Isn't that just how it works? The desire to write properly only hits when other projects and deadlines are coming up. (Here I am, still awake even though I have to be at work extra-early tomorrow morning, because I have something I'm trying to write.)
For what it's worth, I think if the 'cultural' interaction is minimal and you're treating the subject with respect I don't think you need to worry about getting it horribly wrong. I'm still working out the extent to which I buy into "write what you know" myself, but from my own point of view (in terms of "what I know" vs. "what people write"), if someone wrote Chicago so it was laid out with the lake to the south I'd be a little irked, because that's a pretty simple thing to check. But I mean, movies twist the streets around and have people driving into Wisconsin to get to Indiana all the time just because it looks prettier, so... I'm not sure I can even really complain about that sort of thing, since it falls under artistic license so often... More to the point, though, if someone wanted to set something in a neighborhood they'd maybe passed through before and then done a bit of research on, even if it wasn't entirely correct I don't think Chicago (or most of the world, for that matter) is homogeneous enough that a bit of conscientious research and maybe a native eye to look it over won't get you in the clear as far as believability goes. Especially since you're writing fiction. If it was a historical/journalistic piece, sure, but as long as you're willing to do the research I don't think a vague fear of getting it wrong should stop you. (-: Anyway, research is the best part! I am horrible at it though, because I always get distracted and find myself so far afield I don't even remember what I was looking for in the first place. ^_^
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Date: 2010-08-30 04:32 am (UTC)For what it's worth, I think if the 'cultural' interaction is minimal and you're treating the subject with respect I don't think you need to worry about getting it horribly wrong. I'm still working out the extent to which I buy into "write what you know" myself, but from my own point of view (in terms of "what I know" vs. "what people write"), if someone wrote Chicago so it was laid out with the lake to the south I'd be a little irked, because that's a pretty simple thing to check. But I mean, movies twist the streets around and have people driving into Wisconsin to get to Indiana all the time just because it looks prettier, so... I'm not sure I can even really complain about that sort of thing, since it falls under artistic license so often... More to the point, though, if someone wanted to set something in a neighborhood they'd maybe passed through before and then done a bit of research on, even if it wasn't entirely correct I don't think Chicago (or most of the world, for that matter) is homogeneous enough that a bit of conscientious research and maybe a native eye to look it over won't get you in the clear as far as believability goes. Especially since you're writing fiction. If it was a historical/journalistic piece, sure, but as long as you're willing to do the research I don't think a vague fear of getting it wrong should stop you. (-: Anyway, research is the best part! I am horrible at it though, because I always get distracted and find myself so far afield I don't even remember what I was looking for in the first place. ^_^