Day 18: #AtoZchallenge
Researching a novel doesn’t have to be difficult but it is necessary. Research can be as easy as typing a question in Goggle for information, looking through old photos, sitting down with an expert, or actually visiting a facility or locale.
If you’re writing about a time other than the present, the research can be more difficult. In my current work in progress, I originally set the time frame in the mid 1980’s and quickly discovered the need to do more indepth research. For example, cell phones weren’t available until the late 80’s. Different airlines operated than the ones flying today and only a handful made flights to the area of the country in which my novel was situated.
My research took me inside the airline industry, including the lay out of the inside of a plane, the cell phone industry, and to historical registries. Other works have led me to reserach arson and forensics.
So, to make research easier for you, I’ve compiled a list of my 15 favorite research resources.
- Infoplease – covers anything from current events to historical timelines.
- The Library of Congress – the world’s largest library with millions of items in it’s collection.
- Refdesk – referred to as the “Fact checker for the Internet” this online reference site provides links to headlines news, current events, and any imaginable question you might like to pose.
- Google Scholar – a specialized search engine providing information on academic research.
- Encylcopedia.com – offers 100 trusted sources.
- GoPubMd – your source for all sceince and medical research.
- Godchecker – your God and Goddess resource.
- Writing World – for a primer of historical research.
- Find articles – offering more than 500 print periodicals covering present to 1998.
- Kiosko.net – a daily press directory with access to the world’s largest news sites and displays a readable image from today’s frontpage cover of each newspaper.
- InterFireonline – the complete resource for fire services, fire insurers, law enforcement and others whose duties involve arson investigation, fire investigation safety and fire scene training.
- The Writer’s Forensic Blog – forensic information for writers from D.P. Lyle, MD.
- Mystery File – the crime Fiction research journal.
- MooseRoots – research tool covering census records, imigration, military, death, marriage & birth records.
- Writers Helping Writers – all about characters including the character profile questionnaire and the emotional thesauraus.
So tell me, how do you start your research? Do you have a favorite site? I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilamgood, and Contently.
Reblogged this on Mysticalwriter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for the reblog! Much obliged. As always your comments and thoughts are welcomed. Glad you stopped by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Friday Roundup – 22nd April | Stevie Turner, Indie Author.
Stevie, thank you so much for the wingback. Glad you liked it.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog and commented:
Here are some great research resources for writers
LikeLike
Thanks for the reblog Don! So glad you found it helpful and worth sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. Another great post.
LikeLike
I like using Google Images and Google Street View, especially if I’m setting a story in a place I’m unfamiliar with. It might appear very real in my imagination already, but seeing detail like the layout of road junctions etc helps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Google earth satellite gives you clear pictures like you wouldn’t believe. Everything is in the details. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great list Sis!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sis.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The very first thing I do is google my idea to find out what is on the internet. Then, I also go to Questia and see what technical books or non-fiction books I can find that give me ideas about my plots. In fact, I do a lot of research as I am writing my outline. I also read extensively. I like to know what works and what cannot work, for example in a love scene, if I am writing about romance.
Visiting from the A to Z Blog Challenge.
Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not familiar with Questia – another one to add to the list. Sounds like you have your research methodology down pat. Good job. It’s always as pleasure seeing you here in the Cow Pasture and thanks for contributing to the conversation.
LikeLike
Thanks, Sheila, for posting such helpful information. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it Kelly. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on and commented:
These challenges are great and the information you find from bloggers is valuable because most of the time it is genuine. Check this blog out for some writer resources! -OM
Note: Comments disabled here. Please visit their blog.
LikeLike
Great stuff! I shared this info on! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing! I appreciate the thumbs up. Share away.
LikeLike
I love when an author does their research. It definitely shows which ones really try to get it right and those that take the easy route. My suggestion for a research resource is your local library, particularly if looking for local history. Girl Who Reads
LikeLiked by 1 person
Donna, you are absolutely correct. I was remiss in not including the local library on my list of resources. Thanks for the reminder. So glad you took a stroll through the Cow Pasture to join the conversation. Thank you.
LikeLike
You’ve given us lots of good info over the past several days. Much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why thank you. I’m glad you found it helpful and glad you stopped by.
LikeLiked by 1 person