The Importance Of Adequate Research To Plot And Characterization

• Bonnes Nouvelles
• Basics , Bonnes Nouvelles , Writing
• 0 Comments

We have already discussed the elements of plot and characterization earlier on in this article.

However, do we really know the importance of having some astute research behind the scenes, where it comes to working on these two key elements that go into the recipe of writing a novel?

Let’s take a look.

The Importance Of Research In Plot And Characterization

Letting your readers get a whiff of the actual setting. Take, for instance, you are writing a novel on crime. Now, this novel might take you to several different places in the country you are choosing to base your characters in, or even around the world.

It’s really important to have some solid research into these places, thus, in order to give the reader an actual feel of the places you are describing. After all, the purpose of writing is to transport the reader to another place, right? Why not let them get a whiff of what the actual place is all about, then?

Staying true to the facts. The last thing you want to do is to take the reader on a trip to someplace, and then botch up the facts. Remember, the reader out there is well read and so when you are describing a place that he or she might have been to and you get some facts wrong, you will not be creating a good impression.

So, if you’re setting your story in a place and you cannot visit it, at least make sure you get all the facts about that place right, through some pretty sound research. There are plenty of online resources that you can choose from. Make sure you use them well.

When you are writing non-fiction, it’s even more imperative you get the facts straight. If you’re writing a book about say, Winston Churchill, and you get a simple thing like the place of his birth wrong, that knowledgeable reader is going to want to put the book down straight away.

The very reason he is reading the book is to gain some new and insightful knowledge, and if he finds even one mistake in your book, he will be led to believe there will be plenty others, and it is simply not worth his time to finish the book.

The last thing you wish to do is to take your reader for granted.

Whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction, it is absolutely imperative to ensure that you stick to the facts and the best possible way to do that is by doing some really meticulous research into your plot and your characterization.

You have to bear in mind, that even if you are writing a work of fiction, the story must be plausible. So, if you are writing a Young Adult fantasy that is set in outer space, you have to stick to certain facts or you will ensure that your story goes out of orbit.