Research for writing can generate new ideas and give authenticity to your story.

Forms of Research

Research comes in many forms. For instance:

• Written sources – this might be on-line or historic documents stored at a library or museum. It includes genealogical records, census data, university studies, books, magazines, advertisements, and diaries. Click here for a post that includes many on-line sources.
• Interviews – conversations with individuals whether in person, over the phone, or on-line. Generate a list of questions prior to the interview.
• Location visits – if your writing includes a place you have never been to, consider taking a location visit. YouTube and documentaries may give you an impression of a place, but nothing is as good as actually going to a place.
• Personal experience – your own experiences can provide first-hand details. Perhaps you want to include a description of a character eating a peach in your story. Go eat a peach and taste/feel/smell the experience. That’s research.

Research for Fiction Writing

You’re writing a novel–a fictional account of romance during the summer of 1980 (or 1880, pick any year you like). Much of your work is the product of your imagination. You created the characters, designed your setting, and you’re ready to write. But have you done your research?

Why do you need research? You need research because there will be details you should verify.

• Global or national events during that summer
• Fashion trends or hairstyles for that time frame
• Songs playing on the radio
• Movies popular that summer
• Weather conditions
• Major hurricanes that summer
• Standard technology in use at that time
• Any major milestones/festivals at the location during that time
• Make/model of vehicles popular then

Doing research to get the details right for the time and location of your story gives your writing the air of validity. It may help add some twists to your plot. For instance, cell phones were not in use during the summer of 1980. How do your characters communicate? Probably by phone using push-button dialing, perhaps on a Princess phone with light-up keys. All of these phones had cords with limited reach.

Actual events may affect the setting of your story. In May of 1980, a freighter hit the Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay, killing 35 people and collapsing a section of the bridge. Also in May of 1980, Mount St. Helene erupted in Washington State, killing 57 people. Depending upon the setting of your novel, either of these events could be significant.

Research for Non-fiction Writing

If you’re writing non-fiction, research is critical. Even if you are an expert in your field of specialty, you need to dig into the works of others to fully cover your subject. The closer you can get to the original source of information the better.

Creating a bibliography or list of reference materials may be important content for your non-fiction book. Learn the proper technique for footnoting and citations.

Research for Writing

I do not claim to be an expert on research for writing. The motivation to write this post came during a clean-out of some older writing books in my collection. In the middle of one book, acting very much like a book mark, were several hand-written pages of research on wishing wells. While my notes are now badly dated, the information screams to be presented. So look forward to a future post on wishing wells.