Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

  • home
  • Bio
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Anthologies
    • Blue Birds
    • The Burning Season
    • Jasper and the Riddle of Riley’s Mine
    • May B.
    • Miraculous
    • Over in the Wetlands
    • A Race Around the World
    • Ride On, Will Cody!
  • Author Visits
  • Virtual Visits
  • Events
  • Teacher Resources
  • Contact
  • Writing One to One

Research: Starting Something New

16 Comments

I’m in the midst of a new writing project, and I’ve yet to write anything. I know this manuscript will be another mid-grade novel-in-verse and will be about a Spanish Gypsy girl. That’s all I’ve determined so far.

What I have done is start my research, something that is both satisfying and terrifying at the same time. When I start a project that involves research, I can be very intimidated by how little I know and how much there is to learn. At the same time, I love the thrill of surrounding myself with new information, like I’ve created my own study program that can take any direction I choose. There is a lot of freedom and a lot of responsibility, too.

Whatever I end up creating, it needs to be accurate in regard to the people, location, and time period I eventually choose to focus on. Because the Gypsy people are scattered around the world, each group has distinct regional structures. There are certain customs seen throughout all Gypsy groups (taboos, a focus on the cleanliness/separateness of the Gypsy people, strong family ties, and usually the Romani language — though some only now know a few Romani words and speak the language of the country where they now live).

In all research, it is also essential to present the people, location, and time period in a way that is respectful. For my current research, this is important on several levels:

  • Gypsies have traditionally been rejected by mainstream society. I’ll have to figure out a way to show this tension in a way that is accurate in the ways humans make sense of one another while making sure my approach is respectful. Sympathetic character development will be key.

  • I’ll have to keep in mind the terminology of the times and somehow make it work respectfully and accurately.

  • I have to keep in mind the Gypsy groups of today.

I remember Betsy James coming to my children’s literature class in college. She read from her beautiful picture book about the Anasazi people, ancestors of the Pueblo Indians of the Southwest. At the time, she talked about how difficult it was to write of a culture other than one’s own.

There’s an extra level of accuracy and respect needed in approaching a different culture, and it is important, in the very least, to run your ideas by members of the group you’re writing about. I’ve been in touch with the director of the Gypsy Lore Society, asking really basic questions about how I might proceed respectfully. He has graciously pointed out texts that could prove helpful and which ones that probably won’t be.

And how much research have I done so far? Not much. I’ve read half a book and six articles. In other words, I’ll be at this for months.

There’s a lot to think about as I gather information. More on my very loose, open-ended research process another time.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Filed Under: historical fiction, the writing life

Comments

  1. Natalie says

    December 15, 2009 at 3:40 pm

    I’ve never done advance research for a project so I’m fascinated by your process. I really can’t wait to read this one.

    Reply
  2. Valerie Geary says

    December 15, 2009 at 3:51 pm

    Ahhh… research… I always find myself diving into the research then getting bored about 2 weeks into and starting to write…. 🙂 Then I have to go back and check my accuracy and research some more. Maybe I should stop writing historical fiction!! PS-Spanish gypsy girl?? Sign me up for a copy!!! I love this idea!

    Reply
  3. Shannon O'Donnell says

    December 15, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    You are a patient woman. I’m with Valerie – I think I would get too antsy, too excited to begin. Your way is far more practical (and probably more effective). Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. Caroline Starr Rose says

    December 15, 2009 at 4:18 pm

    Natalie, I can be easily intimidated by writing something new, let alone writing about something I know nothing about! I have to take little steps (maybe that’s why I spend so much time reading up before I begin).

    It’s a lot like yesterday’s post: stumbling around in the dark, trusting something will come out of it.

    Writing is always a leap of faith, isn’t it?

    Reply
  5. Kristi Faith says

    December 15, 2009 at 6:55 pm

    You summed up my feelings on research in your second paragraph perfectly. Only sometimes, my fear overrides my excitement. Like Natalie, I can’t wait to read more of your process. I keep feeling a draw to write a historical fiction novel, but I worry so much about accuracy, etc.. I haven’t tried yet.

