A Question of Research

I am currently editing a novel where my heroine works with jewellery. I think it captures the essence of the Presents/Modern line – glamour and passion contained in both the jewels and the design.

But as with any job, the more I uncover, the more complicated it becomes. In order to give my book that authentic feel, research is essential and what a wonderful excuse to research diamonds, rubies and precious jewels! The hours I could spend in the name of research … !

It’s all very well being appreciative of the art and work that goes into these pieces, but what about the detail? That’s where it gets tricky. The internet can only help so far without that inside knowledge that is particular to the country I'm writing about and there’s nothing like incorrect details to pull a reader straight out of a story.

So, aware of the saying, ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get,’ I set about asking. And who better to ask than Boodles? 

Helpful and prompt in their reply and for that I can only say thank you.

I think Kate Adie’s autobiography summed it up in the title ‘The Kindness of Strangers’. People are more willing to help than we perhaps initially expect and doesn't that warm your heart?