Research is vital no matter what kind of fiction you write. I spent almost as much time researching modern-day Chicago for my fantasy novel Dreamers Come as I did the Third Crusade for my historical novel Behold the Dawn (scheduled for release October 1). I’ve always found it odd that some authors approach research as if it were the bane of their craft. Since most of us write fiction in an urge to learn and grow, research is a natural extension of that. On average, I spend three months researching any given novel before diving into the writing. And I love it. I love discovering the solid facts—the bricks—that will turn the imagined walls of my story into something solid. That said, I’m very much aware that research can be both overwhelming and frustrating. Following are some of the tricks I’ve adopted for my own use.
1. Know the Questions. Usually, I decide to set a story during a particular period or place because I already possess some interest in and at least a basic knowledge about it. Using that foundational knowledge, I’m able to complete my sketches and story outlines. By the time I officially begin my research, my story is already almost fully formed in my head, and I have a very good idea of what questions I need to answer during my research phase. For instance, in Behold, I knew I needed to spend a lot time learning about not only the Crusade itself, but also the world of the tourneys—the huge mock battles that were loved by the knights and banned by the church.
2. Find the Resources. The first thing I do is run several searches through my libraries’ online card catalogs. My goal is to pick up every book my libraries have available on my subject, so I try to be as thorough in my keywords as possible. After evaluating whatever I’ve come up with, I’ll complete my research library with the necessary purchases. If I have any blanks remaining once I’ve finished my books, I’ll utilize the Internet—although it should go without saying that you have to be careful about the reliability of Internet sources. (Check out my links page for some great research resources.)
3. File the Gems. Research notes aren’t worth much in the long run if they aren’t easily accessible, so I’ve constructed a system of note keeping that, although a bit time-intensive in the beginning, pays huge dividends over the course of the novel. Whenever I run into a snippet of information that I think might prove useful to my story, I either highlight it (if I own the book) or pull out a notebook and mark down the page and paragraph numbers and the first and last three words of the information I want. For example, if I want to remember something on a book’s thirty-first page and second paragraph, my shorthand note looks like this: 31:2 “First three words… last three words.”
The next day, before settling in for more reading, I take my books to the computer and use my notebook to find the passages I marked the day before. I type them up in a Word document, which I divide into appropriate headings. For Behold, I used headings such as “Animals,” “Children,” “Home Life,” “Tournaments,” “Warfare,” etc.
This may initially look like a lot of extra work, but it’s not. When I’m in the middle of a scene and I need to know what kind of food an earl would serve at a banquet, my elaborate note system keeps me from having to dig through piles of dog-eared books in search of a minute detail. Instead, I can either look through my research document’s headers in search of “Food & Dining,” or I can simply hit the Find button and run a search for “banquet.” Either way, it takes seconds to find the information and continue writing my scene.
4. Add the Visuals. Something else I find extremely helpful is a folder of images. Maps and landscape pictures are particularly valuable when I’m writing about a place (such as Syria—or Chicago) with which I am totally unfamiliar. But it’s also nice to have pictures of period clothing, diagrams of weapons and machinery, and maybe even a collection of people pictures for character inspiration.
5. Take the Responsibility. Very probably the single most important facet of portraying authenticity is chutzpah. If you act like you know what you’re talking about, most readers will buy it, whether it’s true or not. But hand in hand with that understanding goes a realization of the responsibility we have for giving our readers truth in exchange for their trust. None of us are ever going to get the facts one hundred percent correct, but checking and double-checking our sources is important lest we convey an incorrect fact or impression. The line between learning as many facts as possible and using our imaginations to fill in the blanks is a delicate one. If, for whatever reason, I ever intentionally depart from the facts (as I did once or twice in Behold, in regard to dates and such), I always make note of it in an afterword.
As writers, our fertile imaginations are what allow us to create something out of nothing. But it’s as researchers, that we’re able to make that something into a solid delivery of facts that will keep readers from blinking twice at suspending their disbelief.
Story by K.M. Weiland
Tags: research
Great article on research. One thing I would add for those who research history, contact historical societies, museums and colleges in the area your researching.
Good point. For that matter,they don't even have to be in your area. Many people connected with historical societies are more than happy to do a little legwork for authors.
I'm floundering as a writer. I don't know what I want to write about and I won't be happy until I do.
Writing a book sounds like something I'd like to do but I have no story concepts dying to get onto paper.
I enjoyed reading this blog regarding research and I respect you greatly for the time and effort you put into it. I'm certain that it pays off when you're writing.
I've got so much to learn and I'm sure you're someone I will continually look to for writing knowledge.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with doing research and for your detailed instructions on how to make those pertinent facts easily accessible.
(I'd love it if you'd go to my blog and look at "Run, Shaddy, Run.")
Enjoy your weekend.
Most of the time my problem is the exact opposite: too many stories begging to be released onto the page. I'd say... just start writing and see what happens. Your blog is definitely a great start. And my experience, for whatever it's worth, is at your service. Feel free to contact me anytime you have a question.
Wow, you are WAY too organized! :-) But, I'm going to have to take some of your tips with me. I don't do a ton of research for my projects; most of the time I run across questions as I write, and either make a note to research it, or look it up right then and there. Of course, I don't write historicals either.
Though, a good map has probably been my best resource lately. And Google Earth.
Thanks for the great blog!!!!
Yes, I'm admittedly a bit of an organizational freak. OCD, anyone?
I found myself doing a lot of on-the-spot researching when I was writing Dreamers Come last year. It got to the point where I was spending most of my writing time Googling instead of writing. Not good. I had to start unplugging my wireless card whenever I sat to write and looking up my questions the next day.
And, yes, I love Google Earth. I utilized the maps feature extensively in the Chicago scenes I wrote.
I can only hope to be as organized as you. Thanks for the wealth of information that you have written in your blog. You inspire me to dig deeper and be more. Thanks.
Organization is the only way I survive the craziness of life. I'd be up to my elbows in paper scraps otherwise!
Thanks for reading.
My goodness, you are so organized with your writing. Thanks for all the great tips!
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you found some of them helpful in your own research.
Great post. Great ideas. I keep all my "gems" in a journal. I have one huge journal for each book idea. While I do break it down into chapters and subheadings by topic, I like the ease of "search and find" in an electronic document.
You maintain an excellent blog here! Keep it up! :)
Typing up notes can be a pain, but I really believe it saves time (and frustration!) in the long run. Although, I will admit, I do get a special feeling flipping through pages upon inky pages of notes!
Many institutions limit access to their online information. Making this information available will be an asset to all.
I agree. Thanks for reading!
This is really useful, and I particularly like the fact that you use books first, internet second. I do find though that where I live in Somerset the libraries are not that well stocked on books on London. So I get on the net and all organisation goes out the window....
If my libraries are lacking the materials I need, I usually turn to a bookstore or Amazon to fill in the gaps. It can get expensive - but usually it just feels like I'm really, really spoiling myself!
Hello my friend! I want to say that this article is awesome, nice written and include almost all vital info. I would like to see more posts like this.
Glad you enjoyed it! You can find more of my posts on research here.
Thank you for sharing these great tips. I am particularly surprised at how much time you spend in the library and I take special note of your comment about the reliability of Internet sources. I have limited access to the library at the moment and tend to do a lot of research online which most times is also distracting. I have invested on books but there seems to be not enough time to read them and there is so much "begging" to be written. The take-away from here is that I need to work harder at being organised.
When researching time comes around, I take the hours assigned to my writing and devote them to sitting down and reading my research material. Writing is more fun, granted, but this is the best way I know to discipline myself to get through the research quickly and effectively.