. . . or research it!
Are you familiar with the subjects covered in your manuscript? The old adage, write what you know, has merit. But if you don’t know much about a subject, take the time and do the research. Don’t rely on what you’ve seen on TV or heard from friends.
There is plenty of information available at public libraries or over the internet. You could conduct an interview with someone knowledgeable about your subject or experienced in the field you are writing about.
One component of self-editing is to perform a final fact check. Verify your information and double check your sources. If you are basing your characters’ actions on fictitious scenarios and are aware you are doing so, that is fine. You might consider an author’s note that explains that creating your fictitious town, mountain range, lake, historical personage, etc. was necessary to your plot. However, basing your characters’ actions on scenarios you believe to be true, but haven’t researched, can pose a big threat to the integrity of your story.
Discovering that you’ve made your characters act on information that has no basis in reality at this point can force you to change your plot line, which could throw your whole story out of whack.
Also keep in mind that your characters should only think about and talk about what they know, or they’ll need to research it, too. A run-of-the-mill kindergarten teacher probably doesn’t have the knowledge or skills to disarm a nuclear bomb. A lawyer shouldn’t have the knowledge or skills to remove a tumor.
Finally make sure that you use words appropriate to the era in which your novel is set and that you verify the definition of words because they change over time. Many dictionaries will give you a short etymology of the word in question. Both the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary and the Oxford English Dictionary list the approximate dates that words were first used.
Painting the Paper Canvas/Christopher and Spence
One last thing, if you can go to someplace that is in your novel, i.e. racetrack for a racing novel, police station for police procedural novel etc., then do it. This will give you a new perspective on your story and how to write it. Also, if you aren’t sure about where to go, check out similar places and call to see if you can set an appointment and ask who you need to talk to. Be sure you tell them you are writing a novel, and you would appreciate the opportunity to talk to those who may be able to help you with your story. This is a good time to have your synopsis ready so that you can explain what your book is about.
Be respectful and polite. Ask permission if necessary and don’t get your panties in a twist if they say no. It can happen. Find an alternative. Good luck.
Juanita Houston, Author, Editor for Dead to Writes.
Are you familiar with the subjects covered in your manuscript? The old adage, write what you know, has merit. But if you don’t know much about a subject, take the time and do the research. Don’t rely on what you’ve seen on TV or heard from friends.
There is plenty of information available at public libraries or over the internet. You could conduct an interview with someone knowledgeable about your subject or experienced in the field you are writing about.
One component of self-editing is to perform a final fact check. Verify your information and double check your sources. If you are basing your characters’ actions on fictitious scenarios and are aware you are doing so, that is fine. You might consider an author’s note that explains that creating your fictitious town, mountain range, lake, historical personage, etc. was necessary to your plot. However, basing your characters’ actions on scenarios you believe to be true, but haven’t researched, can pose a big threat to the integrity of your story.
Discovering that you’ve made your characters act on information that has no basis in reality at this point can force you to change your plot line, which could throw your whole story out of whack.
Also keep in mind that your characters should only think about and talk about what they know, or they’ll need to research it, too. A run-of-the-mill kindergarten teacher probably doesn’t have the knowledge or skills to disarm a nuclear bomb. A lawyer shouldn’t have the knowledge or skills to remove a tumor.
Finally make sure that you use words appropriate to the era in which your novel is set and that you verify the definition of words because they change over time. Many dictionaries will give you a short etymology of the word in question. Both the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary and the Oxford English Dictionary list the approximate dates that words were first used.
Painting the Paper Canvas/Christopher and Spence
One last thing, if you can go to someplace that is in your novel, i.e. racetrack for a racing novel, police station for police procedural novel etc., then do it. This will give you a new perspective on your story and how to write it. Also, if you aren’t sure about where to go, check out similar places and call to see if you can set an appointment and ask who you need to talk to. Be sure you tell them you are writing a novel, and you would appreciate the opportunity to talk to those who may be able to help you with your story. This is a good time to have your synopsis ready so that you can explain what your book is about.
Be respectful and polite. Ask permission if necessary and don’t get your panties in a twist if they say no. It can happen. Find an alternative. Good luck.
Juanita Houston, Author, Editor for Dead to Writes.
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