I am from Eastern US and haven't yet traveled the world, but my story that I'm working on requires my MC to travel to the middle east. (Israel, Ethiopia, Pakistan) I would like to be very descriptive in my writing, but don't want to write the words 'sand' and 'hot' 50 times or be too cliche. Can anyone reccomend a way to research these areas I've never been to before? Thanks! J.J.
Perhaps you should look for some travel shows/documentaries? Their job is to be informative and descriptive about the places they're talking about so that might just be what you're looking for.
google reference and forum websites library reference books and photography books movies and novels set in those areas documentaries
Start with what Maia said. But if at all possible, go there. Second best alternative is to get to know someone who has been there, talk with that person, and actively listen.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I looked for a lot of home-made movies on YouTube for the areas and did more research! I'm getting closer to being a 'plotter', rather than a 'pantser'!
Not sure what that has to do with research - or why it should be a goal (unless 'pantsing' hasn't worked for you)... [Pantser here, in case that wasn't obvious. ]
Errr, you may wanna know that Ethiopia is not in the middle east. It is in Africa. Guess it's a good thing you're doing research on this eh?
Well, because I am doing all the groundwork and having the whole story complete before putting down the first word.
Okay - that's more writing methodology than how to research (and still doesn't explain why it's a goal), but whatever...
