In a post on CrimeReads, W.M. Akers says that research is necessary for historical fiction, but should also be fun. “Done properly, it can be a pleasure—the rare element of writing where failure is impossible, where the process can simply be enjoyed,” Akers says. He suggests four rules to make your research feel like play.
- Start with a plan. “Before emptying the shelf at the local library, plan your attack,” he says. “Choose two or three sources and pick them dry. It’s likely they will give you everything you need.” He also suggests setting a time limit for your research. A few weeks of research will likely give you enough to start writing.
- Read weird books. “The more specific your sources, the happier you will be,” Akers writes. “Period newspapers, books, and magazines are essential—not just for the characters they present, but because they show what people of the era cared about…The most valuable thing you can take from your research is not raw facts, but the vibe of the time and place. Once you absorb that, your stories will come alive.
- If you get bored, quit. “Remember that you’re writing a story, not a research paper,” Akers cautions. “Not only do you not need to learn everything, you probably shouldn’t. It will only weigh you down.”
- Don’t use it all. “In doing research, your job is to fill yourself with as much knowledge about the topic as interests you,” Akers says. “This will allow you to write with confidence—the most important tool a writer can have. The reader will respond.”
