The Call of the Wild!
One of the delights of writing fiction is the imperative to bed it into reality. Sound strange? Not really. With historical fiction, for example, you wed your story to this earth through its place in place and time. And this is called world-building.
This can require extensive research, covering everything from bakery to fashion to martial arts. One chapter may require hours of research, which may lead you to visit several museums, or a bay in the Outer Isles. Or a weapons foundry. At home or abroad. The Wolf of Dalriada stories have for instance divided my enthusiastic attention between the Western Isles of Scotland and the 5th Arrondissement of Paris.
But even modern-day stories will require research and creating your own world may involve your travelling joyously in the pursuit of knowledge. Spring will soon be here! Get ready!
