Reader Question: What is Your Research Process?

Caroline writes:

On the second-to-last day of a writer’s conference, when I couldn’t stand any more conversation about writing style, the writer’s “platform,” or how to talk to an agent or editor, I holed up in the café with a bowl of ice cream and a book I hoped would be good enough to allow me to “escape” the chaos of the conference. The book was Lion of Babylon, and it perfectly served its purpose. Thank you.

Later in the day, when I was back to thinking about the details of writing, I realized that I had a question for you: I wanted to ask you about the research that goes into writing a story like Lion of Babylon.

I’m curious about the Bunn process of researching a story. I want be a good writer, and one of the ways I improve is by learning from those who are further along on the writing journey.

Dear Caroline,

The crucial issue with research is not to see this as the goal. Too often early books are marred by efforts to make the experts feel the research was solid. Your job, first and foremost, is to entertain.

My technique is to spend my outlining time–and a book that is to be researched requires a solid outline to keep you on track–determining the questions that really must be answered in order to tell the story.

Then I look for JUST ONE ANSWER. It is not necessary for you to find THE answer. The further back you go in time, the more experts will argue with one another over what is and is not the correct answer to any question.

You need to look for authors who will offer not just information, but an emotional spark. It is not data alone that you require. You need to have people who make the issue or the era live for you at an emotional level. Because that is your key aim in your story. To bring life to the page.