Whether you are writing nonfiction or a novel, research is almost always part of the process (or should be!). You might be a mystery novelist who writes your first draft, then turns to research to make your characters, settings, and topics more realistic and lively, adding the details and rewriting. Or perhaps you write historical novels, and do a tremendous amount of research into a particular period and location before you begin writing. Maybe you are writing a nonfiction book on a particular topic—you probably already have some expertise or experience—and you research to help you with details, structure, and content.
Some of us love the research portion. Some hate it. But it is a necessary part of being a writer. Barbara O’Neal is a novelist and writer of nonfiction who enjoys research. In a recent post on Writer UnBoxed, she discusses systems of research, book collections, Wikipedia (beware!), and Scrivener. Along the way, she discusses her use of the above, along w with some anecdotes, advice, and experience.
The article is worth a read for both nonfiction and fiction writers. It might even get you excited about research.
Read the article >
Similar Posts
Publishing Your Book: Formatting for eBook
Introduction In the last post, we discussed how to format your manuscript to prepare it for printing (whether it be for traditional publication or print-on-demand. Regardless of which path you take, it is often beneficial to prepare the manuscript for electronic publication as well. The content remains the same, of course, but the formatting is quite…
Go for Launch! Start Your Scene Strong
Last week we talked about the basics of scene building in fiction. You can check out that information here: Scene Building Basics . Today, let’s focus a little more deeply on one aspect of a scene: the launch. It’s the kickoff for your scene. It’s the opportunity to pull readers into the action or hook…
Why You Should Write A Crappy First Draft
Writing a bad first draft can help you avoid writer’s block. Instead of trying to write a good first draft, just focus on creativity and write. Edit later!
Becoming a Novelist: Five Principles to Success
From Writer’s Digest, a list of five principles to follow by Hester Young. Click below to read the full article with descriptions and advice. 1. Educate yourself. 2. Build your resumé. 3. Embrace self-improvement. 4. Master the art of the query letter. 5. Use connections wisely. http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/becoming-a-novelist-five-principles-to-success
Writer and Author Roundup (Feb)
Here are some excellent articles from around the web to hone your writing skills. This month’s posts focus on time management for writers and what to write about. setting realistic writing goals (thewritersaurus). As the title states, this article discusses how to set realistic writing goals. Importantly, the author notes that ‘word count’ goals will (and…
Publishing Your Book: Formatting for Print
Part 2 of a series on self-publishing. Formatting for paperback and eBook, cover design, Createspace, Kindle, and iBook. Mark McFaddyn