: Re: Researching a hospital setting I want to use a hospital (specifically, Walter Reed in Bethesda) as a setting. How best do authors research the daily routine? Is there someone I can reach out

I had to do a similar thing at a veterinary surgery. I contacted one of the vets there, explained what I needed and she kindly blocked out an appointment for me.

The condition that put your character/s in hospital will determine the ward they are on. So, if it's neurology for example, I would contact the main line for that department and ask who the head of department is. Then, reach out to that person via email and ask if you can organise a visit to the ward.

Make sure you're very understanding of how busy the ward is and assure them that you will not get in anyone's way or take up too much time.

I find it helps to take photographs (or notes if that's not possible) of the setting. Tiny details add verisimilitude. You may even find some interesting characters there: nurses or doctors with interesting tics.

I wish you luck! I have had varying degrees of success in getting assistance of this kind. Some people are incredibly helpful and excited about helping with a novel, while others won't give you the time of day, so be prepared for that!

Load Full (0)

: How do I ratchet down expectations in a genre that seems to have gone gonzo? I've done worldbuilding and extensive plotting for a Book 1 based around a "detective" (not a literal detective

@Annie587

Load Full 5 Comments

: Create looping patterns within the dialog, such as the order that people speak, and little mannerisms within their speech. Then repeat the pattern a few times. You don't need to be too rigid

@Annie587

Load Full 0 Comments

: Archetype or Stereotype? After feedback on character design for my visual novel, my grizzled Noir Detective is drifting into an Old Jazz Musician. There's a reason I post the artwork: what

@Annie587

Load Full 6 Comments

: What is this hairstyle called? Now, here is the hairstyle in question: The character in the image has nothing to do with the question itself. It simply was the closest depiction about the

: Re: Researching a hospital setting I want to use a hospital (specifically, Walter Reed in Bethesda) as a setting. How best do authors research the daily routine? Is there someone I can reach out

More posts by @Annie587

: How do I ratchet down expectations in a genre that seems to have gone gonzo? I've done worldbuilding and extensive plotting for a Book 1 based around a "detective" (not a literal detective

: Create looping patterns within the dialog, such as the order that people speak, and little mannerisms within their speech. Then repeat the pattern a few times. You don't need to be too rigid

: Archetype or Stereotype? After feedback on character design for my visual novel, my grizzled Noir Detective is drifting into an Old Jazz Musician. There's a reason I post the artwork: what

: What is this hairstyle called? Now, here is the hairstyle in question: The character in the image has nothing to do with the question itself. It simply was the closest depiction about the

Login to post a comment!

0 Comments

Back to top