60 Second Research

www.psychology.unl.edu

 

 

I'm all about research.

It makes any story more real and believable. It adds that verisimilitude quality that writers crave.

Ah, verisimilitude, my all time favourite word.

 

ver·i·si·mil·i·tude

   /ˌvɛrəsɪˈmɪlɪˌtud, -ˌtyud/ Show Spelled[ver-uh-si-mil-i-tood, -tyood]  noun
- the appearance or semblance of truth; likelihood; probability: eg. The play lacked verisimilitude.

 

Thus research leads to a feeling of truth to what you are writing. This makes readers connect with your characters and your story, believing that "this could actually happen to me or someone I know." This is especially important when you write for children and young adults, as I do.

 

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Like an archaeologist digging for ancient treasures or a geneticist studying DNA, I study the under 18 crowd.

 

And where can you find prime specimens to study? The mall is like a teen aquarium, perfect for the professional eavesdropper and covert note taker, such as myself.

 

(Important to remember - this is far different than stalking kids. That will get you jail time. Think of this as a handy tip from me to you.)

 

What if you haven't the time or inclination to spend hours sitting on a hard metal bench recording the world go by?

 

Might I suggest a 60 second survey of your own kids and their friends. This morning, prior to 8:30, and still in my comfy jammies, I gleaned these 4 important truths: 

 

Fact: Big sisters are annoying, especially if they are 13.

Fact: You don't want to turn 13, if you can help it.

Fact: 11 and 12 year old girls HATE being called tweens.

Fact: Think hard about getting bangs. Growing hair back takes, like, forever.

 

Another handy tip:

you'll know if you've gone over your allotted 60 seconds when your child's eye rolling begins.

 

 

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