My podcast was on research and how much and what you need to research and why before you start writing. Here are some of the main points from what I heard:
Basic Idea Behind Their Research:
Howard: Do just enough research to get by. Sci-fi takes a lot of research. Use Doctor Google!
Dan: Most research done at the beginning, front load everything.
Brandon: Fantasy does get things wrong. Yeah you're right, maybe we should do more research. I write fantasy is so that you can write most of the time and not research.
Other Points Made:
- Research keeps you from knocking people out of the story with glaring errors.
- More believability from people who know more than you do on the subject.
- Know what is wrong with your writing if you research.
- Use smoke and mirrors to hide errors, but don't cut corners.
- Everyone is an expert on something, someone will know way more about your topic than you do.
- You cannot learn everything, so learn how to use smoke and mirrors. Hand off problems to another character, have characters that don't know anything about the subject other than what you know.
- Fantasy does not need hyper-detailed and specific. You can get away with things like that unlike Sci-fi where they desire hyperrealism.
- Get a couple of details right and then have the characters move the story forward.
- Too much research pulls you out, it might cause the author to put all research in.
Main Point:
Use smoke and mirrors to hide things that you just cannot research, but never cut corners. Do as much research that you need, but don't go overboard, don't do too little. Remember to do your research!
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