Research tips for writing Fiction

Fiction is any type of creative work that is based on imaginary characters, places, and narratives that are made up from your imagination. However, you can use actual historical facts that you can twist such as making it a sci-fi story, or a Twilight Zone-style story. So, let’s delve into the research you might need to conduct.

As always start with a plan of action:

A plan of action will help save you time and repeated trips to your research location. So let’s begin, What type of story do you want to write? What type of historical research would you like to conduct? If you don’t have a plan of action in mind then you will potentially miss out on some cool facts that you could twist up and add to your story. When you put together a research activity, I find making a list of topics to research is the first key, maybe a specific timeline or event that I can manipulate into my story, what about creating a new political genre, or daily life (mixture of medieval, ancient lifestyle thrown into a spacetime scenario) Prioritize your list into primary, secondary, and third-level items. Let’s say you're writing a sci-fi story, you’ll need to learn about spaceships, the stars, the planets, atmospheric pressure, and so on. You can’t just write a story about space without knowing a little bit about it, right? So put your list together as to what you need to learn and go forth and discover it.

Cross-Referencing your data:

When you research things, write them down but also cross-reference your findings. I find, when I don’t cross-reference my research I forget where I found it and where I verified it. This would be writing down wrong dates, misspelling names, and places only to realize it after the fact then I get sidetracked having to do my research all over again. This can also be that I am attributing facts to the wrong people or side of history. So, get the details correct the first time out. Key figures and details are key to your success so be sure to get it right the first time you write it down.

When there are no sources for your research:

This is when your imagination must kick into action and your brain needs to create the facts, details, characters, and key figures of your storyline. This always happens when you set your story in a timeframe, when there is no recorded data to verify. Or if your storyline is so far into the future that the data hasn’t been written yet. So, either be a trailblazer for your genre or don’t write the book at all. It’s up to you.

Find the essence of your story era:

You might not find what you’re looking for as facts, figures, data, key figures, etc. but you should be able to find out the essence of the era you want to write about. Or at least come up with key information about an era you’d like to explore and make those details your own. What about historical artifacts to use, music, art, food, and explore, all sorts of things, places, and details that might enhance your storyline.

I’ve actually begun writing a book and then part way through a chapter stop and go do internet research on a subject matter I wanted to include. You can do that too, but I have since found that when I do my research before I start writing I can design the book with more flow and direction. So find your rhythm and get to writing. Don’t let anything or anyone hold you back. Make it happen. Happy Writing!

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.