How much research do fiction writers do?
Nonfiction writers must research more. I have written both fiction and nonfiction and I believe both require a lot of research.
One important point I omitted saying deals with when do we do our research? My answer is either before or after creating the story, not during. If you stop yourself and research in the creative phase, you’ll lose your momentum. I tend to research before. Then, if I need more, I do it later.
How about you? What is your researching method when writing fiction?
Good video, Joan, and good tips.
Hi Paul, thanks for the comment. When do you tend to do your research? Before or after you’re writing?
You always have great advice! I love seeing all your wonderful advice and pointers! It’s great!!! Thanks, Sheri
Hi Sheri, Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I am a teacher at heart and I hope to share much of what I’ve learned about the writing process with others.
I do my research during the writing, or afterward, if it’s too big a piece of research to do on the spot. Before I start writing, I don’t know what I need to know. But then, I’m writing sci fi and fantasy.
My current WIP is a dystopian fantasy set in a future ice age, and I’ve been looking up making flint arrowheads.
@Margaret. I heard somewhere that fantasy writers do much more research than people realize. I suspect that’s true. Your example of making flint arrowheads suggests a lot of research going on to make your fantasy books real. Thanks for stopping by and putting another perspective on this.
Great post/video, Joan! I love to do research, and can be found researching all kinds of things at any point during a WIP. Because I enjoy it so much, I tend to put too much detail from the results of my research into my writing. It’s okay, though, because my brother/writing partner helps me cut what needs cutting!
Hi Heather. You are fortunate to have a writing partner who can rein in your research! And, of course, it’s better to have too much than not enough. Thanks for stopping by.