Writing Research Simplified

by DiAnn Mills, @diannmills

Research for writers can be a terrifying process or a journey simplified by a few helpful tips. We can enjoy the trek of ensuring our novels contain accuracy and add knowledge to our learning skills.

Here are four reasons to add research to your novel writing:

  1. Enhance characterization by interviewing those who have the character’s expertise. A writer learns firsthand the character’s experience.
  2. Create authentic plot points.
  3. Develop a story that is true to the setting, time, era, and worldview.
  4. Reap the rewards of good reviews and more readers.

How do we conduct the process effectively and efficiently?

Focus: List what is needed for the story timeline. This includes setting, characters, dialogue, and culture.

Develop: What specialty people need to be contacted to ensure reliable information.

Map: Where does the writer need to visit for accuracy and sensory perception?

The following questions and suggestions will help the writer focus, develop, and map out a strategic plan.

  1. Visit the area’s chamber of commerce.
  2. 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.
  3. Take or download more pictures than you think you’ll ever use.
  4. Interview people living in the area. For a historical setting, this also means reading diaries and journals. How has history affected the community?
  5. Listen to how local people talk. Do they use a distinct vocabulary?
  6. What are the community’s values and expectations for life and each other?
  7. What is their diet? How much of their food supply is local?
  8. How is the area governed?
  9. What are the local hotels? Restaurants? What’s featured on the menus? Any daily specials?
  10. What are the sources of entertainment?
  11. How do the residents celebrate holidays?
  12. Does the community have special festivals?
  13. How does the area experience the seasons, and what are the average temperatures?
  14. What are the medical concerns? What kind of medical care is available?
  15. In what kinds of homes do they live?
  16. Where do they shop?
  17. How do the people dress?
  18. Do the arts play a vital role in the community?
  19. How do the people view education, sports teams, and favorite colleges?
  20. How do they earn a living?

Other Considerations

  1. If the area is near a national or state park, look for research material in the visitors’ section.
  2. Discover the wildlife and birds of the region.
  3. Locate a map of the area.
  4. Visit the local library. Check the newspaper archives.
  5. Look for documentaries on the area.

When a writer is cognizant of what is needed to make a manuscript zip with authenticity, readers clamor for more.

How do you conduct writing research?


Fatal Strike

There’s a killer on the loose in Galveston, targeting law enforcement officials and using a fatal injection of snake venom to take them down. Authorities have reasons to believe the Veneno gang is behind the hits, and FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert team up to track down those responsible. Their best lead is an eyewitness who identifies a young man dumping the third body on a church doorstep. But their suspect has gone into hiding, and those closest to him are reluctant to reveal anything that might help investigators find him. As Leah and Jon check connections among the victims and dig deeper into motives, they discover appearances may be deceiving. Someone is desperate to keep their secrets hidden, and Leah and Jon must face their greatest fears in order to stop the next fatal strike.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and 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.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

Connect with DiAnn here: www.diannmills.com

 

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