Jan 4, 2010

Only as Good as Your Word

A writer's credibility is important for non-fiction books. But at the same time, if I'm writing about a city in a fictional book, I want to stay true city's landmarks. If my reader has lived in Chicago all their life and something in my writing contradicts a place they know - even if it is fiction, would that mistake cause him/her to close the book or be so distracted that they can't concentrate?

Research for fiction writers is as important as research for non-fiction writers.

My friend Tosca Lee is researching Biblical text and other similar text as she prepares to write a fiction book (based on the Bible) about the life of Judas.

She did the same (extensive research) with a book about Eve from Genesis and another book about a devil that wants to write a book. Her research is time consuming, but in the end, her words paid off. The books have recieved rave reviews.

Just like an actor would research a role if they are playing a doctor or a cancer patient, we the audience need to believe them and not think, "they are just acting".

Writers:
What resources do you use for researching?

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