LEVELUPYOUR WRITING(LIFE)

Tips for Effectively Researching Any Writing Project (Part II)

- SHARON SHORT

In my last column, I covered tools for researching creative writing projects as well as how to wield them effectively and productively.

But even after a writer becomes comfortable with their research toolkit, questions remain: how to best weave the results of research into a project? And how to best use research techniques to enhance one's writing life?

First, let's start with what not to do when weaving the great results of your research into your novel, story, memoir, essay, or other prose:

1. DO NOT USE IDIOT DIALOGUE.

"As you know, Sue, the Volstead Act-or formally the National Prohibition Act was enacted in October 1919 to define just what 'intoxicating liquors' meant in the Eighteenth Amendment, and was put into force at midnight January 17, 1920, and promptly violated in Chicago nine minutes later."

2. AVOID STOPPING ACTION FOR A LONG NARRATIVE.

Sue contemplated the bourbon and whiskey options on the liquor store shelf: Writers' Tears, Angel's Envy, Maker's Mark... The choices seemed endless. She chuckled to herself, wondering if the authors of the Volstead Act--formally the National Prohibition Act-which was enacted in October 1919, and which was put into force midnight January 17, 1920-would be amazed, horrified, or amused by how popular alcohol was in the 2020s.

3. RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO USE ALL YOUR RESEARCH.

It can feel disheartening to realize that you will not be able to use all of the fascinating nuggets you unearthed. Yet, you probably know more about your characters than you'll be able to use on the page.