Historical Non-Fiction Research tips

 

 

Historical Non-Fiction Research tips

Non-fiction is based on factual situations, places, people, and historical happenings. So when you write a Historical Non-fiction book, you better make sure you have your facts correct and your timeline accurate. I personally like to incorporate historical details in all my work to give it much more color and intrigue. So let's get to it. 

Planning is everything.

Before you do any research, begin with a plan of action. In other words, your list of research topics should be prioritized in such a way that you know what you’re doing without wasting time and energy. Here’s a good list to think about, what is your primary focus going to be, what’s your secondary focus? What about the political backgrounds of your character, daily life, economic status, location status, etc.? Think about all these things before you begin researching this way you won’t overlook something or fail to see it when it appears in your research. Taking proper notes at the time will save you so much time. Be smart and don’t waste your time.

Taking notes

When taking notes at any historical location, I believe in the old-school way of actual notes like paper and pencil. The more you can write down the better you’ll be when you decide to finally start writing. Notes can describe a specific person and their type of work, to describe the location or schooling your potential character might have done. Bad notes are not a bad thing and can spark your imagination when creating your storyline, but good notes add to the accuracy of the story, especially if you’re writing historical stories.

Use of the archives

I love spending time in the archives in search of story plots, figures, and facts that can be used in my writings. When I write I always try to include historical facts and characters to help bring the story to life. Especially if my reader is a researcher, I never want one of them to come back and accuse me of fabricating historical facts. It’s never happened thank heaven, but if I slip up and become sloppy it might.

Old pictures what do they tell you?

Another thing I love to do is go to the archives or a library and comb through old pictures. I have a habit of showing up with a tabletop scanner and copying way to many for further study once I get home. Just ask my photographer friend who has helped me with my World War II book. I set out to view and capture a hundred photographs from the National Archives, instead, I came home with over 3000 of them. He about killed me. Anyway, when going through old photos you can allow your imagination to imagine what life was like during that period. What foods they ate, how they entertained themselves, etc. You can learn so much from old photos if you do your research properly. Try it, you might love it too.

Location searches

When you’re designing a book and storyline, you first must know where your locations are going to be, will it be set in the city? Which city? Will it be in the Country? What country and what part of the country will it be set in? Will your characters be poor or rich? If poor, you better know what part of town the poor lived in or you’ll not be considered a viable writer. So, location searches are critical for your research.

Old books

Sometimes you can capture historical information and facts by reading old books. Not novels, because you don’t want to copy another writer’s work, but because that work might spark an idea in your imagination. This also comes in handy with your taking notes. A topic or fact in a novel might give you a lead into what to look for in your research. Such as how to describe a room, furniture, clothing, paintings, etc. Note what you want to research and then go for it.

Internet use

Internet research is all fine and dandy, and oh-so-easy, but be careful at the sources you use. If they are not viable sources, you could be caught in a struggle to define your facts. I’d hate for you to rely on an internet source only to find out it’s a fabricated site that is geared to embellish facts of historical data being skewed by political stupidity.  Pride yourself on verifying any facts you find on the internet. Either by researching through viable sources such as libraries, archives, or experts on the subject matter. You’d be surprised how many experts would be willing to verify or dispel facts that are correct or false in order to ensure the history is depicted correctly. Also, know who your experts are, and vet them correctly.

Start writing!

Now you’ve done your research It’s time to begin writing. Get to it and put those storylines down on paper. You can always edit or correct anything in the rewrite stage, but get the ideas out of your head.

Artist and Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, and journalist. business professional, creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a master’s in criminology and a BS in Business Management she stepped out of the loop for a while but is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to travel and photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to garden and preserve food for the winter months.