If we literally followed the advice to, "write what you know," we wouldn't have stories about boy wizards, ruby slippers, or epic wars sweeping across a galaxy. Of course, we might argue that the person who imagined those things does, in fact, know them. Writer's face a bigger challenge when they want to write about something, like a city or a profession, with which they have no experience but others know very well.
There are many ways to learn about something unfamiliar: books, travel, interviews, etc. Between its search engine, maps, and street view, Google makes it particularly easy to pick up a passing familiarity with a topic or take a virtual tour of a place.
But the particular problem for writers is that we generally don't have time to become experts on the topic. So how do you know when you've done enough research to use the unfamiliar thing in your story without giving the people who actually know the thing reason to throw your book across the room?
I use the following guidelines:I have a longer discussion about research techniques when writing about the unfamiliar on my blog, The Laws of Making.
- Your research isn't done until you've discovered something surprising about the topic.
- Your research isn't done until you can explain how the conventional wisdom is right and wrong.
Deren Hansen
CURRENT GIVEAWAYS
Here are my current Giveaway Contests
Pam Gruber Query Critique through March 6th
Allison Hellegers Query Critique and We Are the Fire through March 6th
Let's Get Lucky Giveaway Hop through March 16th
Pride and Premeditation through March 20th
Unicorn Island through March 20th
Upcoming Agent Spotlight Interviews and Guest Posts w/ Debut Authors & Query Critique Giveaways
Caryn Wiseman and Merriam Sarcia Saunders Guest Post and Query Critique Giveaway on 3/15/2021
Jennifer Herrington Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 3/17/2021
Emily Fortney Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 4/14/2021
Agent Peter Knapp and Author Daniel Aleman Guest Post and Query Critique and Indivisible Giveaway on 5/5/2021
Joyce Sweeney Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 5/14/2021
Michelle Hauck Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 5/19/2021
Agent Maura Kye-Cassella and Author Sam Subity Guest Post and The Last Shadow Warrior on 5/24/2021
Agent Spotlight Updates
All agent spotlights and interviews have been updated as of 7/15/2020, and many have been reviewed by the agents. Look for them to be fully updated again in 2023.

Tip Tuesday #68
Guys, I just hit 1000 followers. Thank you! I can't tell you how touched I am you've stuck around when I've been such a quiet blogger the last half of this year. There will be a post on that SOON (cause you know I can't resist an end-of-year post). In the meantime, I have a fabulous tip from Deren Hansen on research! Please visit his blog as thanks.
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woo hoo! CONGRATS!! :D :D
ReplyDeletei love your blog, Casey -- it's a treasure for all aspiring writers seeking sound information about literary agents. you go above and beyond for all of us.
happy holidays!!
You shouldn't hit people Casey. Not 1 person, let alone 1000 people.
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Casey!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, Deren. Now if you could just offer a cure for those of us who hate having to interview people while doing research.
Congrats on the 1000! I've given you a shout-out on my blog this week. This is one of the best writing blogs around.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips, Deren.
Lisa--I'm with you. I hate trying to get people to give me an interview.
Congrats Casey on hitting 1000 followers. That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks Deren for the tips.
Congratulations on the followers, Casey. Well deserved, every one. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful, Casey! Congratulations. I wish you even more success in the year to come. :)
ReplyDeleteLorena
Congrats on the 1000 followers. You have a nice blog here. Loved this tip here, today! :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.
Congrats, Casey!
ReplyDeletebtw, The Laws of Making is a cool blog!
Thank you, Bestie Taherah!
ReplyDeleteI know, Matthew, I know! But... people hit my blog everyday. : )
Thanks Lisa! It would be nice to have a magic charisma/bravery/anxiety pill for interviews.
Thanks Anne! You've developed a fabulous blog yourself.
Thank you Natalie, Kathryn, Lorena, Lynn, and Deb. You're some of my most faithful followers. Thank you! Wishing you all the best in the New Year.
And thank you again, Deren, for the fabulous tips all year long!