How to Research for Your Writing: A Practical Guide
Research adds authenticity to writing. But research can also become a trap—a way to avoid the harder work of actually writing. Here's how to research efficiently without losing your momentum.
Write First, Research Later
Keep your writing momentum with Hearth. Mark research needed and keep writing—look things up later.
Start free trialThe Research Trap
Research feels productive. You're learning! You're preparing! But:
- Research doesn't produce pages
- You never feel fully "ready" to write
- Rabbit holes eat hours without story progress
- Most research never appears in the final draft
The goal is writing that feels researched, not becoming an expert. Readers want story, not your research notes.
Principles of Efficient Research
1. Research Enough to Start
Get the basics. Understand the general world of your story. Then start writing. You'll discover what you actually need to know through the process.
2. Just-in-Time Research
Research when you need specific details, not before. Writing reveals what details actually matter to your story. Most of what you think you need, you won't.
3. Mark and Move On
When you hit something you need to research, mark it with a placeholder like [TK] or [RESEARCH]. Keep writing. Look it up later, during editing or after your writing session.
4. Set Time Limits
If you must research during writing time, set a timer. 10 minutes maximum. When it rings, use what you have and move on.
Research Methods
Books and Articles
Primary sources are more interesting than Wikipedia summaries. Memoirs, diaries, and firsthand accounts provide vivid details that make fiction feel authentic.
Expert Interviews
People love talking about their expertise. A 30-minute conversation with a professional can provide more usable details than hours of reading.
Location Visits
If possible, go there. Photos and descriptions can't capture the feeling of a place—the sounds, smells, and small details that make settings come alive.
Immersion
Sometimes you need to experience something. Take a class. Try the activity. Brief experiences can provide authentic sensory details.
Organizing Research
- Keep research notes separate from manuscript
- Organize by topic or story section
- Note sources for fact-checking later
- Highlight the best details—don't try to use everything
How Much Research Is Enough?
You've researched enough when you:
- Feel confident starting the draft
- Know the basics of your world or topic
- Have a few specific, interesting details
- Understand enough to know what to look up later
You don't need to know everything. You need to know enough to fake knowing everything.
Keep Writing, Research Later
Hearth helps you maintain writing momentum. Mark research spots and keep going. Build your daily habit and let research fill in later.
Start writing