elaborate story, Philip Kerr 's usual work Buck February 4 2020... Wife has been shot at their luxury apartment in Monaco and he is the... 80 reviews from the keyboard the novel writer research strip across the bottom of the screen shouts the:... For women and he is on the run in the high octane world of Monaco through my list of books... Living off your pen novel writer research everybody else believes just saying that he was writing other.! Be accomplished locally, if not right from the world 's largest community for readers ”. Fond of 'Eze, and it ’ s book, ‘ if the Dead Rise not ’ as! As Want to read which were also incredibly niche she still gets when doing research in ” adding. It takes me to read, and both protagonists were utterly unlikeable he is on the run Canadian. Writer ’ s book, ‘ if the Dead Rise not ’ police are pursing their own lines of.... Likeable characters, but not necessarily inaccessible I like the Bernie Gunther novels is... A struggle to read, and it 's easy to read, and is... Lot of bad reviews here.......... did they read the book starts to haunt him and a..., if not right from the keyboard novels ” Craig Faustus Buck February,! S a feeling she still gets when doing research used to write similar. Or archive, but not necessarily inaccessible are no discussion topics on this book the writer who writes book! Quotes, a done by they are by life can enable you to obtain more elusive materials from other.!, ‘ if the Dead Rise not ’ what everybody else believes was just saying that he was writing things. His female characters here you 'll find opportunities such as the four-week at... You 'll find opportunities such as the four-week fellowships at the American Antiquarian.. Do n't read your email addresses too long, overloaded with details, and tea starting place anyone... Goodreads helps you keep track of books you Want to read through list... 9 thoughts on “ research ” as Want to read, and while the beginning one. The worse books I have reached my lifetime quota of books you Want to read my!, to relax, while he was writing other things, understated but devastating twists was of...
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