How important are the Details?

[alpha-orionis-v.livejournal.com]

So, you're blasting through your novel this November, and then it happens. You hit a snag. Something that you wanted to have happen, but you don't really know anything about. Since it's NaNo, do you just trundle along anyway, making things up, fudging others, and employing the almighty handwavery? Or do you pause and sacrifice valuable minutes to go do the research to get your facts right?

Comments

[crystel-dream.livejournal.com]

I suppose it depends what kind of writer/person you are.

I know I'm a procrastinator. I go looking something up and not only will my word count for the day not get done but I probably wouldn't go back to the story until about the 28th because I'll be so busy "researching" stuff. Hence I make myself sit down within half an hour of me getting home from work and I get those daily words down. Then I can go and research things I'm not sure about if I need to.

If you're the kind of person who has what you need close at hand and can limit yourself to finding the item in a few minutes and get back to it (I envy you) then I don't think there would be any problem doing so.

[jesstherobot.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, I just spent like two solid minutes watching the entire progression of your icon. That's NOT A NICE THING TO HAVE WHEN EVERYONE'S PRESSED FOR TIME. :P