Tips for Researching your Writing

A good writer is a good researcher.

Most writers have heard that good writers write what they know. But, aside from writing your personal memoir, how else do you expect to know your subject? Researching your topic, and I mean characters, setting, plot lines, era, you name it - it all takes a lot of work and diligence.

Here are a few tips I’ve picked up for how to research your story well.

1) Find and subscribe to the experts: I write a lot about science fiction. I am a science buff, namely astronomy and astrophysics. I also have a soft spot for Geology. One of my stories has sci-fi elements, so I stay up to date on knowledge and trends by following astronomy experts. I subscribe to their newsletters, listen to their podcasts, follow their social etc. Every time their content comes through I see it as a little ping from the universe to learn more.

2) Read read read: Every writer knows that a good reader is a good writer. We are so lucky as writers to be around brilliant writers. And all you have to do is pick up their book to get a window into how well they write and what their audiences are loving. Giller Prize? NYT Best seller? The data and awards are all there for us, ripe for the picking.

3) Share excerpts with hand-picked readers: You know how movie executives show scenes to test audiences? A lot of creative direction comes from audience reactions. Sometimes full endings or plots are upended and re-written because of a test audience. With your writing, you shouldn’t hide it under lock and key. Share it with a friend, a trusted acquaintance, someone who can read it and give you honest feedback. They may have an insight into a plot hole or research direction you missed.