Research question

[Diannecp]

If your writing involves some research, how do you go about it? Do you research your subject entirely before you begin to write, or do you get the barebones down and go back and build in the details later?

My tendency is to want do the research before I even start writing, but something in me says I'll never write a word that way! I'm working on a piece of Biblical fiction, and I've just been writing away, making notes as I go of things I need to research in more depth.

Just curious what has worked for others. This is all new to me as I've mostly written non-fiction stuff (yeah, just "stuff) in the past.

Dianne

[edmmom]

I think the best answer to that is to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For instance, I'm working on a non-fiction piece which requires research both through books and interviews. First, I prayed that God would show me how to gather the information, and then to give me the strength, wisdom and perserverence to do so. Then, I started my research. Although, logically, I was not done gathering information, after one of the interviews, I heard His Voice saying "Write." Needless to say, I started writing! At times, I still need to stop and look something up, but, before doing so, I turn to Him to see if the research needs to be done right then or can wait. I hope this helps.

[dbrianshafer]

For me it depends on what the material is. For the details I KNOW I'll be using I do some research in advance. But when I need research for the little brushstroke details I usually research as I write and don't sweat them until I need them. For one thing as I write i may consider a new character or set of cxircumstances that I had nor previously thought of or encountered. Writing being a creative process, I usually end up going to Google or a book or whatever as I need. For example, right now I'm in the middle of a book with a scene from the Sanhedrin--so I am researching some of their customs, meeting place, etc. So...research as you need but don't let it keep you from writing. Some books never get written because they are in an interminal "research" stage. :)

brian

[battinsis]

Boy you are preaching to the choir Dianne.
After reading this I wondered if you were a twin I didn't know about. LOL!
I am such a "stuff" writer that editing is exhausting for me so I hear you about the research.
The two that responded covered the subject very well and I too will take from them. Kudos to both of you.
I find I research as I go along, depending on where I'm led. It allows the flow of ideas to continue, but remember everyone has their own style. Be confident that as you allow yourself to be used by God that he will guide you through. Whenever I start getting bogged down with the mechanics I spend less time writing. So you go girl and enjoy the writing Dianne and keep plugging away at your biblical fiction piece.
May I ask: What kind of piece are you writing? (devotion, mag article, novel or short?)
May God bless you in your endeavors

If your writing involves some research, how do you go about it? Do you research your subject entirely before you begin to write, or do you get the barebones down and go back and build in the details later?

My tendency is to want do the research before I even start writing, but something in me says I'll never write a word that way! I'm working on a piece of Biblical fiction, and I've just been writing away, making notes as I go of things I need to research in more depth.

Just curious what has worked for others. This is all new to me as I've mostly written non-fiction stuff (yeah, just "stuff) in the past.

Dianne

[Diannecp]

Thanks for the good feedback. I'm sure I'll figure out a method that works for me as I go along. Like I said, this is just new to me.

Battinsis, I have in the works a short story, a novel (that will require little or no research) and that Biblical fiction thing about Samson (part of which is posted in the Fiction Workshop Forum) which I have no plans for. That was actually the first fiction I tried my hand at, and I just started writing it as part of my devotions. I was having fun with it and kept adding to it and as I did, questions arose about the setting that I naturally wanted to explore. I guess I sensed a rabbit trail detour and hence my question about research methods. And you . . . whatcha working on?

[writefx]

Unless I'm desperate to put words on paper, or am writing for a deadline, I can get very sidetracked by research (see my post in encouragement forum - mystery obsession).

My favourite piece of writing (and published!) has been a fictional biography article about a Victorian doctor - I did the bare minimum research, wrote the story then went back and double checked facts or added things.

I suppose it all depends on what sort of person you are. I found that by entering writing competitions but leaving it until the last moment, I was more likely to come up with a better story.

[writegirl1949]

I think that part of the answer depends on exactly what you are writing about. Obviously, the bottom line is credibility, whether it's in fiction or non-fiction.

My book, "Death in the Desert," deals with real (although almost constantly changing) issues regarding illegal immigrants in Arizona. It's fiction but it's also a book God laid on my heart more than 5 years ago. I tried to put it down ... honest I did. But God wouldn't let me.

It's based on mostly facts and I felt that in order to address the moral issue within the book, I had to fully research it. Otherwise, I believed I wouldn't be credible, thus the issue wouldn't be taken seriously. While it isn't a Christian novel, it poses Christian perspectives on the issues folks are facing as a result of illegal immigrants.

Of course, when is enough research enough? I found that once I completed the book and was satisfied with the message, I no longer worried about any "new" issues. I do feel honored that the University of Arizona Press was interested in the book if I wrote it as non-fiction . But in order to do so would've required facing more suffering and death than I was willing to face (the research I'd done was heartbreaking enough). And, I believe it will reach more folks in fiction form.

I do know the message was strengthened by the in-depth research I did.

Hope that gives some insight.

Blessings, Francine

[kriswrite]

I find that the research often affects *what* I write...even with fiction. So I try to do a lot of research upfront, and then I continue to research as I write.

Everyone is different, but I would think that if you wait to do the research until after the writing is done, you'll end up having to re-write a lot more than you would otherwise.

Kristina
www.kristinaseleshanko.com

[FireFeet]

I'm a research "junkie" and could easily do more of that than writing. So I research and make notes until my brain feels full and to go any further would only complicate things. Then I outline and make up a rough draft and stick all the pertinent facts in place. And then I go back to the research. Does that make sense? :rolleyes:

Question for those of you who mentioned researching Biblical culture (ie: the Sanhedrin and Samson)...did you do that online? I've been searching for a good online resource for that type of info! Thanx. :)

[dbrianshafer]

Hi--

Some of both. I have lots of books here, in my office, in my garage, etc--yeh my wife loves it--from my seminary and doctoral days. So some research is from resources I have at hand. But I do alot of stuff by simply going to Google or another site and entering in the pertinent items. Online Bible dictionaries and resources like that are a great place to start as well. Even typing in a question like--What was the Sanhedrin? or Philistine culture or life in Israel in samson's time can get you started. Have fun!!!

brian