Once you have chosen your author it is time to start your research. First you have to decide on the investigative role that fits you best. There are three possibilities:
APersonal Life Investigator You are responsible for the information on your author's life. You have to answers the questions below.
1 Where and when was your author born? 2 Which cities did he/she live in? 3 Where did he/she go to college, if at all? 4 When/Why did he/she start writing? 5 Is there any information on what he/she was like as a person? 6 Where did he/she grow up? 7 Did he/she have other jobs or another career before he /she became a writer? 8 Does he/she have a lot of influence?
B: Literature Investigator You are responsible for reviewing 4 books the author the author has written. You have to answer the questions below.
1 Summarise the stories. Do not go too much into details! 2 Who are the main characters? 3 What are the main events? 4 What did you like/dislike about the books?
C: Background Investigator You will be responsible for information on the genre and style. You have to answer the questions below.
1 What genre? (e.g. crime, science fiction, horror, adventure, fantasy) 2 What are the most famous works of this author? 3 Describe the genre. What are characteristic elements in his/her books? 4 Why did you choose this author? Give three arguments. 5 What other authors have had an influence on your writer? 6 Is the author popular? (e.g. movies, series, Nobel Prize, etc.)
"I try to create sympathy for my characters, then turn the monsters loose." Stephen King