HOW TO WRITE WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW... make research for your WIP not suck

Have you ever had a book idea that you feel passionate about, but under qualified to write because you just don't know enough about the subject matter? You're not alone. Whether you are writing about someone's unique life experience, tackling a historical fiction, or scribbling a densely scientific space story, it can often be daunting to tackle the research required to make your story shine. In this episode, Abbie and I are sharing our tried and true research methods to help you take your story to the next level and write a well-researched book you will be proud of.
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[@joehebert789]

My take away from this is to keep an eye on scope creep. Know what you are looking for and stay focused. It's easy to fall into a "you don't know what you don't know" mindset and decide to not set parameters while hoping to stumble upon game-changing information, but you should avoid that temptation.

[@cosmicprison9819]

Re-narrating what you saw someone else doing is the easy part. Once you’ve somewhat understood it, you can transfer it to fictional examples of your own (in your case, a fictional car). For example, in the first draft of one scene, I had two of my characters go on a specific ride in a specific real-world amusement park (Takabisha in Fuji-Q in Japan). And I used onride POV videos to “digitally experience” the exact course of that particular ride. Then I thought “Hang on, my story is set over 350 years in the future; as if current-day rollercoasters were still operating at that point”. Not only because of maintenance, but also because parks constantly need to introduce new stuff. Now I’ve made up fictional rollercoasters for a fictional theme park, but I’m a lot more familiar now with all the technical terms rollercoaster enthusiasts use. I already see myself buying Planet Coaster and building that entire fictional theme park “for real”. Once you’ve started enjoying the research part, watch out for worldbuilder’s disease… 😂

[@billyalarie929]

"write what you know" is really talking about writing from emotions you've felt. put yourself in a position you've been in, and find an analogy for that.

[@YourSteamstress]

As someone who has worked in a museum, a lot of science based people are literally screaming to share their knowledge. It’s literally their favourite thing to do.

[@ashlynohm4241]

Most exciting things I’ve researched for writing: figure skating, wildlife rehabilitation, and Rocky Mountain towns. ☺️

[@typacsk]

All for the same story? (He asked, optimistically)

[@mspratyushasen]

Love how easy you make these parts of writing that usually feel quite burdening and intimidating.

[@candellina6]

This is exactly what I am struggling with my medieval 2 book saga.

[@milomazli]

You two are GENIOUSES!! 😍😍😍 You had me thinking, laughing and wondering!!! ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you!!

[@KAEmmons]

I am so glad you enjoyed this episode and that it was helpful! Thank you for being here, friend! 🙏🌻

[@Mr.Monta77]

‘Genius’ is a word that has totally lost all meaning.

[@elsabernauer483]

Every time, it feels like you guys release a podcast episode talking about a specific issue right when I am having that problem. I spent 4 hours yesterday researching everything from the Big Bang to quarks to inertial confinement fusion, and I got so overwhelmed. All of that felt essential to my story because it’s all around the plot. I stepped away, and now I’ve listened to this episode, and I feel less inadequate to write what I want to write. I’m not info-dumping what I just learned onto the page; I’m weaving all that information in with the characters and what THEY know. Thank you again for your guidance! So happy I found you guys.

[@hannahewoods]

This is such a helpful topic, THANK YOU lol! Forever grateful for this podcast

[@ailsa2434]

Thanks for the encouragement guys!!

[@madelyn932]

Yaay!!! I'm here early!!! I'm plotting something right now, and I need to do some research, so thank you!!!

[@spacewhales2118]

I’m reading the Blood Race now. It’s very good and stokes my curiosity. I’m on chapter 11.

[@worthfightingfor2299]

Third lol! *edit: okay, not third, so maybe like fourth, then. 🤣* (I so need this podcast today - it's the perfect topic for me since I'm writing historical fiction!! ❤)

[@milomazli]

Omg! Such an interesting topic you girls!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@lajourdanne]

5:05 I think this works for historical evens but not all lived experiences. Sometimes our internalized biases often make us think the only reason someone didn’t write about their experience is because they can’t or don’t want to rather than they have they are just not getting the coverage they deserve (ex OWN voices). I’ll keep watching incase you cover that.

[@mico592]

Love this! Thank you for today's video!

[@milomazli]

Im currently researching mental institutions as my MC has a mental breakdown (which by the way I researched is not a mental condition that is in the statistics of mental disorders), so I need to know the daily routine there 😉 its exciting

[@AbdulBasith-st3ok]

Same here but my mc is a criminal locked up in an insane asylum

[@milomazli]

@@AbdulBasith-st3ok amazing!! 😍😍😍

[@MarianneSangild]

Hey. Thanks for this video. I wonder: Some time ago i started to write about vikings. And i was so overwhelmed by people who had a point of view on this time period. If i shared a little chunk of my very early work, there where all sorts of things wrong with it. It stopped me in my proces. an i use your method there? I just think it is difficult, because so many love that time period?

[@spacewhales2118]

I’ve got a request that might be an interesting topic. It might help others too. Pen names, how to come up with an effective and cool pen name? Plus how to go about making it official? Thanks for all the awesomeness that you do!

[@yeraldinerodriguez7513]

Could we request your books at the library? I would go around my entire valley requesting !

[@VioletEmerald]

Why not? Go for it and start requesting them!

[@elisa4620]

Yes. I certainly love it when I discover new creative content late and there's a lot t binge. Even better when the series s complete! :)

[@melinaouzouni6151]

Very helpful✨✨✨

[@cosmicprison9819]

I wonder how much of what I wrote, when looking back at it, goes back to people telling their experiences of that thing on Quora… 😂

[@genevieveponder9672]

As a person who has been a Tax Accountant by trade for the last 2 decades and looking to transition as a writer. I often find myself getting overwhelmed thinking about research before I start. But this video showed me the research process is very similar to the research required for a tax issue. Get a general understanding of the overall tax law and then ask expert for info on the details.

[@gopidakota1317]

wow! we always have everytNice tutorialng to learn! Great to know you!

[@Amy_Mi6]

2nd! 😃

[@jamescarvey2133]

Thanks, very helpful-the prioritizing lesson. I am noted for inundating myself to a point of cerebral asphyxiation. 🙏

[@spacewhales2118]

First haha !

[@cr5906]

Nice video

[@LNRyen]

Can you do a co-write video, like the process of working together