Day at the Museum

When I drafted the novel plan last year, I had to carry out a fair amount of historical research; bringing together my two loves. Now that I have my detailed chapter plan, it is time to get into the really detailed research. This week I have been to the Imperial War Museum and worked through diaries, letters and documents. Some of the accounts are very matter of fact and provide information on the processes that my character would have gone through. Others are descriptions of experience and are written in the most beautiful language. I became completely lost in one collection of letters: the minutiae of their daily life; their innermost thoughts and feelings; their closest friends. It was as if I were reading a novel. I haven’t finished going through them yet and am looking forward to going back. As I stated in a previous post, I do not want this novel to be filled with page upon page of historical detail. To be honest I would be overwhelmed at the task of faithfully recreating every feature of that time and place. It is not a history book. Rather, this research is intended to assure the accuracy of the narrative framework and find those beautiful gems that help to make real the world I am creating. I have a few more visits to go as there are also sound and film archives to go through. I cannot wait.