In a post on the Stage 32 blog, Shannon Valenzuela discusses the benefits and pitfalls of research. “We do research to inform ourselves so that what we write is intelligent and intelligible,” she says. “Research grounds our worlds and makes them feel real, it gives us insight into our characters, and it provides us with so much raw material for generating authentic conflict.”
Common pitfalls are info-dumping and procrastination. When we’ve conducted thorough research, we tend to geek out on our discoveries and may be tempted to show off everything we’ve learned. However, unless your knowledge supports your story, you should resist. “Use only what is necessary,” Valenzuela says. “f you’ve done the work, the structure will hold.”
Also, the more we learn, the more we think we need to know. After all, if a few interesting tidbits will flesh out your story world and add verisimilitude, won’t more information be even better? It’s easy to get lost in Wiki holes, believing that more and more research is necessary before we can even begin writing. “But research isn’t the story,” Valenzuela cautions. “Just begin.”
To find the right balance between being informed and being stuck in research mode, Valenzuela offers five tips:
- Make a List. “Before you start researching, there are two elements of the story you should rough out,” she writes. “The first is your concept, and the second is the story world.” Once you have this written out, make a list of your research needs. You can add or subtract to it, but you should list everything you need to know before you start writing. This list will guide you away from unnecessary research areas. As with a trip to the grocery store, a prepared list will help you get in and out quickly, without wandering down random research aisles.
- Follow the White Rabbit. By this, Valenzuela means taking advantage of the research other people have done. “Use the hyperlinks in articles you read, or send a note to the people the writer interviewed,” she suggests. “Work from the bibliography in the back of a book to track down additional sources. These authors have done the research and found the sources. Now all you need to do is follow in their footsteps.” Keep following links and bibliographies until your sources tap out.
- Look for Unusual Details. Because your research is focused, you’re free to pick up unusual factual tidbits. “We’re not just looking to get the names of things right when we do research in a subject area,” Valenzuela says. “We should also be looking for specific and unusual details that give us ideas for possible conflicts that are grounded in our particular arena.”
- Research as You Write. Once you have enough information to start your story, dive in. If you don’t need certain facts until the mid-point, save the research time until you hit it. This is also where you add new items to your list. “Keeping a running list of things you need to track down will help you balance between maintaining momentum on your WIP and finding the answers you need to enrich the story,” Valenzuela says. Research is also a good way to take a break from writing without taking leave of your WIP.
- Leave Room for Serendipity. Many writers have experienced the thrill of discovering a perfect fact or inspiring anecdote in their research. “Planning out your research doesn’t cut you off from discovery: it sets you up to discover exactly what you need to discover,” Valenzuela writes.
