When researching is fun...

I love being a writer. The research behind the stories we write and construct is half the fun. Want tips on making research a little more fun when it seems it was more than work than expected?

1. GOOGLE – Informative and goofy. Learn multiple things in a hurry! This tool allows you several options in under five seconds (unless your phone is slow). I often make my way to You Tube to find a nerdy guy to explain more of the daunting stuff.

Fact: Recently researched about the holocaust. I have to thank Google for without them I wouldn’t have found the quirky man to tell the tale.

2. COFFEE SHOP – When I want to learn about human behavior I’ll go to a coffee shop. You learn mannerisms much quicker when they don’t know you’re watching. Go during a peek hour and find a spot in the corner and just watch (don’t be a stalker about it, though). You’ll be surprised by what you pick up.

3. GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE – Baseball games, museums, water parks or amusement parks. Take a day for yourself. Get out of your head. Removing yourself from your usual routine allows your mind to work in another area. Often times my ideas start to form when I have a day to trying something new or unusual… never be common. We as writers were meant to be unique. Let that freak flag fly.

4. GET ADDICTED – Hobbies are great. Don’t let them become distracting but take a day to watch a favorite season or dive into a book that pertains to what you need to learn. When your imagination is at an all-time high the juices flow and you’re able to soak up more knowledge when the time comes around.

5. PICK BRAINS AND TEACH OTHERS – To make the knowledge stick talk to others about it. Spouses, family members, and children (unless it’s about serial killers…). The more you share what you’ve learned you’re more likely to keep hitting the books and becoming in tune with what your character would have taken the time to learn.

What do you do to make research fun?

Writer's Research

Happy Wednesday!!!


Today I want to talk about writing – sort of. As opposed to every day right! I love writing as do most of you who follow me.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the writing process there is a part of the writing where research must happen, sometimes a lot of it.

For a character recently I had to ask Lydia to do a post on her blog for Medical Mondays’ regarding a MC of mine who hardly ever spoke. I wanted to make sure her lungs wouldn’t be affected if she stopped speaking for a long period of time.

I read on Jennifer Hillier’s blog how she visited a women’s correctional facility and spoke with the warden to get a better idea of how the facility worked, all for a new book. (Click here to access PT 1 of the 4 part series as Jennifer shares what she learned!)

I was inspired by Jennifer. I didn’t think I’d have the guts to ask anyone to help me in writing a book. What do you say? What if they say no? What if it ends up being one awful idea?

I stuck all the questions and what if’s in my back pocket and decided to take a chance. My MC told me she was a wedding planner… problem was, I am not. I took a chance and emailed someone who was in the business and asked if she’d be interested in taking me through her process. Within a day she responded and was so excited!

Just like that I ended up being extremely grateful she said yes and she was over the moon that I’d even ask. Turned out that she’s a freelance writer and has always wanted to write a book! What are the odds? Looks like I might be able to give her tips while she gives me tips.

So have you ever stepped outside your comfort zone and had it turn out to be a huge reward? Have you talked with an expert for real details?