Research

So you have an idea for a story, but there are still parts that you aren't quite parts that you are positive on. What do you do? You do research. Let it be on a specific time period, a location, on occupation, etc. You want things to be as realistic to the reader as possible and that means that you have to know about what you are writing on.

So where do you start? Now that you know what you are looking for.

Well there are so many different ways of going about it now days, with this new fangled thing called the internet. First off I suggest heading off to the library. Yeah I said it go old school. Go digging around in the reference section of the dusty no mans land that people rarely go to any more. You can pretty much find anything in the wonderful free library. Yes digging through the reference books can be tedious at times but in the end it can be worth it.

Still looking for more details? Or just couldn't find enough information yet? Then head to the internet!

There are a multitude of wonderful search engines that can help you find what you are looking for, but be forewarnded that you will have to be weary of just how accurate some sites are. Wikipedia is a great place for short breakdown (though some things say might not be 100% accurate but its a good place to start), then there is always google, and bing, along with a few other places you can look. The internet is a place you can get lost in and find things that you never even thought was possible. Remember to stay focused or you might get distracted by plenty of schinanagains.

And lastly but surely not least....there surely is a person who is an expert in the subject you are researching. So find that person and get in contact with them! See if they are willing to take the time out of there surely busy day to answer all the questions you have that couldn't be done from all the reading that you have done.

Please please please... let me say it one more time...please make sure you go to them knowing the basics of there subject. You don't want to look like a fool when you are talking to them. And please don't pretend you are an expert of the subject either. You don't want to burn a bridge to someone that can help you out on accurace. Ask intelligent questions and remember that people love talking about what they do. Being able to hold up your end of the conversation will also show that you are actually intersted in what they are talking about.

I know all these sound like the most basic of things but you will be amazed what people will do without being well informed. And for goodness sakes if someone says that they don't have the time or that because you might not be a published author or might not be able to sure about it, then don't take it personal. As a new writer we get enough rejections, but it comes with the trade. So get used to it! Roll with the punches and find someone else.

Hopefully this will help you in the hunt to become a better writer. I know that sometime doing the research can be the most dreaded and yet exciting part of starting a new story idea. Some times you find out some many new things about the thing that had sparked your idea. Other times you find that what you had in mind doesn't comepletely work out. So your story evolves with what you learned. Or at times the story gets trashed, yet the history or whatever topic you were searching, completely changes everything, but you have a new beginning.

Good luck in your research and hunt for an expert in the subject. I know that it's hard, expecially finding or talking to an expert, but you can do it. Take a deep breath and jump in. The only person stopping you from creating a new world is you. Keep up the great work and soon enough you will have a finished polished product that everyone can enjoy!