Research: Planning Your Research (Blog 1 of 4)

Writing requires research. It’s a nature of the beast and it doesn’t matter whether the work is fiction or nonfiction. Story relies on a strong foundation built from knowledge.

Sometimes we know the subject sufficiently to begin immediately. Other times we are creating a fictional world with fictional people. But it doesn’t seem to matter in the end. Inevitably we will need to ferret out some obscure fact to make our words ring true.

That’s when research comes into the picture.

In this series, we will be diving into the three phases of research for any writing project:

1. Planning your research
2. Research tips
3. Organizing your research
4. Taking effective notes

Our first phase is planning. Research shouldn’t be a haphazard part of your writing process. Sure, you can look up a quick fact and keep writing, but if you are looking at extended or in-depth research for your project, you need to plan it before you jump in.

Step One: Identify Your Needs

Before you can begin researching, figure out what you need. This is as simple as making a list. I keep a running list of things I need to research on my desktop labelled with the name of my current project. When I find holes in my research, I add that item to my list with a note about where it goes in my project (chapter, page, minute mark, etc.). I also mark it in my manuscript with a large note in a different color as a reminder.

Step Two: Decide When to Do Your Research

There are three basic times to conduct research: before, during, and after. When you choose to do your research depends on how much you know when you begin. Many projects will require research at more than one of these times.

Before
If you are writing about something new or unknown, you will need to do your research before you begin or you won’t have much to say. Research will help you build a foundation. It will inform your plot or outline for the piece too. You have to know enough to form an opinion or gain a sense of the material. Even if you are writing fiction, you will need to assimilate period research or subject details to create realistic characters and scenes. This type of research also helps in world building, wardrobe, and creating character sketches.

During
If you have a basic understanding of your subject and an approach or plot for your work, then begin. If you come to a hole in your knowledge, start a list of your research needs and put a blank spot (identifying what you need) and keep writing. Then set a time to do your research. It may be when your list hits a certain number or at a particular point in the project, say the halfway point. I typically select a research day in the middle of a project to tackle my list and fill in any gaps so I can write more effectively and quickly. If the words are still flying, I’d recommend waiting until the first draft is complete. Why interrupt a good flow?

After
In many cases, you can hold your research until the first draft is complete. Sure you may have a few holes (clearly identified as such) in your manuscript, but the point of the first draft is not to lock down your facts but to capture the essence of the story. This holds true whether your piece is fiction or nonfiction. The first draft is your opportunity to turn an outline or plot into a rough story or as Erin Morgenstern (author of The Night Circus) says a “book-shaped thing.” Just make sure that the holes in your knowledge will not render your opinion moot. You have to know enough to sustain your outline.