Researching to write a book can be daunting! However, it can be fun if you know the best practices for doing it, so read below!

 

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If you are a first-timer in writing a novel, cookbook, or anything similar, then you undoubtedly will need to do some research. This part of writing a book takes a significant amount of time, as a great book is the outcome of outstanding research on the part of the writer. Initially, you may be dreading research and think of it as an insurmountable ordeal.. But once you know the best research practices, it becomes fun and invigorating.

Not all kinds of writing require all types of research. So, you can compartmentalize and pre-plan your research methods to save time and energy. In this blog, I will show you the right research methods and tips so that you can use your preferred ones.  

4 Best Research Methods and Practices

1. Emphasize Your Experience!

Self-experience is a vital source that should not be ignored. When we experience things in real life, we tend to get a much better sense of it than simply grabbing information from elsewhere. All kinds of books can incorporate your personal experiences in one way or another.

For example, if you are writing a cookbook, you can contextualize the recipes with your personal experiences; this will enhance the writing by adding a dimension of personal intimacy with the reader.  If your book is a biography or based on history, you can travel to museums, archives, and other locations to gather information vital to your book. 

2. Read Your Heart Out

Read, read, and read! There can be no better and trouble-free alternative than reading actual books. Go to a nearby library, or simply just order the books, and guide your reading based on the type of book you will write. If you are going to write a novel, then read the best-selling novels in that specific genre. You can also receive tons of ideas and concepts from journals, encyclopedias, and magazines.

Keep a pen and paper near to note down important facts and figures. Also, you can highlight an important line or para to make it easy for you to find later.

3. The Internet Is Your Best Friend

Putting the minor cons aside, there are multiple pros of researching on the internet. Of course, most modern-day writers depend on this method. The internet is flexible and has everything at its fingertips. Internet research is not only limited to Googling things; you can use social platforms too. Watch Youtube videos regarding your ideas and concepts to gain visualization, which can help in generating better ideas. Also, you can read articles on Pinterest to gain ideas and information. However, if you require collective data or real reader preference, then you can use Facebook. You can:  

• Use Facebook Polls: Join different bibliophile groups on Facebook and use polling there, surveying different options. There the target readers will definitely participate. 
• Online Surveys: If a poll cannot hold enough information you require, you can hold an online survey. Create questions that you need answers for in a Google Form, and share them via your social media and ask your friends to share them.   

For those who don’t have enough funds to travel or buy tons of books, the internet is a preferred source. However, we all know that online knowledge alone is not enough to write a successful book. 

4. Interaction Is Key.

Being interactive is another great way of gaining information for research purposes. While social media is often a focus, you cannot neglect real-life networking. Call people directly to exchange thoughts and ideas. If you have a network with other writers of any sort, call or email them to learn about their experience regarding your book niche. This method sounds tiring indeed, but you will have access to information unavailable elsewhere. 

How to Start Off Researching?

Many newbie writers get stuck on how to start researching. It is important to understand the process before you start; this will give you greater peace of mind and you will be able to work more confidently. 

1. Plan and Organize the Process:  Planning is a vital step of starting any work; otherwise, you can expect the endeavor to end in failure. Research takes a long time if you are a novice in this field, so you are required to apply multiple research methods to know which is best suited for your book. You need to schedule not only when you will be working, but in what manner and to what end. However, if you are an expert writer, then you won’t need much as much research if you are writing on familiar topics, although it is always good to brush up just in case. 

Also, organize everything beforehand. Collect books, prepare your notebooks, highlight markers, etc.  

2. Compile All Your Ideas and Concepts Before Researching: If you are writing a book, you should have prior knowledge about the book’s content. Before you start to research, take notes and write down all of your ideas and concepts. You will absolutely not need every piece of information, but it is better to have all of them written down. Later, you can trim those and get the exact tidbit of information you need when you research. Writing down all your ideas prior to research helps with better guiding your research; you know the important information you need to find or ideas to explore. 

3. Use Text Marks: While you research the internet and find something important, you may need to catch up later. For this, use text highlighters from your computer and mark it so that it is easily visible later. You can also keep a bookmark of the page on your computer in which you find important information.  

4. Research in Batches: To reduce monotony and keep yourself motivated, research in batches. If you research everything at once, then you will end up burning yourself out and dreading the activity. When you research with a refreshed and calm mind, the outcome will be best, then it will reflect in your writing. Set solid yet reasonable goals for yourself. 

5. Outsource It (If Needed): There is no shame in hiring people to research for you. Of course, you must properly compensate them for their work. If you honor them accurately for their time, they will provide you the best result. Even though doing your own research is good, sometimes you may need to hire people to lower your workload. 

Don’ts During Research:

Below are some things you should try to avoid while researching for writing a book.

Don’t Lose the Flow of Research: It’s a very basic instinct to pick up every possible information when we research. Therefore, there is a huge chance that writers improperly pace information, do not properly contextualize it, or order them confusingly throughout the text. It’s disconcerting for the reader to read without the proper flow or pacing. If something is not pertinent to the subject, stop researching right there and start working with whatever you have. 

Don’t Use Multiple Research Methods at Once: While researching, use a single method at a time. If you are reading through an archive, do not disrupt your methodology by attempting to introduce other forms of research at the same time. Stick to what you are doing before moving on to another method. This way, you won’t confuse yourself and will enjoy a nice research time. 

Don’t Rely on Everything from the Internet: A lot of the information on the internet is not verified or peer-reviewed. This means the chance for misinformation to circulate unchallenged is relatively high. Additionally, some data and statistics posted on the internet are not up to date, so make sure to double-check all the information you find and the sources they are coming from. 

Turn Off the Internet:

1. While you are not researching on the internet, turn it off; otherwise, it can be a huge distraction.
2. Turn off all social media notifications and any other possible interruptions so you can concentrate on your work.
3. If possible, go to a place where you cannot reach a wi-fi connection, thus reducing your desire for random browsing.   

Don’t Plagiarize: It is a common human habit that when we see an eye-catching line or phrase while researching, we tend to copy it thinking it won’t hurt. However, when readers see a line copied from some other book, it can create a negative mindset toward the writer. 

Don’t Rush: Rushing is not the mark of a great writer. Since research is a big part of writing a book, it needs to be done with patience. Rushing can lead to misinformation or less information on a subject. Always set up a time and outline your research every day. Use deadlines to finish up a task, and move on. Also, set up your research schedule during a peaceful and calming part of the day because one can hardly concentrate in a chaotic environment.  

Don’t Limit Yourself to the Research: Research is to refine your knowledge and not accumulate every bit of information you find. Solely confining yourself to the research won’t result in a good book; you need to add your own perspective and take. When you personalize your writing, the readers will connect more with your piece. 

Final Thought

I hope that my blog has helped by giving you some research ideas for writing a book. You don’t need to be an undergrad research student to conduct research for a book. It is easy, simple, and requires a bit of patience. However, the procedure is totally up to you. Try to make your research process as interesting and simple as possible so that it doesn’t feel tedious.