Research

So I’ve started doing research for my second book.

With my first book, I mostly wrote about things I knew.

But this go round, I’m trying to write outside of my comfort zone. My characters have different jobs, different interests, and different backgrounds.

The more I learn, the more I wonder: How much research should I do?  

It is possible to research too much.  And, if I’m not careful, I know I’ll spend more time doing research than writing anything.

I’ve read online that the majority of research doesn’t make it into a book (or a movie or tv show or whatever). But, even if only 10% of your research makes the final draft, it is important to do it anyway because YOU as the writer will feel more confident about the subject.

I’ve also been thinking a lot about WHEN I should research.

Most writing books say that you should complete your research after you’ve written your book; that it’s better to put your thoughts onto the page, and tweak it later.

This method seems counterproductive to me.

Let’s say that I want to write about rocket science, elephant farms, or circus acrobats, or anything else I’m not familiar with, and I write complete garbage.

What then?

What if major scenes pivot on misinformation?

I picture myself writing something fabulous, something I’m absolutely in love with, and then being devastated when I discover that the facts supporting the plot are pure crap, and I have to rewrite the entire thing.

Wouldn’t it just be easier to start off with all of the information I need? Furthermore, what if after I do my research, I come up with something better than my original ideas? I’d be back at square one, restructuring and possibly rewriting my novel.

So, where does that leave us? I think, as usual, it leaves us somewhere in the middle.

Research is important if you want to produce something that won’t fall on its face when people start reading it. Especially if you get readers who “know” the subject matter inside and out. They’ll spot inconsistencies a mile off.

How much research you want to do for your book is completely up to you. But remember to not research it to death.

And for when to do your research? I still think it’s better to do some research before you start writing your first draft. Just remember not get bogged down by it.

Your readers aren’t asking you to be an expert in Turkish archaeology, diesel engines, or whatever else your book might deal with. They’re asking you for a good story that has enough ring of truth that it sounds real.

–          Chelsey

PS. Lord help me if I ever write about diesel engines. You’ll know something is wrong for sure.