What topics do you need to research to make your novel more authentic? Is there a place or time period you need to learn about?
One of my main characters in the novel I’m writing for NaNoWriMo has amnesia. I’ve seen plenty of movies with characters who have amnesia, so I could try to write without researching.
But that’s a sure way I could botch this character’s situation, right?
I don’t want his situation to seem cheesy or unreal, so I’m going to learn how amnesia affects different people, as well as the different types of amnesia people can contract.
Check out Kristen Keifer’s tips on how to research your novel effectively, including tips on how to interview, search the internet or books, and make good use of museums.
Tauri Cox also provides actionable tips to research a novel in this blog post.
Thanks for these resources, Mandy! I have thrown my hat in the ring for NaNoWriMo for the first time. The novel is one that I started over a year ago and dropped it. The story is about a soldier who has returned from Afghanistan with both external and internal wounds and a Native American girl who has psychic abilities that she is running from. So, we shall see how it goes, but I’m excited to return to the novel. Of course, I will need to read from the beginning of what I have written so I’ll know where to go from there.
That sounds like a great story! I’m resurrecting an old story too. 🙂 Good luck to you! I’d love to hear how it goes.