RESEARCH

Research is an underrated but important part of the writing life. It can get tedious at times, but, along the way, you may discover something you didn't know before. When researching historical facts, I'm blown away by the numerous sidebars of the actual story. Case in point: how many people know that the Navajos are the largest Indian tribe in the United States? See what I mean! Accuracy is essential to any piece of writing, especially historical facts. The reading audience is very intelligent. If they spot some inaccuracy in the facts, they will point it out, and your story or novel loses some credibility. The dictionary is another ally to the author. There have been many times I didn't know the meaning to a word. After looking in the dictionary, and using the word in a sentence, I comprehended what the author was saying. Research adds a wealth of knowledge to your life as well as to your writing, and the audience benefits also. The journey through mounds of information can be rewarding-and fun,too. Research is your ally, so look at it as a positive aspect of the writing life. You can't go wrong.