Writing Research

Hello and welcome back to a very very VERY late post. I am sooooooo late I have no excuses. Except for the fact that I forgot about it because I was... *sheepishly smiles* writing. Yes, writing. I've been working on some big projects for writing, and they have taken precedence. My greatest apologies, but now on to this post's topic!

As you can probably see from the title, we are discussing research today! Yay! *throws confetti* okay, so you probably are thinking, what's so exciting about it? Well.... 

Nothing. For myself, I find I have mixed feelings about research for my writing. Sometimes I'm pumped to learn more about a topic, and other times I wonder if I can just use the limited knowledge I have and get away with that.

So it's basically a love-hate relationship I've got going on with research. But nonetheless, research is very important to writing. Our characters experience things we could only dream of, and therefore we often don't know some things about the topic. 

For example, if you are like me, your characters get into a lot of trouble in which they are mentally and physically scarred. And because of that, often times I have to go to my trusty medical guide (WebMD is a great website with ACCURATE medical information) to research a particular ailment or treatment. I don't always want to do this, but if I didn't' then I might make a grave writing mistake.

Another example of such a mistake might be that my character gets poisoned, and instead of researching the effects of this particular poison (or any poison for that matter) I write as I imagine it. Now, you might be able to get away with it, but more likely than not you will lose credibility in your story, and it will appear a lot less realistic. Therefore, because you didn't take the few minutes' time to research that topic, you've written a lot on stuff you don't really understand. 

Okay, so putting those examples aside, I hope you are starting to see my point.

So whatever the topic may be, if you aren't well versed in it already, it would be wise to research as much as you can on it, especially if it is a big topic that will take a huge part of whatever you are writing. 

And the biggest reason is: your readers. They are merciless. And I am being completely honest.

Okay, not merciless in that if you make a mistake they'll hunt you down (that would be scary...), but they notice most all mistakes that you think you've hidden well. They notice a LOT of things. Trust me on that. 

Alright, well that is pretty much all I have on this topic. Basically, my whole point is that research is essential to the writing process. It is important for viability, being realistic, and being accurate. It shapes your writing and moves you from a novice to a professional, no matter what your age. Know what you write about. 

Aaaaannnd these cartoons have nothing to do with this topic, but I thought they were too funny not to share. Enjoy :) 

Aaaaaannnnnnnddddddd.............

Alright, that's it for this post! Enjoy your week! And I'll see you soon (metaphorically, that is).