Research In Writing

When I think of stories requiring a lot of research, I think of historical fiction, where you're researching a particular time period, or maybe suspense, where there tends to be a lot of police involvement and crime-solving.

But the truth is that every story requires a degree of research. You can simplify this process by writing what you know. Use a familiar setting. Use an occupation that is familiar to you for your hero or heroine.

I find that inevitably, my characters take me into uncharted waters. One becomes a firefighter/paramedic. One becomes and informant to help police discover the location of a meth lab. One goes on a cross-country journey to find his biological father. One becomes a lead singer in a band with explosive success.

So how do I write these things believably, accurately, and in realistic detail? Well… Research!

The good news is that in the Information Age, there’s a lot that I can find out via the internet. The story about the firefighter/paramedic is set in Virginia. I happened to stumble onto a volunteer rescue squad in Virginia that actually posts calls they take on their web site online. Gives me some great information!

Through my Netflix subscription, I was able to find two documentaries about Meth and its production and use in the US. That gives me some really valuable history about the drug and its use that will form some of the backdrop and between the lines stuff in that story.

But honestly, I’m a “hands on” kind of girl. I want to talk to someone who is involved in what I’m writing about. Ask questions, learn about things directly from a source. So that means stepping outside the box a little further.

Last fall, I sent an email to the web site manager for the rescue squad in Virginia. He responded enthusiastically, letting me know that I could use information on the CARS web site for my story, as well as offering to answer any questions I might have along the way. Wow!

Encouraged, I sent an email to the local fire chief. He put me in contact with a Battalion Chief here, who met with me to answer some questions, and also gave me permission to ride along with one of the stations! So I spent several evenings actually going out on calls with them—watching them do lift assists, rescue car accident victims, etc. It was an amazing experience.

This year, I contacted the police department and asked if there was someone I could speak with regarding meth in this area. Yet again, they responded with enthusiasm and someone took the time to meet with me and answer my questions.

So… Be encouraged! Step out there! If you’re writing about something, and you need some hands-on research, ask someone! See if you can’t get yourself a contact with the information you’re looking for. My experience has been very positive—and I do not have a long list of publications with which to impress them. It’s just my word that I’m writing a novel. So get out there and give it a shot!