Writing Research – More Than Searching Facts on File

Writing Research – More Than Searching Facts on File – Good Writing Demands More

In today’s fast paced world it seems that most people’s view on writing research is simply finding facts on file. Don’t get me wrong, searching facts on file is a good thing, but writing research demands more of the writer.

Writing Research – More Than Searching Facts on File – Common Knowledge

Common knowledge research consists of manipulating knowledge you already possess into a believable scenario.

Writing Research – More Than Searching Facts on File – Examples

When I wrote my book, “Mason Bricklin,” the seating of the students in the sixth grade classroom was critical to the story. I had to make a seating chart of all the students in the class so Mason, the hero, could prevent his sworn enemy, Collier, from sitting by Sweet Edna, the prettiest girl in the class.

In my second Mason Bricklin book, “Slobber knocker: How I Got the Spit Knocked Out of Me,” (which will be released next year), I figured a game sequence to manipulate outs, runs scored, and innings to achieve the best climax for a baseball game and still maintain believability.

Writing Research – More Than Searching Facts on File – Physical Research

Physical research is also necessary in some instances. When writing fiction it is important to make the story believable so your readers can identify with your characters.

Writing Research – More Than Searching Facts on File – Example:

During the writing of Mason Bricklin I dug a hole 6 ft. deep, by 4 ft. long, and 4 ft. wide to give me a proper timeline for completion of a trap Mason built. ( Actually, I didn’t dig the hole, I hired someone else to do it, but it had to be done.) I extended my original timeline by 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Writing Research – More Than Searching Facts on File – Most Research Won’t be Used in Your Stories

Believe it or not, most research won’t be evident in your stories. Many times the most crucial and time consuming parts of your research are revealed in just a few sentences or paragraphs of a book or story. The key is to use your research to enhance your credibility and your readers experience.

Writing Research – More Than Searching Facts on File – Searching Facts on File

Basically, searching facts on file is simply researching facts on the search engines and online databases. More and more, the internet is the prime focus of research. One of the major problems with the internet is there so much information it’s sometimes hard to screen good data from bad data. (Believe it or not, not all data on the internet is correct. Be sure and double-check your resources.)

Writing Research – More Than Searching Facts on File – Public Library

Don’t forget about your public library. Many times I use the library to find books that were written during a certain era. My Mason Bricklin series of books are written about a small town boy and his humorous adventures in the 1960′s. Old encyclopedias are a great source of information for this kind of research.

Something that any author can do is go to library book sales and buy old encyclopedias for a certain time period. You can buy old encyclopedias for pennies on the dollar.

Writing Research – More Than Searching Facts on File – Finally

Great research never comes from just one resource. Always remember research is not your goal; it is only a tool. Using various methods of research can add credibility and reader enjoyment to your writing.

copyright 2011 J-me.

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