Writing Research isn’t for the Fainthearted

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Researching a novel is exciting, fun, educational, unpredictable, and sometimes dangerous. A writer who explores research, explores life—and life is story. Readers deserve an unforgettable adventure that touches hearts and lives.

If a manuscript isn’t accurate, and credible, the reader will recognize the flaw and toss the story aside. We want to be rewarded with good reviews and more readers. 

What does a writer need to carry out authentic research?

• 1. A positive attitude.

• 2. A temporary personality from an introvert to an extrovert.

• 3. An inquisitive mind that focuses on a character. 

• 4. A wild-child streak.

Albert Einstein said, “If we knew what we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?”

Authentic fact-finding enlists sensory perception, and the results draw readers into our story. During a research visit, take lots of notes, snap pics, and record details. 

See

What the writer sees while conducting research takes on many dimensions. Seeing physically means documenting details the writer deems necessary about the story world—yet knowing only one or two items will be necessary. 

Sight is not limited to the physical realm. Consider what’s in the mind’s eye. A writer’s imagination weaves what she sees with how she will use the information. 

Logic is another part of seeing the setting. Will the information build realism and story credibility? 

Hear

What does the writer hear? Listen to the sounds of nature. Study the culture, the unique vocabulary, subtleties, laughter, and tears. Writers tune their ears to the dialect of the people within the setting. 

Taste

Food and drink bring a richness to our writing. Ever watched a travel show? By showing a restaurant, a food vendor, or a meal in someone’s home, we offer awareness of that culture. The character’s experience with unusual tastes can also evoke fear and confusion.

Smell

The sense of taste and smell weave memories for us and our characters—enjoyable and offensive. The link often means the two are inseparable.

Touch

Researching through touch means brushing our fingers across the vegetation, dipping our feet into the water, petting an animal, or embracing someone. Pick up a baby or hold a hand. Laugh. Cry. Touch pulls us into someone else’s world. This may be challenging, but it always brings a reward. 

When physical research isn’t possible. 

Sometimes the writer can’t visit a story’s setting, especially in non-contemporary genres. Libraries hold a wealth of information. Websites offer incredible insight but verify the information in at least three places before documenting it in your story. Pick up the phone and call the area.

Be sensitive to the area. Use fictitious names and places to avoid offending the residents. A writer wouldn’t want a serial murder living on a real street or citing damaging information about prominent people and places.

A Detailed Checklist to Conduct Effective and Efficient Writing Research

1. Conduct a web search of the area. Some apps will help you with this: Google Maps, Google Earth, Weather Bug, or travel sites that can be found via apps or websites.

2. Take or download more pictures than you think you’ll ever use. *Remember if online images are used beyond personal research purposes, use a royalty-free sight like pixabay.

3. Interview people living in the area. For a historical setting, this also means reading diaries and journals. How has history affected the community?

4. Listen to local people talk. Do they use a distinct vocabulary? Journal these distinctions. 

5. What are the community’s values and expectations for life and each other?

6. What is their diet? How much of their food supply is local?

7. How is the area governed?

8. What are the local hotels? Restaurants? What’s featured on the menus? Any daily specials?

9. What are the sources of local entertainment?

10. How do the residents celebrate holidays?

11. Does the community have special festivals?

12. How does the area experience the seasons, and what are the average temperatures?

13. What are the medical concerns? What kind of medical care is available?

14. What is their living situation (e.g., house, apartment, cabin, etc.)?

15. Where do they shop?

16. How do the people dress?

17. Do the arts play a role in the community?

18. How do locals view education, sports teams, and favorite colleges?

19. How do the residents earn a living?

Other Considerations

21. If the area is near a national or state park, look for research material in 

the visitors’ section or at the chamber of commerce.

22. Discover the wildlife and birds of the region.

23. Study the types of trees and wildflowers.

24. Locate a map of the area.

25. Visit the local library. View newspaper archives.

26. Does politics play a role?

27. What churches and other religious affiliations are in the area?

28. Look for documentaries about the area.

29. What are the people’s joys?

30. What do people fear?

Research is not about the writer’s display of their knowledge, but an opportunity for readers to experience the story through the eyes of characters who live and walk an adventure. Use only the information needed in the character’s point of view.

How do you conduct writing research?

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Writing Research isn't for the Fainthearted from @DiAnnMills on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. 

She is the former director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson. Connect here: DIANNMILLS.COM