I enjoyed both writers’ conferences last month, but especially enjoyed leading a workshop on research in fiction at Imaginarium. Research is a necessary part of fiction writing because the reader has to believe in the authenticity of the tale. In years past, research was an onerous process of visiting libraries, searching through encyclopedias and card catalogues, visiting locations, and chatting with experts. Ever since the advent of the internet, however, all knowledge is virtually at your fingertips. You can see location details on google maps and learn about almost anything on sites like Wikipedia and YouTube. So, the focus has shifted from searching to selecting, meaning that the most important aspect is knowing what to leave out of your writing. Too much technical detail slows the pace and makes your thriller read like a training manual.
There are several ways to simplify the research process. First, the old adage, write what you know. A plumber who wants to write a courtroom drama has to do a lot more research than a lawyer. Another important point is to sometimes let the reader’s imagination fill in the blanks. That is to say, one doesn’t necessarily need to describe bars, offices, or police stations because the reading public already knows what these places look like (or think they know.). These are two of my top six tips on researching fiction. If you are interested in learning more, just drop me an email.