I've found again and again that it makes a difference if the author of something, particularly if it's historical, has visited places and did hands-on research like that.
I agree! I find it invaluable, especially with historical fiction, it makes it much more real to get to the ground and get to know the places. I also feel it makes it much easier to write and to really see the places and events in my mind. I'm also really into writing that has a strong sense of place, and I've discovered I love to write about places I know, and try to make the setting properly a part of the story. And even if you're writing about a place you can't visit, or about a fictional world or another planet or such, it can be helpful to go to places like it. Like if you were writing about a fantasy world or a planet that's covered by huge forests, it's a good idea to visit real old forests if you can.
I'm sorry you're feeling poorly with the head cold, the pollen allergy, and the heat. I hear that pollen allergies are particularly vicious this year, because of the weather patterns this spring. I fortunately don't get any, at least not from plants which grow here, but a lot of my friends are allergic to birches, which have had a crazily intense pollen spring. Hope you feel better soon and that the worst pollen phase passes.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2019-06-03 08:19 pm (UTC)I agree! I find it invaluable, especially with historical fiction, it makes it much more real to get to the ground and get to know the places. I also feel it makes it much easier to write and to really see the places and events in my mind. I'm also really into writing that has a strong sense of place, and I've discovered I love to write about places I know, and try to make the setting properly a part of the story. And even if you're writing about a place you can't visit, or about a fictional world or another planet or such, it can be helpful to go to places like it. Like if you were writing about a fantasy world or a planet that's covered by huge forests, it's a good idea to visit real old forests if you can.
I'm sorry you're feeling poorly with the head cold, the pollen allergy, and the heat. I hear that pollen allergies are particularly vicious this year, because of the weather patterns this spring. I fortunately don't get any, at least not from plants which grow here, but a lot of my friends are allergic to birches, which have had a crazily intense pollen spring. Hope you feel better soon and that the worst pollen phase passes.