Research

I have had to spend many a night devoted to research for stories. For every piece of paper scribbled with a story idea, there is an equal for notes. I have done research on topics ranging from history, mechanics, politics, religion, science, etc. I once researched how to operate a rigid airship. Because that's what being a writer does to you. You want to tell stories, fascinating stories of adventure and fantasy, but we often live the most mundane lives underneath it all. I've never been on an airship. Not sure I ever want to ride one after my research, but I wanted to write about it.

Luckily we live in the age of information and almost anything we need to know is available at our fingertips (i.e. Google). For my Camp NaNoWriMo novel I decided to tell a love story about a high school senior and an ancient genie. While I know plenty about being a high school senior, I was drawing a blank on the genie part, aside from what I've seen in Aladdin, so I pulled up another tab and googled it. Wikipedia was my first option, as usual, and I clicked on the link where I was instantly transported to everything I need to know about genies, or djinn, from the etymology of the word to their religious connotation to what makes up their physical matter, fire.

Not only does doing research provide you with answers to all of your technical questions, it also sometimes provides insight to your plot or even inspiration for a storyline you'd never even thought of. Take my genie story, for example, not only did I decide I wanted the lamp to fall from the sky because some djinn originate from the air, but I also thought up the ending based on something I found doing research.

I know what some of you are thinking. Wikipedia? Where's the credibility? Wikipedia is actually quite accurate for a Web 2.0 invention. While there have been instances of misinformation appearing on some of the articles, it is usually resolved quickly. Not only are there millions of minds to draw from, the article informs you up front if there are any references, also helpful for finding more reputable websites. I've even had a few college professors who recommend going to Wikipedia to find sources, though most schools still have policies against using the actual site as a reference. And it reads incredibly easy, since it is written by everyday folk. So, you may find you understand a Wikipedia article much easier than a more technical source, incredibly helpful while researching my airships.

Whatever you're writing about, doing the research where experience has limited you can open up so many new thoughts for your story. Take the extra time, put in the effort and you'll see that your work will pay off in the future.