This week's topic is Research.
Now, most of us are writing fiction. Some might ask who needs to do research when you're writing fiction? Duh, we do!
My book, THE SWEET SPOT, currently on query to agents, is about a teenage girl who plays golf. Because I played golf as a teenager, the research has been fairly light in that I know the basic terminology, the game itself, and the environment of the golf course. But, I've still needed to look up rules, the current state of junior golf, and some details about course management. I'm fortunate in that my parents managed a golf course in the 1980s and I have resident experts just a phone call away. But that's research! Depending on the topic, you might have to converse with an expert, read a similar book to yours, or do traditional information based research.
On the other hand, if you're doing real, honest-to-goodness, it-has-to-be-100%-accurate research for a non-fiction project, you should stick to primary resources and steer clear of websites that rely on public input like Wikipedia. You can find primary resources online (I used the NASA site a lot when I wrote my last work-for-hire title about space), but just be careful and make sure they're legit.
My new WIP might or might not have a revolutionary era ghost-type character. Or it might be an astral projection of an out-of-body love interest. I might need to do a bit more research for this one. :)
What kind of research do you need to do on your WIP?
15 comments:
Great post on an important topic! I find that I love doing research for both fiction and non-fiction, especially historical research. In addition to the resources you mentioned, I rely a lot on library databases, both through our local county library system and the college where I teach.
Lisa - you're so sweet! Thanks for following here and on twitter (I'm still getting the hang of twitter). I was over on your blog reading your post on freelancing--very cool.
Great link!!! Thanks, I plan to put it to good use!
For my new WIP I plan to talk to my cousins who have gone to college on sports scholarships because my current main character needs a scholarship. Getting first had experience type research is great for finding out those small details that you might not learn about in the conventional way. Just gotta think up some of those interview questions. :)
I do research for just about every story I write. Like you said, some of it is very light. That's the easiest kind for sure! And the revolutionary ghost sounds like fun!
Yes, I second that revolutionary ghost! Fun and interesting! I like your distinction between just googling and researching for accuracy. Important point!
Any time I stop by here, you've got something good going on...thanks for being such a great resource!
Thanks Ansha, Laura, Tina and Anita! I'm glad it's helpful -- I'm really enjoying reading the different posts on research.
Great summary of different kinds of research and how you might use them. I'd love to share this with my students. They have such a narrow idea of research. This post might expand their minds!
It's true that you can't rely on everything you read on the internet. I'd not heard of WorldCat.org before - I'm adding it to my notes. Thanks! Great post!
I agree--Wikipedia can be good for general info (as long as the topic is noncontroversial), but I use it primarily to look for citations to original sources.
Ditto Tatiana--I'd not heard of WorldCat.org, but it's definitely going to be bookmarked now!
Worldcat is great -- sometimes it's annoying when my local library doesn't have a particularly good book that I've found on there!
I've never been a fan of Wikipedia. I guess it's a take it with a grain of salt kind of thing but...still. Your new WIP sounds interesting!
Great advice on doing research! I'm writing sci fi, so I look up science stuff and then twist it up a little bit.
Great post! You all are awesome for doing these weekly HIW posts.
Thanks Cinnamon -- I hope you check back today, our topic is "Starting your new WIP."
Thanks for stopping by!
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