One of my favorite things about writing is doing research. I love looking up facts about places and events that will improve my novel. Getting lost in history or other cultures can be a fun way to enrich your writing.
Non-fiction writers have to research, of course. It’s part of the job. Your book is teaching, or sharing about an event or topic, so you should be as much of an expert on that topic as possible. That means loads of research. Even when writing memoirs, writers should research places and events to sprinkle into their writing and connect readers to their world.
For fiction writers, research is just as important. Your story, even if it’s set in modern times, should be well-researched to connect your reader to the culture, location, or traditions of the world your characters live in. But research is boring, you say. You just want to tell your story. Ha, well-written books show their story; they don’t tell it. That brings me to point one.
1. Research Helps You Show Not Tell
Let’s say while researching adrenaline rush for your fight scene, you learn that shaking is an aftereffect. Now you can write about your character’s legs trembling so hard that he has to sit down. When I was researching holy wells, I learned that in medieval Ireland, people left mementos at these sites after drinking the water and being cured, such as crutches. They sometimes tied red rags or ribbons to nearby trees to ward off evil or to express gratitude for their healing. I added this to my book Adorabelle The Not So Adorable, as Adorabelle and her friends reach a holy well and see a nearby tree decorated with ribbons.
2. Research Can Start A Novel
My Tales of Enda fantasy series started with the strange creatures found in the margins of medieval illuminated manuscripts. When were they painted and why? By researching these images, I thought, what if the creatures actually lived during the Middle Ages? Perhaps monks were painting something they saw and maybe knew as friends. Next thing I know, these creatures I call mythicals are running all over the island of Enda, having adventures with humans. By learning more about something I found interesting, I came up with a story idea that led to a book series.
3. Research Can Help You Plot Your Novel
If you are writing a murder mystery set in ancient Constantinople during the Byzantine Empire, you need to research to make your setting and story feel real. For example, say you’re researching Roman foods, and you read about certain foods that were used as medicine as well. However, in large amounts that could poison a person. Boom! You found the murder weapon, poison by Opus or opium poppy, commonly used for pain relief, and also by the evil heir to get her inheritance early.
4. Research Creates A Rich Setting
Whatever time period you set your novel in, research can help you build a rich, interesting, and vibrant setting. Research will fuel your world-building, giving you a realistic and fascinating place for your reader to sink into.
5. Research Must Be Sprinkled Not Dumped
Enough research will pull your reader into the story. Too many facts dumped in will bore the reader. Or worse, jar them out of the story world. You want to do as much research as possible to plan and create your world, but only use a small fraction of that research to season your story.
I hope I’ve convinced you of the importance of research to writing. You may agree, but still think research is boring. It won’t be if you’re researching topics, cultures, or places that caught your interest in the first place. It’s not like school, where the teacher chooses the topic. This is your book, your setting. Start with what catches your eye in news stories, or online. Then, research and see how what you learn can be used in your writing. Joanna Penn at The Creative Penn Blog can help you get started with How To Research Your Novel…And When To Stop.
A warning, though. Be careful with your sources. If you are writing a historical novel or any book and don’t want readers complaining about inaccuracies, check your sources. The best sources of facts are from books, libraries, encyclopedias, and universities. While Pinterest and blogs are fun and can get you started on your research, check all the facts with professional sources before you add them to your story.
Also, researching is addictive. I often use research as an excuse not to write. It’s so much fun! Now I force myself to write first and research after. So scroll through Pinterest and find a fun historical pin, then head over to the library to learn more about why that was so interesting to you. It might spark an idea for your writing or for the next book you want to read.
What kind of details in a book make you feel like you’re a part of the story? Comment below and let me know your favorite book and how the author’s research made it come alive for you.
