How are Novels Researched?

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Congratulations to Anita from North Carolina whose name was randomly selected to receive a $35.00 Amazon gift card from all those who suggested blog topics. Many thanks to all of you for your wonderful ideas—I now have 52. This week’s topic is one that many of you requested. 

Writers research to create authentic plot points and develop a story that is true to the setting, time, era, and worldview. Sometimes a writer must step outside their comfort zone. This often means traveling to the setting and investigating where the character journeyed in the story. Only when a writer prepares to conduct research beyond the minimum will readers find reason to applaud.

I’ve traveled to South Sudan, rode along with the Border Patrol, interviewed serious treasure hunters, hiked off the grid in desert mountains, became involved with the FBI and their Citizens Academy, the ATF Citizens Academy, and I’m constantly investigating fresh ways to ensure my novel’s contents are accurate.

Sensory Perception

Authentic fact-finding enlists sensory perception, and the results draw readers into our story world. During a research visit, I take lots of notes and photos. Sometimes I bring along a recording device for interviews with people who live there.

See

What I see while conducting research takes many facets or dimensions. Seeing in a physical sense means documenting all those details necessary about the story world—yet knowing only one or two items will be necessary. The dialogue, description, and inner thoughts add flavor to the story. But sight exceeds the physical realm. Consider what’s in the mind’s eye. A writer’s imagination weaves what she sees with how she will use the information.

Logic is another part of seeing the setting. Will the information build realism and story credibility? What is discovered that brings fresh vision to a character’s adventure?

Another aspect of seeing in research is the careful study of the people interviewed. What does their body language reveal as they relay memories? Painful moments? Heart treasures? People remember events according to their own sensory experience. These memories can add a personal touch.

Hear

What does the writer hear when conducting research? Listen to the sounds of nature. Study the culture, the unique vocabulary, the subtleties, the laughter, and tears. Writers tune their ears to the dialect of the people within their setting. Several years ago, my son and I visited Gettysburg, PA. We were so moved that we thought we heard the cries of the soldiers.

Taste

Communicate local flavor by evoking the sense of taste. Whether we are in the States or halfway around the world, depicting food and drink brings a richness to our writing. The character’s experience with unusual tastes can also evoke fear and confusion.

Smell

Dig into the traditions and customs for the setting’s smell, whether offensive or enjoyable. The sense of taste and smell weave memories for our characters. The link often means the two are inseparable.

Touch

Researching through touch means brushing our fingers across the vegetation, dipping our feet into the water, petting an animal, or embracing someone or something different. Experience the surroundings. Laugh. Cry.

Touch pulls us into someone else’s world.

If a writer uses an actual place to set a story, be sensitive to those living in the community. Consider using fictitious names for cities, streets, and businesses to avoid offending the residents. A writer wouldn’t want a serial murder living on a real street or cite damaging information about prominent people and places.

A writer needs three essentials to ensure research success:

1. A positive attitude.
2. A temporary personality from an introvert to an extrovert.
3. A list of prepared questions that demand answers.

Sometimes it’s impossible for the writer to visit a story’s setting. Libraries hold a wealth of information. Websites offer incredible insight, but make sure sources are verified online in at least three places before documenting it in the story. Contact the area. The chamber of commerce often has more information on a subject than any website. Churches, diners, museums, libraries, newspapers, and historical societies are rich sources of information.

Sci-fi and fantasy settings are best researched by reading many bestselling novels in that genre. Familiarize yourself with ancient myths, folklore, futuristic technology, and preparing a story world.

Research can be a terrifying process or an enjoyable journey simplified by a few helpful tips.

Organize

List what the story needs according to a timeline. This includes setting, characters, dialogue, and culture.

Develop

What specialty people does the writer need to contact to ensure reliable information?

Map

Where does the writer need to visit for accuracy?

Focus

The following questions and suggestions help me focus, develop, and map out a strategic plan.

1. Visit the area’s Chamber of Commerce.
2. Conduct a google search of the community or area.
3. Take lots of pictures and label them.
4. Interview the local people. In a historical, this also means reading diaries and journals.
5. How has history affected the community?
6. Listen to how the local people talk. Do they have a unique vocabulary?
7. What is the area’s culture? What are their values and expectations?
8. What is their diet? How do they obtain their food supply?
9. How is the area governed?
10. What is unique about the restaurants and hotels?
11. What is the source of entertainment?
12. How do residents celebrate the seasons? What are the average temperatures?
13. What are the medical concerns? Is medical care available?
14. Where do the people live? How are their homes constructed?
15. Where do the people shop?
16. How do the people dress?
17. Do the arts play a role in the community?
18. If the area is near a national or state park, look for research material in the visitor center.
19. Know the wildlife and birds of the area.
20. How do the people view education, sports teams, and favorite colleges and universities?
21. How do the people earn a living?
22. Locate a map of the area. Both contemporary and historical maps may aid in backstory development.
23. Visit the local library. Examine newspaper archives.
24. View documentaries.

Research is not about the writer’s display of knowledge, but an opportunity for readers to experience the story through the eyes of characters who live and walk the adventure. Use only the information the character needs and in his/her point of view.

Do you have additional suggestions for writing research?