    Reply
  6. ~Ellie Kings~ says

    December 15, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    I dated a Spanish gypsy once who played the guitar and sang beautifully! Like the Gypsy Kings. It was truly a wonderful experience. He and the other gypsies gathered to sing and dance. It was a feast everyday for them. You took me back, Caroline. 🙂 I’m sure you’ll do great with this new novel. You’re already on track.

    Reply
  7. Jemi Fraser says

    December 16, 2009 at 12:17 am

    I really enjoy research!! This sounds like a fascinating project 🙂

    Reply
  8. Rosslyn Elliott says

    December 16, 2009 at 3:04 am

    You sound like me–very analytical about writing. I think this is a strength. It takes me longer to start a project, but I need fewer rewrites because I really think it through in advance.

    Reply
  9. Tabitha Bird says

    December 16, 2009 at 4:52 am

    You are the second person I know writing about gypsies at the moment. Sounds very interesting.

    Reply
  10. PJ Hoover says

    December 16, 2009 at 8:27 pm

    It sounds like it’s the start of something wonderful, though. I can’t wait to see it in print!

    Reply
  11. kathrynjankowski says

    December 17, 2009 at 2:36 am

    Sounds intriguing. What brought you to the topic?

    I’ve been using Jerzy Ficowski’s fabulous “Gypsies in Poland” as the primary resource for Romany characters and settings in my book. Never thought about contacting the Gypsy Lore Society. Will you be asking for its feedback on your work?

    Came here via Natalie’s blog, btw. Congrats on the award.

    Reply
  12. Bethany Mattingly says

    December 17, 2009 at 5:01 am

    Your project sounds fascinating. I’m really big in researching for my books too. I hopped over to your blog from Natalie’s 🙂

    Reply
  13. Caroline Starr Rose says

    December 17, 2009 at 2:58 pm

    Hi Kathryn,
    How fun you’re writing about Gypsies, too! Have you read anything by Jan Yoors? His books are supposed to be excellent resources. I’ve bought a few but haven’t dug in yet.

    In what period is your book taking place? I’ve just read about the Gypsies of Poland, how nowadays there are few, and those who are there are assimilated into the Polish community. After the fall of communism, the “new” Gypsies have mainly been refugees, who have been openly rejected. It’s all so tragic.

    I’ve always been interested in Gypsies after an encounter I had as a teenager in Spain. My writing often circles around similar ideas. Marginalized people is kind of where I am now.

    Reply
  14. Christina Farley says

    December 18, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    Research projects are a lot of work but so rewarding. Have fun with it!

    Reply
  15. ann foxlee says

    December 21, 2009 at 5:35 am

    Oh yes, the research… My novel is set in a fantasy version of feudal Japan, and even with the ‘artistic license’ that fantasy versions allow, there are a lot of things that needed to be correct for the world to come across the way I wanted.
    Lucky for me my sister has lived in Japan for 12 years, her hubby is Japanese, and she is fluent. I have been fortunate enough to go there regularly, and between my sister, my friends in Japan, and my Japanese friends here at home, I have great references when google and the booksore fail me!

    I absolutely agree with the bit you said about accuracy and respect when writing about a different culture. I constantly worry about that! That and not coming off childish/simplistic. When my knowledge of a culture is less than that of a 5 year-old’s, it is hard to feel confident in what I’ve written.

    Did I say how much I love my sister? Best research partner ever 🙂

    Reply
  16. Caroline Starr Rose says

    December 21, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    Ann, how amazing to have such a great connection to the culture you’re studying!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Caroline Starr Rose
  • Email
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

my books

Subscribe to my newsletter + to receive regular blog posts

categories

  • A Race Around the World
  • authors
  • Blue Birds
  • books and reading
  • classroom connections
  • encouragement
  • faith
  • family
  • historical fiction
  • home
  • Jasper and the Riddle of Riley's Mine
  • May B.
  • Miraculous
  • non-fiction
  • Over in the Wetlands
  • poetry
  • publication
  • Ride On, Will Cody!
  • Song of the Raven
  • teaching
  • The Burning Season
  • The Notebook Series
  • the writing life
  • this and that

Copyright © 2023 · Caroline Starr Rose · Site by Design by Insight

I participate in Amazon Services LLC Associates and Bookshop.org, affiliate programs that allow me to make a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting this site!

Sign up for biweekly blog posts + my quarterly author newsletter and receive a printable quote from my novel, Blue Birds.