by Lisa Carter @LisaCarter27
Readers often ask what kind of research I do for my novels. First, I read everything I can regarding factual topics and law enforcement issues before I ever speak with LE officials. Once I’ve done this and feel I’m ready to ask semi-intelligent questions, I turn to various experts in their field. For example—
Beyond the Cherokee Trail required a research trip retracing the Trail of Tears in addition to correspondence with a noted Cherokee scholar.
Under a Turquoise Sky was an interesting research situation as it involves WITSEC. And that’s all I’ll say on that—loose lips sink ships.
The research for my Coast Guard series—Coast Guard Courtship & Coast Guard Sweetheart—led to a delightful long-distance relationship with Captain Jim, a retired Coast Guard officer.
But here’s the creed researchers, journalists, historians and writers live by or—if not heeded—by which they professionally die:
- Don’t wing it or guess. Check out as many sources on the topic as possible. Determine if the writer had an agenda and filter truth from opinion. Visit multiple sources. Vary research venues. Most important—There’s a Rule of 3 that must agree. Make this your personal and professional mantra in research.
- Take legible, precise notes—copious notes. But steer clear of plagiarism. Err on the side of caution.
- Fact check details in the writing and re-writing stages. Readers will spot errors and this damages their trust in you as an author.
- Don’t fudge historical/contemporary events to bolster your storyline. Understand the difference between “anecdotal” and what really happened. Grandpa’s version of the Battle of Iwo Jima is just one slice of the whole pie—his perspective, not the whole enchilada. Kind of like what cops encounter in trying to interview eyewitnesses to a car crash. Treat anecdotal accounts with caution. The truth may lie in the middle.
- Keep your source material organized—books, articles, links, interviews. Writers are often contractually required to keep these for a certain length of time. Develop reliable sources. Your reputation—and your publishers’—is on the line.
- Research allows authors to construct the most realistic story possible on the subject matter. It grounds the author in truth and frees their imagination to take it from there. Research should pepper your novel, not overwhelm. A little goes a long way.
- Hone your writer instincts. Like the nose of a finely trained K9, learn to sniff out nuggets of research gold.
Finally, pray a lot during the entire process. While writing Under a Turquoise Sky, I discovered a Navajo legend, which when seen through the eyes of faith provided the missing element to the hero’s emotional and spiritual character arc. Coincidence or inspiration? What do you think? Trust God for those serendipitous encounters that can only be explained by Him.
As a writer, where has research taken you?
Multi-published author Lisa Carter likes to describe her romantic suspense novels as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” A Vast and Gracious Tide released in June 2018. The Stronghold won a 2017 Daphne du Maurier. Under a Turquoise Skywon the 2015 Carol Award. Beyond the Cherokee Trail was a 4½ star Romantic Times Top Pick. She also has two contemporary romance series with Love Inspired. Lisa enjoys traveling and researching her next fictional adventure. When not writing, she loves spending time with family and teaching writing workshops. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball.
Join the adventure at http://www.lisacarterauthor.com.
The Conversation
Lisa, thank you for these great nuggets of truth. I spoke to local and state police, revisited the location in my novel. I’m still researching other aspects of my novel by watching documentaries and speaking with people invovled in events prior to what takes place in my novel. I’m being vague, as not to disclose my story. Hee hee. God bless you for all you do for writers.
Thanks so much Cherrilynn for joining the conversation. Your research sounds fascinating. Happy writing—and researching. 🙂
Yes!!!! Yes to all of this!!!!
It’s so obvious when a writer wings it, or makes stuff up!!
Great post on research, Lisa!
I especially resonated with #6 of your Researcher’s Creed. I remember when I was researching for my novel Out of the Cages, which is set in Nepal and India and is the story of two young girls trafficked into slavery into the brothels of Mumbai, I reached a point where I had to remind myself that I was writing fiction. I had done a lot of research, some of if quite difficult to process, but now I needed to craft the story. The research had to support Meena’s story not overwhelm it. It was a tricky balance but a crucial process for writing fiction that rings true.