By Toni Shiloh, @tonishilohwrite
I know the title is very generic, but it caught your attention, right?
Working on my last work-in-progress (wip) showed me how much I needed to learn when it came to research. You see, research has always been something I’ve done before writing the first draft. I figure out what I want my characters to be, where they should love, and what makes them unique. Once I knew that information, I’d set aside time to research the information I didn’t know.
Well, my latest wip showed me that I didn’t even know what I didn’t know. So how is a person supposed to research when they’re a complete novice at the subject? Here are some tips.
1. Find an expert
The best thing you can do is find an expert in that field. Tell them your attention for your story and ask them what you need to research to make it all come together authentically. You can look for experts through writers’ organizations. You can search from them where they work (think of it like querying an agent or editor, but an expert). They may even be friends or family who work in a field who hold a particular expertise. Either way, finding them is key!
2. Go to the library
Another wonderful resource is the library. Nowadays, you don’t have to simply visit onsite and speak to a librarian, though you’re more than welcome to do that. But a lot of libraries have ebook loan systems (think Hoopla, Libby, etc) you can borrow from. Now your research material is on your nearest ereader. The wonderful thing about libraries is they have information spanning decades, not just current information. I visit the library for each new book I write.
3. Use the internet
There are many ways you can use the internet. I like to find Instagram profiles to follow that talk about my particular subject. For the latest project, I was all about horse racing. So I followed Churchill Downs, Keeneland, and some others. I have also followed locations for setting inspirations. You can even set up Google alerts to flag down a subject if the area is contemporary in nature. Of course, you can also use the internet to track down other resources beyond the library and experts. Obviously, make sure to use a reputable site.
4. Utilize sensitivity readers
Sometimes, we need to widen our expert pool to those who have held an experience we wish to put our characters through. This is where using a sensitivity reader to double check your work and ensure your wip is authentic is vital. It’ll add a layer of realism that will have your characters wondering the difference between fiction or fact.
Hopefully these four tips will give you a little direction on researching for your next wip.
Until next time,
Toni
It seems like a dream come true . . . until it forces her to question everything.
Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha’s Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops a bombshell–Brielle is really a princess in the island kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, off the coast of Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, the king, is failing.
Distraught by all the secrets her mother kept, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before her coronation, or the crown will pass to another. Brielle is uncertain if she even wants the throne, and with her world totally shaken, where will she find the courage to take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring?
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni seeks to encourage authors in the writing industry. She loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. You can learn more about her writing at http://tonishiloh.com.