Using Research in Your Writing
By the way, I can’t find the words to say (a writer not being able to find words!) how much I enjoyed the residency and working with all of you to make it such a success. I already miss you all, and eagerly look forward to July — think of warm summer nights on the island, clam bakes, and sea cruises. And, oh, getting some writing done as well.
I will be doing a seminar this summer on using research in your writing, but I thought I’d get some dialogue going now about this topic. Writers use research, most obviously in writing historical fiction, as I sometimes do, but they also use it in writing fiction set in contemporary times, in writing non-fiction, and even in writing poetry. Research can open up windows into many things about your writing, including character, situation, plot, setting, and even helping to establish voice and tone. Most importantly, I think, it also gives the writer a sense of mastery over his or her material: as Hemingway said, a writer should know enough about his subject so that he’s comfortable enough to leave stuff out. Writers need to know both what to put in and what to leave out. When to research, what to research, how to use research in your work to establish credibility, and when to know enough is enough — these are some of the most important questions that writers must ask themselves.
For example, in my last two novels, SOUL CATCHER, and the novel I just finished, BEAUTIFUL ASSASSIN, I first had to do tons of research about the pre-Civil War period and World War II, respectively. By knowing more about the world I was to write about, I suddenly knew more about my characters’ worlds. I began, slowly and sometimes tediously, to enter into the mind of my characters’, one of the most important things a writer can do. Research, for me, is not just the frosting on the cake, the little touches regarding the setting’s truth (for example, the fact that Cain uses a Walker Colt pistol, or that Tat’yana’s sniper rifle is a Moison-Nagant 7.62 mm bolt action), it is fundamentally about the characters’ world, and how their external world reflects their internal world.
I will be giving a workshop on the writer’s use of research this summer, but for now, I’d like to hear from each of you how you use research to inform your own writing. This might help each of use to try new things in our work.
Your writing gives me more inspiration. I have also read your last novel SOUL CATCHER. It’s amazing to read. Online Dating Community
April 2, 2013 at 7:57 am
It’s a really informative blog to know in deep about Fairfield University. Thanks for the information and additional resources.
March 15, 2013 at 2:28 am
Which kind of research you are doing in writing? I want to know about it.
March 9, 2013 at 11:55 am
Hands down, Apple’s app store wins by a mile. It’s a huge selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune. Microsoft has plans, especially in the realm of games, but I’m not sure I’d want to bet on the future if this aspect is important to you. The iPod is a much better choice in that case.
February 9, 2013 at 7:24 am
Hey everyone,
I was a skeptic also when it first came to research – I thought of it only as a nice thing to use for filler or fluff. But now I’m writing a little about the Gulf War and when exactly that begin and the more I dig, the more opportunity I see to expand for my story.
Hope you’re all doing well,
David
January 30, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Hi. I agree with everyone—particularly Donna; this blog is thought-provoking and comforting, a great way to keep the conversation going.
At first I thought, “Research? I don’t need to do research; I’m writing a memoir!” Thanks to Amy Benson (who assigned our workshop an exercise in which we researched what was happening in society at a moment of personal significance), I’ve realized that research helps me connect my own story to cultural/social events, placing the specific moments that happened in my life within a larger context and (I hope) adding another layer of meaning. For example, I was thinking about something that happened to me in junior high school and wondering how I could find out more when I finally realized that I could get a copy of my records, which might have some useful information.
One thing I would like to mention is that, as Fairfield University students, we have access to the incredibly valuable online and IRL resources available through the school’s library.
I would never discourage anyone from buying books, of course, but I’ve been able to quickly find in-depth information by accessing the library website.
Write on.
Elizabeth
January 30, 2009 at 9:14 am
Hi everyone,
I love research too – in small doses at first to put me in touch with the era, the element and especially my characters – giving them more of a reality in their world, which has to become mine.
However, I haven’t done much through Google other than small incidental things. Having said that, I used Google recently to get a popular recording sung by Perry Como in the fifties. And to make sure the movie “Love Me Tender,” was released the year I wanted it to be in.
I don’t feel right unless I’m inundated with more books than I’m sure I need and (I know) way too much information that I will never use, yet still feel a need to either know or have at my fingertips. But, the issue for me is knowing the time, place and people that made it what it was. Once I have that sense loosely wrapped around me, I can then do the story work and give my characters the lives and emotions they deserve.
Mostly I buy books (Amazon/B&N junkie). I love books. I can immerse myself in the world of the book, whether it’s Nazi Germany or baseball and Mickey Mantle and stay there – drink it all in until I’m ready to move on.
Michael’s right – it’s ultimately about the research we don’t need but need to know so we can do the writing and make our world real to someone reading it. Research gives us the depth and the validity and weight that Christine speaks of.
And by the way, like everyone else, it took me some time to come back to this world after spending ten days in our new world of sunsets and conversation. Such a wonderful experience with our first INAUGURAL residency! I miss everyone too!
See you soon.
Tina
January 28, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Hi Everyone,
Thanks Michael for discussing research. I love doing the research part of my writing. I find it adds depth, validity and weight to my essays. I can relate to what Donna is saying , using the internet now makes tracking down the info so much easier. I wrote a piece about my grandfather who was a schizophrenic and when I’d visit him in France as a child he would tell me what the German soldier was wearing who had “appeared” to him. (My grandfather had been a prisoner of war.) As an adult now writing about it, I don’t remember exactly the description of the uniform as he detailed it for me. But I can Google Nazi uniforms of the Third Reich which had occupied that part of France during World War II. I did find this information and I was able to describe in my piece the Nazi helmets, their rifles, the insignias on their lapels, their boots, etc. And it really made me piece come alive, I thought.
So yes, I think research is absolutely essential. Even if you don’t use it, it’s good information to have as background. Perhaps you can use it in another piece. And it makes you understand your material better also. I wanted, in a way to “see” what my grandfather saw. And research helped me do that.
Miss you all, by the way…..
Thanks,
Christine
January 28, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Hi all ~
It was good to see a new posting here! Staying connected in different ways is so important and helpful in keeping on track. It has been good to stay in touch with others via email. The idea of research is so critical. Even with just a little bit of research, my pieces change and are richer for the effort. And if it isn’t deep, detailed research, something like Goggle can easily be accessed to add details. I recently spent some time on Google looking for the bike I had when I was eight — a birthday present, knew it was a Schwinn and with a bit of effort, I found it. I had forgotten about the basket my bike had until I found pictures of that line of girls Schwinn bikes on line to look at. I certainly remember the feeling of freedom that bike provided that summer. Researching and adding in details is adding to my work….although, sometimes, heading off in one direction, leads me to a completely different place!
Donna
January 27, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Hi Dr. White……I was asking myself this very question this week! How does one research so much on topics! I am glad you had this entry. I need to learn the topic of research.It would enhance my characters lives and the setting in which I have placed them.
It sounds like I missed a great 12 days, but I was where I needed to be , with Karen my partner, recovering from her brain aneurysm.
I am so looking forward to the residency in July!
Sincerely…..Susan M. Davis
January 24, 2009 at 1:57 am