Research is key to crafting an authentic, accurate, and immersive story that engages your readers. But, researching can be overwhelming!

How can you discover what you need to know without getting lost in the vast realm of information available?

Today, I want to share with you the steps that I follow to research my novels in an organized and concise manner.

Preliminary research ensures that your novel is accurate and that the story feels authentic. Readers stick around when stories are believable. If they can spot inconsistencies in your work, then your reader is being pulled out of the world that you’ve crafted. 

Your goal with research is to avoid factual errors, especially when delving into historical narratives or realistic fiction. Even fantasy benefits from some time brushing up on mythology and lore. 

Your characters are authentic when you take the time to research and consider how their experiences would shape their decisions and how where they live would influence their personality. All of this is strengthened by your research.

Research also allows you to create an immersive experience for your audience. It ensures that your readers feel as if they are a part of the world you’ve created and are living the characters’ journeys alongside them. 

A setting can fall flat when you drop your character into it without considering the multisensory experience that they would encounter. Perhaps, your imagination will benefit you here.

But, when you learn about a real or similar place to your setting you can write increasingly specific details so that your readers’ outer world drops away as they fall into your novel. When you’ve mastered this, your audience is engaged from start to finish.

Research can be a struggle! Due to the numerous research projects that we had to wade through in school, many of us may wish to avoid research altogether. 

But, learning can be so much fun! (said the teacher). I swear, it’s true. When you go into research with a plan and have narrowed down your research topics, you can enjoy the process of curiosity and discovery that awaits you!

However, if you try to research everything all at once, then you’re likely to flounder under the neverending amount of information.

I may be writing a novel set in the Victorian era but that doesn’t mean I need to know every intricate detail about their garments, architecture, and dialect. I just need enough to immerse my readers and remain accurate to the plot and characters.

You can do this successfully by first determining which information you need to seek out.

Before you start researching, you should have outlined your plot. You’re the writer. You’ve come to this story because you have an idea for an epic adventure. 

Plan out your ideal plot and then step back, and start to determine what you need to know to ensure that the plot you’ve created is authentic, accurate, and will hold up under the scrutiny of your readers. 

Ask questions to ensure that your plot won’t be affected by incorrect assumptions. Know that revisions to your outline may occur during this process and that’s okay!

Clarify what you need to know. Jot down a list of the major points that should be researched before you start writing.

Do you need to learn about…

• Setting
• Character background
• Historical context
• Plot elements?

Be specific about what you need to learn. If you generalize your research goals, you will encounter information overload.

Remember, I don’t need to know everything about the Victorian era, just what will influence my plot.

Even an expert isn’t spewing out facts all of the time. If we tried to cram everything we learned into our stories, the plot would be lost beneath the trivial details.

You could simply search your question in Google but then you’d be left to sift through the many pages, unsure which sources are reputable.

Instead of starting with a blind search, first consider whether primary or secondary resources will serve you best.

Primary resources will include interviews, artifacts, and photographs- any direct information that you compile. This could be through research from others or by contacting a trusted individual yourself. 

Primary resources are excellent for developing character, learning about a profession or skill set, and mastering the art of recreating historical events within your manuscript.

On the other hand, you may want to rely on secondary resources such as books or documentaries. Books and documentaries can be just as excellent when used to develop your setting or plot. Not everyone’s lived experiences are similar and thus, multiple interpretations are out there to explore. 

Use these resources to provide a uniquely authentic portrayal of your specific plot points.

For example, some would see the opulence of the Victorian era, while others will dwell on its miseries. Which tone would your story reflect? Secondary sources can spark your decision.

Don’t dive into the research process without first considering how you’re going to keep track of all the information you compile. 

We’ve all had experiences with disorganized note-taking in the past- post-its everywhere, notes in the margins, underlined, highlighted, circled, and arrows pointing to who knows where.

You’re not inserting your research into your manuscript as you go so set yourself up for success. Make sure that when you review your notes, they’ll still make sense.

Everyone’s organizational habits are different. You’ll need to find what works for you. I still love to write in a notebook or start a Google Doc for easy access to linked information. Structuring my research under key headings allows me to find what I’m looking for in the future.

Consider categorizing your research based on character, setting, plot, or any other recognizable heading. Ensure that your system is clean and easy to reference.

Remember, information overload is a no. Only write down what is necessary, not every cool detail you come across!

With these three steps, you are ready to go forth and research! 

Wondering where to even start? Here is a brief list of some great places to gather information:

1. On-Site Explorations: Visit locations that are relevant to your story. Slow down and notice how they engage your five senses. Take pictures. Take notes. I recently visited the MoPOP Museum in Seattle, a museum that’s featured in my current WIP! 

2. Firsthand Accounts: Don’t be afraid to reach out to experts and ask to interview them. This can provide you with specific insights on the questions you have. Just ensure that you’ve done some preliminary research first. Get all of the easy-to-answer questions out of the way on your own so that you can dive deeper during the interview.

3. Character Studies: Observe people in public spaces. Become a people watcher! Park yourself on a bench with your notebook. Sketch. Write. Notice little quirks and the unique personas of those around you. Consider how they may be used in character development. Become curious about human behaviour.

4. Google Scholar and Quora: Use reputable sources. Google Scholar can help you to easily find scholarly articles. Quora is a place where you can connect with others around the world. Ask a question and receive advice or new ideas. Who knows, you may find an expert to interview there! 

• Check Your Bias: Reflect on whether your research only considers one viewpoint. Seek out multiple perspectives to ensure a well-rounded understanding of the topic. Then, determine what is accurate for your story. This is a tangible way to reflect different viewpoints through character vs. character conflict.

• Determine How Much Research Needs to Happen: Avoid over-researching as a form of procrastination. Sometimes, we keep planning (the research phase) because it makes us feel productive and accomplished. Eventually, we need to stop researching and get writing (the real action). To halt procrastination in its tracks, figure out what you need to know at the start but don’t get sidetracked by minute details that won’t impact the plot. The tiny things can be figured out during the revision stage.

• Determine When To Research: This links back to the last point. Anything that will greatly impact the plot and would cause drastic rewrites if you got it wrong should be researched before delving into the writing process. However, small details can be left until later. If a question comes up while writing, underline it, write it in a notebook and move on. You don’t want to break your flow. Use placeholders to fill in minor details later. I tend to write my thoughts in brackets and highlight them so they’re easily visible when I’m ready to revise.

• Embrace On-The-Go Research: Any time something intriguing comes across your mind, capture it either on your phone or paper. Potential story ideas can be found wherever you go. They may not be for your current work-in-progress, but who knows how they’ll benefit you in the future! And, I can guarantee that just as quickly as they enter your mind, they will disappear if you don’t have a place to keep them. So, take photos, jot down notes, and stay open to inspiration as it strikes. 

There you have it!  Effective research is crucial to crafting a successful novel that is authentic, immersive, and accurate. Research should enhance your story not bog you or the plot down. By following these techniques, you can begin to enjoy the research process!

Share what you’re currently researching in the comments below. Let’s get excited about each other’s WIPs!

Talk soon!

Julia