After spending a few days researching ideas for my blog post, I found an article that covered everything I’d already written, but said it better. Rather than reinventing the wheel, I’ve simply included a link to the article by Tom Young, an author of military thrillers. However, I’ve added a few notes, which, by golly, editors just like to do.
Research is a vital part of writing all different types of genres, including fantasy, which is not mentioned in the article. A reader picks up a book for the purpose of entering worlds familiar, or unfamiliar, to them. Yet, if your fantastical world doesn’t follow its own rules (the ones you’ve created), then your fans will be quite displeased. In the design phase of your new territory, realm, or planet, be sure to keep thorough notes so you can refer back to them as characters explore the possibilities awaiting them.
Don’t assume that your editor will catch any discrepancies with your reality-based fiction writing. If there are elements that strike us as odd, we may hop online to see how accurate you were, but otherwise, we’ll assume you have done your research. You should be the latest expert on any subject you put into your writing. If during your content editing, we find problematic areas, and suggest a few different options, know that you’ll be the one responsible for researching out what will work best, or if the ideas won’t work at all. Don’t rely on us to be the experts in your world.
Remember—question everything. I once developed a full outline for a novel based on a common misconception regarding the capabilities of the human brain. What a waste of time. If I’d performed the research first, figured out I’d believed a myth for several years, I would have altered my approach. Do your research, do it early and often.
All right. I’m done yammering. Here’s the article, which outlines seven tips for research. Good luck!
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/how-to-research-a-novel-7-tips
Our senior editor at Xchyler Publishing, McKenna Gardner has her fingerprints on many projects, including Forged in Flame: a Dragon Anthology, and Oblivion Storm by R.A. Smith. She also works on the editorial teams of Vanguard Legacy: Foretold by Joanne Kershaw, and Vivatera by Candace J. Thomas, both works to be released in April, 2013.