Writing Room – Research

Writing Room is our online writing group.

We post a prompt.  Once you’ve written your piece, post it in the comments box below. Anyone is welcome to take part and it’s an opportunity to post work plus give and gain feedback.

Today’s prompt is all about researching. Many writers find this a valuable thing when it comes to beginning their novel or story. There is no rule as to how much you need to do before starting your own work but it is valuable to at least know a little about what you’re writing about and getting a balance between fact and imagination in relation to your work.

If you keep a writing journal/ideas book, pick one idea that particularly interests you at the moment and research up to three elements for it. For example,  If it’s a historical piece, it could be what clothing was popular. If your book is about a teenager in the 90’s, then look into the music that was released then. If you don’t have an idea to hand, pick a news story use that as inspiration.

Once you’ve finished, post your thoughts in the comments below. What elements did you look research? Did you find this exercise interesting and helpful? Do you think research is important?

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.