Difference between researching fanfic and researching original novel I hope to publish

[dragonbat2006]

Fanfic:

• Start with Google


• Move on to friends who may be familiar with the area you need


• Go to places like little_details or fanfic_med


• Check the library/bookstore if it's not fannish, especially if you're going to need to know more on the topic for a long fic


• Tell yourself it's just fic and wing it, apologizing for possible research!fail in an author note if you must

Original Fic:

• Start with Google


• Move on to friends who may be familiar with the area you need


• Go to places like little_details or fanfic_med


• Check the library/bookstore if it's not fannish, especially if you're going to need to know more on the topic for a long fic


• Email various organizations in Ontario politely asking to connect with someone willing to review your draft and help you get it right and offering payment in cash or indy promotion.

I so do not want to mess up my minority character...

Comments

[biting_moopie]

Tell yourself it's just fic and wing it, apologizing for possible research!fail in an author note if you must

lol yep, this is exactly what I do!

[biting_moopie]

And I was going to do this for my Glee series, but because the fandom is a mess and a half, I'm not posting the fic and that's given me even more leeway.

[dragonbat2006]

LOL!

[biting_moopie]

:D The show itself is at least two whole messes, so it's no surprise the fandom is just as bad. But I have been picking and choosing from canon so much - half the fun of writing the series is deciding what to use and what to ignore.

[dragonbat2006]

My hard-and-fast rule is "if typing a couple of keywords into Google gives you what you need in the first page of hits, you have no excuse". Anything beyond that is me taking my fic more seriously than some people would.

I'm writing an original novel that features an Ojibwe character in a strong supporting role. And in trying to avoid all of the prevailing stereotypes (good and bad), I still want her to be someone that an Ojibwe reader can recognize and identify with. Right now, I'm pretty much paying lip service to diversity without really working on how her heritage informs her character. On the one hand, she's not the main character. We don't have to be in her head. On the other hand... I still want her to come out right.

So I've emailed the Batchewana Ojibwe nation asking politely for advice. We shall see if I hear anything.

[biting_moopie]

That's a pretty good rule!

It's so great that you're making sure you do right by the character. Lots of people don't even bother. I hope you get a response soon and can't wait to read your story!

[dragonbat2006]

Thanks! I've been posting chapters of it here (check the 'hero in my life' tag), in
'friends only' posts, if you're interested.