Funny things you've looked up for writing purposes

[CuteBunnyGirl]

As writers, it isn't too farfetch'd to say most of us have at one point or another looked up things for your story that might seem strange out of context. So, if you have any of those, feel free to share them in this thread with optional context for why you looked them up. Here's one of mine: The history of when ice cream was invented and brought to Japan (Context: It was to find out if a character from Hisui who ends up in the present day could know what it tastes like)

 

[K_S]

If my computer was ever taken in as evidence i'm sure theyd use the searxh history as a means to commit me into an asylum.

Recently? I had to research the history of noodle production and use of them in cullinary dishes in both italy and japan... as well as comparative analyisis of how they use fish in cooking.

I'm building up some examples of culture clash between my "off mainland" cast (coughOldRocketExevscough)and Kanto born cast as theres this meeting and seafood is mentioned...

 

[SparklingBlue]

How to play various instruments
proper archery technique
A whole lot of place name databases
paint color names (some paint names could easily be used as names for magical jewels)
recipes (for cooking scenes)

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

Geography of various places, to name regions that only get referenced once.

Various route trainer names and movesets

Pokémon TCG artists (chapter 32 of Obsession had a lot of art people so I named them after them!)

Scientific name of the orchid mantis

 

[Nekodatta]

How to make fire

Traces of Paleolithic huts, tools, and a lot of general stuff to have an idea if people back then would have a concept of different things. (Like if kissing was already a thing or if it's relatively "modern" as a form of affection)

How to take measurements for clothes

New materials for clothing that are being developed (for Turo's suit)

Spanish wedding traditions

How much time it takes for a rocket to reach the Moon/Mars (to speed it up noticeably in Turo's time to show his time being more advanced)

SO MANY articles about baby development, both during a pregnancy and in the first couple years, to have a general idea of how old Arven needs to be until he can start to walk/talk/other stuff.

Google must think I'm a very enthusiastic newlywed that's having her first baby by now LMAO

 

[Cresselia92]

Ah, I’ve got quite the plethora of knowledge I’ve gathered for character building purposes!

- Effects of touch starvation and what happens when a touch-starved person is hugged.

- How do people fall in love?

- Various documents about yakuza families, children of mafia bosses, and behaviors of a sociopathic mother (yeaaah, that’s quite the contrast, isn’t it?)

- The Cutting Floor is one of my best friends when it comes to meta game-ish fanfiction!

- “Day of the Dead” festivities, especially the Japanese Obon Festival.

- How do Japanese people celebrate Christmas and birthdays? Also, what are some popular treats and desserts?

These are the first researches that popped to my mind, but I have a whole series of tunnels and rabbit holes in the back of my mind~

 

[CuteBunnyGirl]

Here's a couple new additions:

The history of piano music in japan
When the word 'cosplay' began to be used
The definition of vegan (to see if rocks could be considered vegan food for rock-eating pokemon)

 

[Dragonfree]

I once looked up stuff on the effects of strangulation and got a bunch of domestic violence resources, which was a depressing dose of reality for my Pokémon fanfic research.

I have also looked up ventilation systems, the experience of death from blood loss, and most recently laws around picketing of private residences in the US.

 

[Sinderella]

Some off the top of my head:

• What is the most premature a baby can be while still being viable at birth?
  • This subsequently led down an hour-long rabbit hole of how doctors and parents measure the typical milestones for premies compared to that of full-term babies and I still don't understand the math
• How long do premies born 2 months early need to stay in the hospital?
• Complications premies can have at birth
• Diseases/illnesses/disorders that cause delayed emotional regulation issues/anger management disorders, below-average growth, and issues regulating blood pressure
  • With the the added question of "can this be related to premature birth?"
• Weight distribution appearance for 5'0 145lb girl
• What eyeglasses prescription is considered legally blind?
• Average weight distribution for 5'11 - 6'5 males
• Effective communication for polyamorous relationships
• How long would somebody with 2nd and 3rd degree burns to one arm need to stay in the hospital?
  • Apparently it's one day for every percent of your body burned---so if you have 9% of your body burned, you're expected to stay for at least 9 days. The more you know 🌈
• What is the treatment for 2nd and 3rd degree burns?
• Can doctors administer stitches in areas that have 2nd and 3rd degree burns?
• How long do burn victims typically need to wear compression clothing?
• Old money luxury brands
• Most expensive wine in the world
• Most expensive suits in the world
• How do French people say their height?
• French school system
• Do French students wear uniforms?
• French school extracurriculars
• French dance teams
• Octave ranges for singers
  • Which led into "what is the highest octave range one can have?"
• Assorted videos on how to play certain Alice in Chains and Avenged Sevenfold songs on the guitar
• Technical difference between picking and strumming a guitar
• Types of crimes people can go to jail for
• Can somebody be sued for manslaughter?
• French judicial system