Research. According to Dictionary.com research is: diligent and systematic inquiry or
investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories,
applications, etc. In fact, it comes from two French words, which mean “to
search.” You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that makes
sense.
Writers, especially authors of historical novels seem to
revel in research. And I do love to learn more about a subject when I’m really
interested in it. However, I am a victim of two things: A wandering mind and
lack of patience! Even when I was in elementary school, I would be looking up
facts for a report on an animal and I would inevitably start reading about some
great writer, artist, statesman, an exotic place or beautiful plant in the encyclopedia.
So many facts, so little time!
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These days I sometimes don’t ask the right question and this
leads to frustration. When I want to pin down whether a certain product was
available in 1900, but I can’t find anything exact about it’s history, I panic.
Well, okay, I want to pound the desk, but doing that won’t make any difference.
My impatience becomes visible. And I keep trying, but it may mean making a
change in my story.
One of my
favorite resources for research is finding good, but inexpensive used books
online for studying my subject and having them sent right to my door. Often
books, if they’re in the public domain, and are available for anyone to read
right there online. And of course, don’t forget interlibrary loan. Then there
are journals and historical books found in the stores of museums and historical
sites, but they may be a costlier investment.
This week I’ll be tackling some rewriting, but I will also
be spending time in research, journeying into the past to ancient Egypt. I’ll
definitely be praying that the Lord leads me in the right direction to find
some things I need to know.
If you’ve put a manuscript aside and you need some impetus
to get back into your story, try setting aside some time for research this week.
Get yourself back into the mood for working on your story and save time later
by having some facts at hand.
Writing prompt: The
archaeologist slid further down the narrow passageway into the Pharaoh’s tomb
and becamewedged . . .
Take several minutes to explore how you might feel in the
archaeologist’s place and how she or he might get out of this predicament!
Please share your
favorite methods of research in the comment section below. Do you delve into research before writing? During
writing? Or after the first draft is written? Which do you think saves the most time?
