For one of the stories I'm writing, I'm trying to stay somewhat true to the historical time period, and I need to admit I was surprised by how much my preconceptions were wrong before going into the research.
I think the same is true for a lot of writers, at least getting started. And I know a lot of people find research to be more laborious and frustrating at least than I do. So I thought I'd start a thread for people to share the facts that you needed to know or were surprised to learn, and a little about the topics that you had to research for your writing - especially those facts that you think others writing similar stories will need to know.
So assume that I've seen the LOTR movies and want to write fantasy, but I know absolutely nothing about pre-modern times. What do I need to know so I can just get started writing?
I think the same is true for a lot of writers, at least getting started. And I know a lot of people find research to be more laborious and frustrating at least than I do. So I thought I'd start a thread for people to share the facts that you needed to know or were surprised to learn, and a little about the topics that you had to research for your writing - especially those facts that you think others writing similar stories will need to know.
So assume that I've seen the LOTR movies and want to write fantasy, but I know absolutely nothing about pre-modern times. What do I need to know so I can just get started writing?