Research

Michener usually began his research process by collecting and drawing maps of the region he intended to write about. Geography factored strongly into his writing and could play a significant role in the lives of Michener's characters. He was notorious for being concerned with the smallest details of a topic while conducting research and Michener was seldom without a notebook which he filled with information about language, dates, history, and even recipes. Although rumored to employ a large staff of researchers to help him, Michener said he did all of the research and writing himself.

Click image above to enlarge

Hand-drawn map
James A. Michener Papers, Poland Collection (RG SC 1-21) Box 1

Michener would sometimes draw as many as thirty maps of an area as part of his research process.

Notes on the Polish language
James A. Michener Papers, Poland Collection (RG SC 1-21) Box 1

Michener's notebooks reveal much about his pre-writing process. They often begin with broad, sweeping information and narrow to details and topics that are put directly into his books.

Click image above to enlarge

introduction • Research • writing • Revision • Entry page

Notes from Poland
James A. Michener Papers, Poland Collection (RG SC 1-21) Box 1

Notes from Poland
James A. Michener Papers, Poland Collection (RG SC 1-21) Box 1

This chapter became "Shattered Dreams" by the first draft.

Michener studied the music of Poland as part of his research. These research notes show the depth to which his research took him.

Michener Reading
Robert Vavra Collection Photographs

Before he would begin to write, Michener would read so much on a topic for a book he was writing that he felt he could teach a college course on it.

Click image above to enlarge